School Director of Operations

Vertex Education; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Legacy Traditional Schools is seeking a Director of School Operations to lead campus operations, safety, and enrollment initiatives. You will manage facilities, food service, technology, transportation, and front office, while partnering with the Principal to execute strategic plans and drive continuous improvement.

The role emphasizes Lean methodologies, data-driven decision making, and cross-functional team leadership to support student outcomes and school growth.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Education Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years in a leadership role in operations or school administration.
• At least 2 years of experience managing cross-functional teams and overseeing complex projects or systems.
• At least 2 years of experience using data and structured routines to drive process improvement and operational efficiency.
• Must be able to obtain and hold a valid IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally between campuses as needed.
• Preferred qualifications include experience in charter schools or K-12 public school systems.
• Formal Lean Six Sigma training or certification is a plus.
• Experience with student recruitment, enrollment growth strategies, or community engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day campus operations across facilities, food service, technology, transportation, and front office systems.
• Align resources with academic priorities through budgeting, purchasing, and grant execution.
• Co-lead school-wide strategic planning with the Principal and drive operational goals.
• Apply Lean principles such as 5S to streamline processes and reduce waste.
• Lead enrollment strategies and campus events to meet targets.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and emergency preparedness and coordinate with authorities.

Skills

Operations leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional teamwork

Budgeting

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree in Education Leadership

Job description

Ignite your desire to be the best!Imagine an energy so positive, so powerful, it ignites your desire to be the best, inspires you to bring out the best in others, and fuels your aspiration to do the best work of your career.At Legacy Traditional Schools we do things a special way, in a way that ignites our desire to be the best, illuminates our educators’ best talents, lights up the minds of our students, and fuels our school spirit. We shine the brightest when we raise our hands and rise to the challenge of changing lives through education, cultivating bright curious minds, achieving award-winning results, upholding our values, and engaging positively with our students, parents and communities.Position OverviewThe Director of School Operations (DSO) plays a mission-critical role in creating a school environment where students and teachers can thrive. As the operational leader of the campus and partner to the Principal, the DSO ensures that every system — from facilities and safety to staffing, enrollment, and budget execution — functions efficiently, strategically, and in alignment with school goals. This role drives continuous improvement through data and Lean practices, fosters a culture of accountability and service across non-instructional teams, and directly supports school growth by enhancing the student and family experience. Through this work, the DSO helps remove barriers to learning and ensures all students have access to safe, welcoming, and high-functioning schools.Essential Functions1. Campus Operations & Resource ManagementOversee day-to-day campus operations across facilities, food service, technology, transportation, and front office systems.Ensure safe, clean, and well-maintained physical environments that support learning and comply with all regulatory standards.Manage vendor relationships, procurement, and logistics to optimize efficiency and minimize disruptions to instruction.Align resources with academic priorities through effective budget management, purchasing, and grant execution.2. Strategic Planning & Operational ExcellenceCo-lead school-wide strategic planning alongside the Principal, driving operational goals that support student outcomes.Use data dashboards, daily huddles, and KPI reviews to track performance and quickly resolve issues.Apply Lean principles such as 5S and root-cause analysis to streamline processes and reduce waste.Design and maintain systems that promote continuous improvement, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.3. Safety, Compliance & Emergency PreparednessEnsure full compliance with health, safety, and workplace regulations, including training, reporting, and inspections.Oversee campus safety protocols including emergency plans, drills, and arrival/dismissal logistics.Maintain compliance with operational audits, state/federal grants, and funding requirements.Coordinate with local authorities, first responders, and regulatory agencies as needed.4. Team Leadership & Talent DevelopmentHire, train, and manage non-instructional staff, ensuring role clarity, operational excellence, and a strong service culture.Set performance goals, conduct evaluations, and coach team members toward continuous growth and improvement.Foster a culture of high expectations, ownership, and customer service across all operations functions.Model professional leadership through clear communication, reliability, and solution-oriented problem-solving.5. Enrollment, Community Engagement & External RelationsLead campus-based enrollment strategies in partnership with the Principal and Marketing team to meet or exceed targets.Host recruitment events, open houses, and school tours that showcase the school’s mission and culture.Build relationships with local partners, businesses, and community groups to support visibility and enrollment growth.Oversee and support Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO/PTO) engagement and campus events.Required QualificationsEducationMaster’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Education Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field.ExperienceMinimum of 3 years in a leadership role in operations or school administration.At least 2 years of experience managing cross-functional teams and overseeing complex projects or systems.At least 2 years of experience using data and structured routines to drive process improvement and operational efficiency.CredentialsMust be able to obtain and hold a valid IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally between campuses as needed.Preferred QualificationsExperience working in a charter school or K–12 public school system.Formal training or certification in Lean Six Sigma or related continuous improvement frameworks.Experience with student recruitment, enrollment growth strategies, or community engagement initiatives.Enjoy the benefits of being the best!Education is not a spectator sport, so we encourage you to work hard, learn, have fun, and always do your best. We thrive when cultivating curious minds, achieving award-winning results, upholding our values, and engaging positively with our students, parents, and communities. Every team member, from our support staff to our leadership team has knowledge to share, skills to teach, inspiration to offer, and a passion for helping others learn and perform their best.Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses and paid time-off. Care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, discounted onsite childcare and student enrollment priority. Invest in your future with retirement plans and enhance your growth with promotion opportunities, training, mentoring, and tuition reimbursement.Ignite your career and apply today!