School Director of Operations

Legacy Traditional School - Laveen; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading pay

Bonuses and paid time off

Health, dental, vision benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition reimbursement

Onsite childcare discounts

Job summary

Legacy Traditional Schools is seeking a Director of School Operations (DSO) to lead campus operations, safety, and budget execution in collaboration with the Principal. The role emphasizes Lean processes, data-driven improvements, and a strong service culture across non-instructional teams.

You will oversee facilities, vendor contracts, enrollment initiatives, and stakeholder engagement to ensure safe, high-performing schools and continuous growth in a supportive, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in a related field.
• Experience leading operations or school administration.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex projects.
• Data-driven approach to process improvement and efficiency.
• Valid IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card and ability to travel between campuses.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day campus operations across facilities, food service, technology, transportation, and front office systems.
• Co-lead school-wide strategic planning with the Principal, using data dashboards and KPI reviews.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and emergency preparedness across the campus.
• Hire, train, and manage non-instructional staff and foster a service-focused culture.
• Lead enrollment strategies and community engagement to meet growth targets.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Project management

Communication

Change management

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration / Operations Management / Education Leadership / Public Administration

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

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 Overview

Position Overview The 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 Functions

• 1. Campus Operations & Resource Management Oversee 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 Excellence Co-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 Preparedness Ensure 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 Development Hire, 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 Relations Lead 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 Qualifications

Education Master’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Education Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field.

Experience 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.

Credentials 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

Experience 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 desire to be the best! At Legacy Traditional Schools, more than 1,300 of the best educators are changing lives of over 27,000 students every day across Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Whether you're in the classroom, supporting operations, or leading a campus, you'll make a lasting impact by helping students grow academically and personally. We do things the Legacy way by illuminating our educators' talents, uplifting student success, and fueling our school spirit. Our team rises to the challenge of changing lives through education, cultivating bright, curious minds, and engaging positively with our communities. Join our mission‑driven team and experience the energy, purpose, and pride that comes with being part of something truly special. The best performers ask others for support If you need reasonable accommodation with the careers website, application or the hiring process, please contact us at [e-mail] or 480-270-5438.