SY 26 - 27 Assistant Principal of Operations

Ascendlearning; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend is Brooklyn’s premier K‑12 public charter network seeking an Assistant Principal of Operations to lead school-level operational systems enabling teaching and learning. You will oversee facilities, safety, budgeting, and staff development in a fast-paced environment.

Partner with the principal to drive equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement while coaching operations staff and ensuring compliance with regulations and policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required; graduate degree preferred.
• Three to five years of professional experience in education operations.
• Proven success in leading complex systems and teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and improve operational systems for daily school functioning.
• Oversee facilities, safety, budgeting, and vendor relationships.
• Lead staff development and accountability for results.
• Use data to drive continuous improvement of operations.
• Advance equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in day-to-day operations.

Skills

Communication skills

Operations management

Team leadership

DEI leadership

Project management

Facilities management

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA/MPA or equivalent

Job description

About Ascend

Ascend is Brooklyn’s premier K‑12 public charter network, committed to graduating high‑achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures—not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students’ brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long‑term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture‑building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

About the Role

The Assistant Principal of Operations (APO) is a school‑based leader responsible for building and sustaining exceptional operational systems that enable teaching and learning to thrive. In close partnership with the Principal, the APO sets the bar for operational excellence, ensuring that the school runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently every day.

The APO oversees all non‑academic operations, including facilities, compliance, budgeting, school operations staff management, and day‑to‑day systems execution. This role requires strong judgment, urgency, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced school environment.

APOs report directly to the Principal and receive coaching support from the Senior Director of Operations. As a core member of the school leadership team, the APO plays a critical role in shaping school culture, supporting staff and students, and ensuring financial and operational sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management & Systems

• Design, implement, and continuously improve systems and processes that support daily operations and long‑term school goals.
• Own and execute all operational workflows, ensuring smooth, predictable, and high‑quality day‑to‑day functioning of the school.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, emergency preparedness, and state and federal regulations.
• Oversee facilities management, space usage, and vendor relationships.

Strategic Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with the Principal to lead the school’s operational vision and execution.
• Use data to evaluate operational effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Anticipate risks, identify root causes, and proactively address operational challenges.
• Support school‑wide initiatives that advance student outcomes and staff effectiveness.

School Culture & Community

• Contribute to a positive, inclusive school culture that reflects Ascend’s values and high expectations.
• Plan and manage events and systems that strengthen relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Foster a welcoming, joyful, and well‑run school environment for all stakeholders.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, manage, coach, and develop school‑based operations staff.
• Set clear expectations, provide actionable feedback, and hold team members accountable for results.
• Build strong, collaborative teams grounded in trust, clarity, and continuous growth.

Equity & Inclusion

• Embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti‑racism principles into operational systems and decision‑making.
• Build staff capacity to lead operations with an equity‑centered mindset.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with network operations, finance, HR, and academic teams.
• Ensure alignment between school‑level execution and network‑wide systems and priorities.

Staff and Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to the School Principal.
• Receives coaching support from the Senior Director of Operations.
• Supervises school‑based operations staff.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree, with an advanced degree (MPA, MBA, or equivalent experience) is preferred
• Three to five years of professional experience, preferably in an educational organization or a school
• Demonstrated success managing complex systems and leading teams.

Skills and Traits

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of school‑based operations, including facilities, scheduling, compliance, and resource management
• Proven ability to design, execute, and refine systems that drive smooth daily operations and long‑term school success
• Strong people management and coaching skills, with a clear focus on accountability and professional growth
• Excellent project management, organizational, and problem‑solving skills in fast‑paced environments
• Demonstrated ability to lead with a racial equity lens and embed DEI and anti‑racist practices into operations
• Clear, effective communicator who collaborates well with school leaders, staff, families, and network partners
• High level of ownership, adaptability, and follow‑through
• Strong alignment with Ascend’s mission, values, and commitment to educational equity

Staff and Reporting Relationships

The Assistant Principal of Operations reports to the principal and supervises the operations staff. Network Directors of Operations (NDOs) have a dotted line coaching relationship with APOs.

Compensation

Salary Range: $90,000 - $115,000, determined based on experience and education level using an equitable compensation scale.