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Company Description

About KIPP New Jersey

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, 80 fifth graders walked through the doors of our first middle school in Newark, New Jersey and KIPP New Jersey has since grown to educate 8,135 students in grades K-12 across 17 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. 

By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will provide a world-class education to over 10,300 students across fifteen schools in Newark and five in Camden. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

Job Description

Here's what you need to know:

The Director of Regional Operations is responsible for leading and managing operational functions that directly impact schools within each region. This includes overseeing transportation, nutrition, health services, after-school programs, budget management, and enrollment support. Additionally, the role involves spearheading special projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery across the region.

Here's what you'll be doing:

Stakeholder Communication

• Draft communication for Directors of School Operations (DSOs), School Leaders (SLs), and staff on operational and budget-related matters.
• Assist in drafting staff communication on operational topics such as facilities, growth, reopening protocols, and pension information.
• Support Regular board communication and updates.

Budget

• Support regional budget management by conducting budget-to-actuals analysis, monitoring contingencies and LITs (Line Item Transfers), and resolving budget discrepancies.
• Develop tools for sub-budget management and monitor the health/status of regional sub-budgets.
• Collaborate with budget managers across departments to ensure regional budget health and alignment with organizational goals.
• Analyze funding needs, gather input, and share relevant information with the management team.
• Support the development of resource allocation strategies and staffing models for financial sustainability.
• Coordinate annual budget process, changes, and swaps, and communicate updates to relevant stakeholders.

Lead Functional Areas

• Collaborate with KIPP Newark departments to define and implement regional-level work streams, including technology, facilities, safety, nutrition, compliance, nursing, transportation, recruitment, and enrollment.
• Manage specific regional operational work streams delegated by the Managing Director of Operations (MDO).
• Identify and implement network-wide efficiencies to enhance school operations.
• Facilitate communication and build structures to support the work of DSOs and department leads.

Special Projects

• Lead or participate in special projects such as charter renewals, UHA (Urban Hope Act) renewals, and handbook/playbook development.
• Conduct staff and financial modeling analysis.
• Undertake other regional operations projects as needed.

Strategic Initiatives

• Identify opportunities for cross-team collaboration and systemization to improve regional systems implementation and communication
• Develop regional systems and structures across regional teams to streamline processes, communicate effectively with key stakeholders, and hold teams accountable for executing the systems with fidelity.
• Prepare for key regional meetings, including data preparation
• Prepare presentations to guide regularly occurring and one-off meetings including budget communication, initiative launches, etc.
• Create and maintain a document management system for high-priority areas within regional operations
• In conjunction with MDO, co-plan materials for retreats, professional development sessions, and strategic planning meetings

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above essential duties and responsibilities.

Skills and Abilities

• Maintains an unrelenting commitment to continuous improvement,  results-orientation and unwavering determination to ensure students and teachers succeed
• Always makes decisions in the best interest of students, striking the right balance with external constraints
• Ability to build positive relationships and influence others.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, lead projects, meet multiple concurrent deadlines and organize time and priorities
• Robust knowledge of public education, education reform initiatives and the charter school movement
• Maintains supreme flexibility, with an ability to maneuver effectively in the face of uncertainty and transition and to continuously adapt priorities while maintaining focus on goals
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Sense of humor and strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

Must Haves:

• 5+ years of progressively increasing operational management experience in the context of a growing organization or business
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Previous experience in education and/or nonprofit environment strongly preferred
• Familiarity with school-based operational structures strongly preferred

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:

• Weekend and evening work will be necessary to carry out the requirements of this job
• Period presence in person will be required for events, training, events and applicable meetings. 
• Travel to other KTAF regions or for work-related conferences and professional development will be required from time to time

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Additional Information

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, a school laptop, and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area.