Managing Director Of Operations

JOB TITLE: Managing Director of Operations

EMPLOYEE TYPE: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Chief Operations Officer

LOCATION: Chicago, IL

Job Overview

The Managing Director of Operations is responsible for Network Operations - overseeing and improving operations across the network of all CICS schools and the Network Office. The Managing Director of Operations plays a critical leadership role in implementing new operational strategy, ensuring that a high level of service delivery is maintained and that processes and procedures are clear so that schools can focus on educating students. In addition to ensuring that everything runs smoothly, this person will identify and lead opportunities to achieve efficiencies, reduce costs, streamline processes, or otherwise enable CICS to better serve its schools and students.

Responsibilities

Operations Strategy and Execution

• Manage content creation and facilitation of the CICS Operations Working Group to connect operational leaders across the network, distribute information and gather feedback on potential operations enhancements
• Collaborate with the Chief and serve as a thought partner when needed on operations including facilities-related planning, capital improvement strategy, vendor management, food services, ERATE, school safety, and School Management Organization (SMO) service delivery
• Supports the Chief Operations Officer (COO) in management of the team and implementation of the operational strategy

Service Delivery and Process improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance transparency, streamline communications, reduce redundancy and turnaround time, and improve service quality to schools
• Establish and manage relationships with school management operators, school leaders, and school-based staff
• Develop and test innovative solutions to improve operator and school leader experience
• Advise School Leaders and Operational Leaders in how to consider and weigh school and community needs when making important decisions
• Visit all CICS campuses on a regular basis (e.g., visit each school at least twice per school year to connect school leaders to identify any issues, provide guidance, gather suggestions for improvements) focused on providing feedback aligned to our shared goals

Growth

• In collaboration with the COO and Chief Schools Officer (CSO), conduct an curate a set of operational back-office procedures and service offerings that are easily replicable at other campuses
• Primary consultant and lead for any back office or growth opportunities under the purview of the operations functional areas

Safety, Security, and Emergency Management

• Collaborate with Schools/Governance on relationship between safety and security incidents and student behavior incidents
• Establish systems, processes and tools to effectively monitor progress against goals and make recommendations to partner SMOs/schools and programs when needed
• Partner with Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Office of Safety and Security (OSS) on response and improvement of school plans
• Monitor and support campuses by responding in-person when an incident impacting student or campus safety takes place
• Research, review and make network-wide recommendations on emergency management plans and critical response practices

Vendor and Contract Management

• Manage oversight and relationships with multiple vendors, including contract creation and execution quality of deliverables and monitoring of timelines for network office and school operators
• Identify opportunities to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs by consolidating vendors when appropriate
• Research vendor services and manage selection process (e.g., Request For Proposal process) after obtaining thorough understanding from end users of service/product requirements

Leadership and Management

• Provide coaching and development to your direct report, the Director of Operations
• Work closely with CICS Finance to resolve any food accounting issues, prepare for audits, budget for food program improvements, and communicate expected revenue to campuses
• Food Service Program (i.e. Determine vision and manage adherence to its tenets for CICS Food program, food service company selection, contract, and improvements)
• Liaise with Director of Operations to monitor quality and advise on future enhancements in the following areas:
• Information Technology/Federal E-Rate Program (i.e. evaluate enhancements, hold vendors accountable)
• Insurance (including business liability, workers comp, property, auto, cyber, crime, student accident, and pollution coverage and advise on the feasibility of adding additional lines of insurance (e.g., pollution, emergency management)
• Work closely with CICS Finance to resolve any E-Rate accounting issues, prepare for audits, and budget for E-Rate expenditures

Knowledge And Skills

• Excellent people/team management - You have the ability to listen to motivate your team, listen to their suggestions and concerns, hold them accountable for delivering excellence, and serve as a thought partner when needed.
• Excellent communication skills - You can translate complex content to key decision-makers and stakeholders, adapting framing and messaging based upon the audience
• Comfortable setting your own path - You thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, able to strategically prioritize time and competing initiatives, focusing on those that will have the greatest impact on students
• Creativity - You have experience solving complicated and multi-faceted problems and generating a variety of innovative, effective solutions
• Drive and commitment to realizing results - You anticipate and work to overcome challenges, persevere and meet goals
• Service orientation - You are committed to providing high levels of service to various internal and external stakeholders
• Cultivating relationships and partnerships - You have a proven record of collaborating with team members and partners, as well as school leaders and school staff, to achieve ambitious goals; you quickly build trusting relationships and understand personal motivations; you value differing opinions and seek out dissenting perspectives to strengthen solutions
• Strong project management - You can balance the big picture with the necessary attention to detail while maintaining a high bar for quality and high level of productivity

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree required
• Facilities and capital improvement experience preferred
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills required
• Minimum 5 years’ experience leading school operations, to include project and contract management, budget planning and management, school safety initiatives
• Experience working in a school required
• Safety and security experience preferred
• Proficiency in Google Suite required (i.e. Docs, Slides, Sheets, Gmail)

TRAVEL

This position is based out of Chicago International Charter School’s office location in the heart of downtown Chicago. At CICS, we believe in offering a hybrid work environment that balances the importance of collaboration with flexibility. Employees are expected to be in person at a CICS location at least 2 days a week and may work from home on other days. Local travel to various campuses is required.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $129,000-150,000. Incoming salaries are determined based on the candidate’s experience and internal equity.

Statement of Non Discrimination

CICS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic or classification protected by law.