Director of Operations

Roessler-chadwick Foundation; Ephrata (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 215,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, CA, seeks a Director of Operations to lead non-academic functions, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance across a 45-acre campus serving about 850 students and 200 staff.

Reporting to the CFO/COO, the DOO will oversee campus safety, EHS, mail, food services, logistics, risk management, and business continuity, building strong partnerships with departments and communities. This strategic role progresses with leadership development and succession planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, public administration, risk management, education administration, or related field.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible operational leadership experience.
• Experience in risk management, emergency preparedness, environmental health and safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for campus safety, security, emergency plans and drills.
• Coordinate EHS programs, regulatory compliance, and safety training.
• Oversee mail services, dining services, and vendor contracts.
• Lead logistics for events, housing, and campus operations.
• Support enterprise risk management and business continuity planning.
• Manage budgets, reporting, and collaborations with senior leadership.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Relationship management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, public administration, risk management, education administration, or related field

Job description

Job Title: Director of OperationsDivision/Department: AdministrationReports to: CFO/COODirect Reports: 3-4Location: Palos Verdes, CAType of position/FLSA: Exempt/SalariedSalary Band: 12 Month position Other: Occasional evening/weekend work required in support of school events, emergencies, and operational needsSalary Range: $215,000-$265,000Position SummaryChadwick School is accepting applications for a newly created position entitled Director of Operations (DOO). The DOO is an administrative leader responsible for the strategic oversight, coordination, and continuous improvement of essential non-academic operational functions that support the mission, safety, and daily life of the school community. Serving approximately 850 students and 200 employees across a 45-acre campus, including 21 faculty/staff residential housing units, the Director helps ensure that operational services are safe, efficient, compliant, responsive, and aligned with the school's educational priorities and institutional values.The Director of Operations reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer (CFO/COO) and serves as a member of the school's senior administrative leadership team. The DOO will collaborate with the Business Office, facilities department, department directors, staff, academic leaders, families, consultants, regulatory agencies, vendors, and community stakeholders to maintain a safe and thriving learning environment and to support the school's strategic priorities.This position is designed as a strategic operational leadership role with increasing responsibility over time. Working in close partnership with the CFO/COO, the Director of Operations will assume progressively broader leadership responsibilities across the school's operational functions as part of the school's long-term leadership succession strategy.Essential ResponsibilitiesCampus Safety and SecurityProvide strategic leadership and oversight of all campus safety and security operationsReview, implement, and regularly evaluate comprehensive safety, emergency preparedness, and crisis response plans, and will revise as neededCoordinate emergency drills, tabletop exercises, and incident response procedures.Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to campus safety and emergency managementServe as a member of the school's emergency response and crisis management teams.Oversee security personnel, visitor management systems, access control systems, and campus surveillance technologiesOversee emergency communications systems and protocols, including mass notification platforms and emergency messaging proceduresPartner with school leadership to promote a culture of safety, preparedness, and situational awareness throughout the community.Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)Provide support for the school's environmental health and safety programs and regulatory compliance effortsCoordinate compliance activities related to workplace safety requirements and applicable environmental regulationsPartner with Facilities, Human Resources, Health and Academic Departments to identify, assess, and mitigate environmental and occupational risksSupport safety training initiatives and maintain appropriate documentation and reporting processesMonitor evolving regulatory requirements and recommend operational improvements to maintain compliance and reduce risk exposureMail ServicesDirect Liaison with representatives from USPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other servicesOversee campus mail operations, package management, and distribution systems, revising as needed in conjunction with Facilities and other departmentsEnsure efficient processing and delivery of internal and external mail, parcels, and special deliveriesDevelop procedures to support increasing package volumes associated with residential housing and campus operationsFood ServicesDirect Liaison with onsite school dining service representativesPartner with CFO/COO to oversee school dining services and relationships with food service providersMonitor operational performance, food quality, customer service, and regulatory compliance in close partnership with dining service representative, facilities department and school leadershipPartner with dining provider to support student wellness initiatives, dietary accommodations, sustainability goals, and community events.Review and manage service contracts, budgets, and operational metrics in partnership with the CFO/COOLogistics and Campus Operations SupportCollaborate with the Facilities Director to help coordinate major operational logistics for school events, ceremonies, summer and community programs, and special initiativesDevelop systems and procedures that improve operational efficiency and service deliveryCollaborate with facilities, advancement and academic departments to support evolving campus needsEnterprise Risk Management and Business ContinuityPartner with the CFO/COO in leading the school's enterprise risk management programSupport the identification, assessment, and monitoring of strategic, operational, financial, reputational, and compliance risks across the institutionSupport the development and implementation of mitigation strategies and risk reporting processes for the senior leadership team and the Board of TrusteesSupport the CFO/COO in the administration of the school's property, casualty, and commercial insurance programs, including policy renewals, broker relationships, claims management, and annual applications and regulatory filingsCompletes all new and renewal applications, licensing, reports and filings to meet California and Federal guidelinesCoordinate with Human Resources to determine and manage all required employee safety and training programsSupport and coordinate the school's business continuity and disaster recovery planning program in partnership with the Head of School, CFO/COO and senior leadershipCoordinate continuity planning among operational departments and ensure preparedness for disruptions affecting campus operations or educational programsSupport resilience initiatives that strengthen the school's ability to respond to and recover from emergencies and significant operational disruptionsConditional Use Permit (CUP)Work closely with Head of School, CFO/COO and school leadership to support CUP effortsCoordinate operational compliance activities associated with the school's Conditional Use Permit and related LA County and municipal agreements including car counting/reporting and resolving violationsReview and track permit requirements, operational restrictions, reporting obligations, and renewal timelinesCollaborate with school leadership, consultants, legal counsel, and local agencies regarding permit-related mattersSupport documentation, community communication, and reporting requirements associated with entitlement obligationsCommunity and Neighborhood RelationsServe as the school's primary operational liaison to the adjacent Homeowners Association and neighborhood stakeholdersFoster collaborative relationships with neighboring residents and community organizationsAddress concerns related to traffic, parking, events, campus activities, and operational impactsParticipate in community meetings and represent the school's interests in a professional and collaborative mannerSupport positive long-term relationships between the school and surrounding communityBudgeting and Vendor ManagementDevelop and manage departmental operating budgetsEstablish key performance indicators and service standards for operational programsEnsure fiscal responsibility while maintaining high-quality service deliveryReview service agreements and vendor contracts and inform CFO/COO of recommendationsLeadership and CollaborationSupervise 3-4 operational staff and contracted service providers as assignedBuild strong partnerships across all academic and administrative departmentsProvide regular operational reports, analysis and recommendations to the CFO/COO, HOS and other senior leaders, as neededParticipate in strategic planning, institutional initiatives, and long-range campus projectsContribute to leadership discussions regarding operational strategy, risk management, and community engagementProfessional development: In consultation with the CFO/COO, attend seminars, conferences and workshops to remain current and share best practicesComplete other duties as assignedQualificationsRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, public administration, risk management, education administration, or a related fieldMinimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible operational leadership experienceDemonstrated experience managing complex operational systems and multiple service functions simultaneouslyExperience in risk management, emergency preparedness, environmental health and safety, and regulatory complianceStrong project management, organizational, and analytical skillsExcellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship management abilitiesParticipation in the school's emergency response and incident management program is requiredCollaborative Team PlayerSense of HumorPreferred QualificationsProven leader with experience in an independent school, higher education institution, municipality, healthcare organization, or similarly complex organizationExperience with enterprise risk management and business continuity planning programsLeadership role in campus safety and securityFamiliarity with Conditional Use Permit requirements and community relations in educational settingsProfessional certifications in emergency management, risk management, security management, business continuity, environmental health and safety, or operations leadershipMaster's degree in a related fieldCore CompetenciesStrategic ThinkingCollaborationFlexibilityOperational ExcellenceCrisis and Emergency ManagementEnterprise Risk ManagementRelationship BuildingCommunication and DiplomacyRegulatory ComplianceProject ManagementFinancial StewardshipProblem SolvingLeadership and Team DevelopmentPhysical RequirementsThe position requires regular movement throughout a large campus environment, attendance at evening and weekend events as necessary, and participation in emergency response activities during incidents and campus emergencies.WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTRequired to lift and carry up to a maximum of 25 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.Occasionally required to use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.Walking and being outdoors for somewhat extended periods of time on a regular basis is part of the job as the school sits on 45 acres of land.Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.Will extensively use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.CLEARANCESRequired Screenings: TB assessment Clearances: Livescan background checkNote: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the position.By submitting an Employment Application, I hereby understand and agree that consistent with its obligations under Education Code Section 44051 subd. (a)(2) and as a part of the application consideration process, Chadwick School will contact each Educational Employer and inquire about your employment history including, without limitation, whether I was the subject of any credible complaints of, substantiated investigations into, or discipline for, egregious misconduct, as defined in Education Code Section 44932, subd. (a)(1).