Startup School Operations Leader

Hebrew Public; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hebrew Public is launching Olam Stamford, a tuition-free public charter school serving preK–8. The Founding Director of Operations will partner with the Head of School to turn vision into startup systems, build the operations team, and guide families and vendors through opening in 2027–28.

You will lead transportation, facilities, safety, HR, budgeting, and community engagement, hire and coach staff, ensure compliance, and create a ready-to-learn environment as the school grows.

Qualifications

• A minimum of six years of related experience, including operational leadership in schools or youth-serving organizations.
• Startup experience, particularly launching a school or charter school operations.
• Commitment to Hebrew Public’s global citizenship, academic excellence, and diverse school communities.
• Ability to build systems and processes amid ambiguity and growth.
• Ownership, accountability, and collaborative leadership with staff and families.

Responsibilities

• Build the School and Its Systems: translate the school vision into a startup plan with milestones and timelines for opening and growth.
• Design, launch, and manage systems for transportation, meals, facilities, safety, student records, attendance, data reporting, and family communications.
• Identify gaps early, propose practical solutions, and execute with minimal direction.
• Manage complex projects with sound judgment, prioritizing urgent vs important, communicating progress and tradeoffs.
• Oversee compliance and accurate records in partnership with network specialists.
• Partner with Students, Families, and the Community: build a welcoming community and coordinated engagement from inquiry to ongoing experience.
• Lead student recruitment and enrollment operations including admissions, lottery, waitlists, registrations, transfers, and onboarding.
• Provide a customer-service mindset to interactions, ensuring families feel heard and supported.
• Strengthen attendance by addressing barriers and partnering with families on practical solutions.
• Build relationships with community organizations, coordinate events, and incorporate feedback.
• Lead People and Build Team Capacity: own startup operational work and later build an operations team.
• Equip staff to use systems confidently and understand procedures.
• Serve as liaison to network HR on hiring, benefits, leave tracking, and records.
• Steward Resources and Create a Ready-to-Learn Environment: support budget development, monitor spending, and align resources with launch milestones.
• Manage purchasing, vendors, contracts, and service providers per network policies.
• Coordinate facilities readiness, technology, and asset tracking to create a safe, welcoming environment.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR, Technology, and Operations teams while owning school-level execution.

Skills

Startup leadership

School operations

Community engagement

Project management

Job description

Hebrew Public is launching Olam Stamford, a tuition-free public charter school serving preK–8. The Founding Director of Operations will partner with the Head of School to turn vision into startup systems, build the operations team, and guide families and vendors through opening in 2027–28.

You will lead transportation, facilities, safety, HR, budgeting, and community engagement, hire and coach staff, ensure compliance, and create a ready-to-learn environment as the school grows.