Director of Operations

KIPP; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off incl. holidays and PTO

Adoption/Parental leave

Job summary

KIPP Nashville Public Schools seeks a Director of Operations to drive the efficient running of the school, partnering with the Principal and leadership team to implement strong operational systems. The role emphasizes innovation, hands-on problem solving, and continuous improvement across enrollment, attendance, budgeting, transportation, facilities, and HR.

The Director will manage the operations team, coordinate with vendors and staff, and lead efforts to ensure students and families have

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 4+ years of work experience; 2+ years in K‑12 school operations preferred.
• Experience managing school budgets and procurement processes.
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or Arabic preferred.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; ability to learn new tech (Infinite Campus, Slack, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Lead school operations and report to Principal and regional Head of School Operations.
• Oversee enrollment, attendance, and front-office processes.
• Manage operations team, interns, and volunteers; staff development.
• Oversee finance: budgeting, bids, purchases, and credit cards.
• Coordinate transportation, food services, and facilities management.
• Collaborate with HR on onboarding, licensing, and staff attendance.
• Maintain external communications and reporting to families and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with EEO guidelines and equitable practices.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Communication

Relationship building

Project management

Value-driven leadership

Spanish/Arabic preferred

Microsoft Office/Google Workspace

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Infinite Campus

Slack

Video conferencing tools

Job description

Location: KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary School

About KIPP Nashville Public Schools

KIPP Nashville Public Schools is a network of high-performing, free, open-enrollment K-12 schools that has been committed to positively affecting student outcomes in Nashville since 2005. KIPP Nashville is part of the acclaimed KIPP Network, which educates 100,000+ students nationwide and supports students from Pre-Kindergarten through college, career and beyond. Through the KIPP Forward program, our team helps students identify their career of highest aspiration and develop the skills and confidence to chase their dreams. KIPP Nashville currently operates 3 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools and we are excited to open our doors to one additional school in 2025 in response to strong community demand.

The mission of KIPP Nashville is together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence they need to pursue the paths they choose - college, career and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our core values are GROWTH, TEAM, and SHINE. If you share in these beliefs and values, if you have a proven willingness to do what it takes for students to be their best, if you thrive in an environment that is both collaborative and entrepreneurial, then you are already aKIPPster.

Job Description

Position Overview

The Director of Operations is the operational leader of the school and is critical to the successful and efficient running of KIPP Nashville schools. This role ensures the implementation and maintenance of clear operational systems that allow the Principal and Assistant Principals the opportunity to focus on students, families and instruction. The Director of Operations is an individual who embraces innovation and continuous improvement, is willing to get their hands dirty, and relishes the challenge of finding ways to work smarter. The Director of Operations will report to the Principal and regional Head of School Operations.

Responsibilities of the Director of Operations will include, but are not limited to:

Recruit and Enroll Students

• Ensure full enrollment of the school at all times
• Refine and execute student recruitment plans including mailings, phone calls, events, etc.
• Refine and execute student enrollment plans

Team Management

• Directly manage school operations team, operational interns, and volunteers
• Manage growth and development of operations team members

School-Wide Operational Systems Management

• Work in close partnership with Principal and leadership team to ensure aligned procedures for school
• Refine and execute student attendance plan to meet school and regional goals
• Ensure accurate collection of daily student attendance in student information systems
• Ensure contact with late/absent students
• Design procedures for and manage daily student arrival and dismissal, including tardiness and early dismissal
• Design procedures for and assist families and visitors
• Ensure response to all incoming communication for school
• Manage regular external communications including behavior and academic reports, school newsletter, and notification of unexpected changes
• Enure all staff and students have all supplies and materials needed to be successful

Finance

• Partner with the Principal to build and monitor school budget
• Obtain bids; make, receive, distribute, and track purchases
• Manage school credit cards including collecting/submitting receipts

Transportation and Food Services

• Oversee daily student bus transportation to and from school
• Coordinate school field lessons
• Serve as a liaison between school and transportation team, and serve as primary point of contact for bus issues
• Ensure meals are served on time and food services staff have the necessary tools
• Serve as a liaison between school and food services team, and serve as primary point of contact for any issues

Human Resources

• Serve as liaison between regional Talent Team and employees regarding onboarding, licensing, and any other issues
• Manage entry/exit process for new/departing employees
• Design and oversee staff attendance and PTO tracking process

Physical Environment of School

• Ensure teachers have the necessary classroom tools they need
• Oversee maintenance of all school spaces
• Serve as liaison for student uniforms vendors and
• Manage and oversee the school’s facilities and physical condition of building and site

Technology and Assessment

• Serve as a liaison between school and technology and data teams to ensure all tech and software needs are met
• Serve as the assessment coordinator for the school (i.e. attend district assessment meetings, receive and return assessment materials)
• Manage campus-wide IT including internet, server, landline phones, copiers, printers are all in working order

Growth Mindset

• Willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to change and improvement
• Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year

Other

• Perform duties such as monitoring lunch, arrival, dismissal, covering classes, etc.
• Carry out any additional daily school duties as decided upon by the Principal
• Ensure effective field lessons, school events, and extracurricular activities
• Model school core values and character strengths at all times

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Four or more years of work experience highly preferred
• 2+ years experience in K-12 school operations strongly preferred; prior experience as a teacher a plus
• Experience working with under-resourced communities, families, and/or students
• Demonstrated success in building relationships and trust with leaders, teachers, students, parents and community
• Demonstrated success with design and execution of logistics
• Experience managing and influencing teams and individuals to meet specific and strategic outcomes
• Demonstrated success managing a large budget
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or Arabic preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Google applications (Sheets, Docs, Google Drive), with the ability to quickly learn new technologies (Infinite Campus, Slack, video conferencing apps, etc.)

Desired Characteristics

• Unwavering commitment to KIPP Nashville’s mission, students, families, and community
• Firm belief in affirming the identity of students, families and staff
• Demonstrates excitement in growing students into their highest selves
• Excellent communication skills with diverse constituents; clear writer, facilitator and speaker and eagerness to collaborate
• Demonstrate commitment to continue their professional development individually, eager to offer and respond positively to feedback
• Ability to tackle multiple projects and initiatives at once with a strong sense of organization, prioritization, follow through and results orientation
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, be flexible, and willing to go above and beyond to meet the varied needs of students

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary is competitive, commensurate with experience, and includes benefits. This position is exempt, and will work and be compensated according to a 12 month administrative schedule.
• Robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance policy options. Application for these benefits may be made immediately upon employment. The policy is effective upon the first of the month following the first day of work.
• The vacation package for salaried employees includes 29 paid days throughout the 12 month work schedule (including holidays, fall break, thanksgiving break, winter break). In addition, employees in this role are allotted 6 PTO days. Employees are allotted an additional 2 days after every 2 consecutive years of employment. Eligible staff members receive payment for unused PTO days at the end of the fiscal year.
• Adoption/Parental Caregiver Leave- up to 10 weeks parental leave for the primary caregiver and 2 weeks parental leave for the secondary caregiver paid at 100%.
• Leaders are provided with laptop computers with access to the internet and or email to assist them in performing their job responsibilities.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

KIPP Nashville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.