Director of Operations

Preferred Start Date: January 2027
Location: Prodeo Academy St. Paul Campus
Reports To: Network Director of Operations
Supervises: Lead Operations Associate, Operations Assistants (2)

The Director of Operations leads the people and systems that keep the campus safe, welcoming, and ready for learning. As a member of the campus leadership team, the DOO partners closely with principals to protect instructional time, strengthen family experience, and meet enrollment and retention goals. The DOO manages the campus operations team, leads daily execution across all academies, and turns network expectations into reliable campus practices. This role combines people leadership, sound judgment, hands-on problem solving, systems building, and a commitment to operational excellence.

Prodeo Academy is a growing network of public schools serving communities in Columbia Heights and St. Paul. Our schools offer a meaningful education solution and aim to close the achievement gap through data driven instruction in a culture based on a foundation of five core values: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Development and Engagement. Shared expectations around these values enhance the opportunity for our scholars to reach their full potential. We are looking for team members committed to helping our students access greater opportunities, achieve future success, and contribute to the vitality of our community.

Essential Functions

The following duties represent the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Leadership and Team Development

• Manage, coach, and develop campus operations staff through clear responsibilities, regular check-ins, feedback, goal setting, and performance reviews.
• Partner with Talent and the NDOO on hiring, onboarding, staff development, and performance management; maintain coverage and cross-training for essential functions.
• Co-lead campus planning with principals, communicate priorities, and build a team culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Use the Operations Playbook, documented procedures, data, and observation to manage projects, anticipate risks, and improve systems.

Enrollment and Retention

• Lead campus execution toward enrollment and retention goals, keeping grade-level enrollment, available seats, and family needs central to campus planning.
• Coordinate with the Enrollment Team on prospective-family follow-up, tours, recruitment events, applications, registration, and timely movement from an offered seat to attendance.
• Own campus readiness for new scholars, including records, class placement coordination, transportation, health needs, family orientation, and confirmed start dates.
• Lead campus outreach for intent to return, beginning-of-year attendance recovery, and midyear enrollment; assign follow-up and resolve barriers with families and colleagues.
• Monitor enrollment data, withdrawals, and retention risks; ensure accurate documentation and recommend action to principals and the NDOO within approved capacity and admissions policies.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Serve as the campus operations lead for safety and incident command under the Emergency Operations Plan; maintain emergency coverage, visitor controls, and student accountability.
• Coordinate emergency drills, staff training, readiness checks, and use of emergency response systems; debrief incidents and complete corrective actions.
• Respond calmly to urgent situations, coordinate with responders and school leaders, document incidents, and escalate safety, family, legal, and service concerns through established protocols.
• Ensure safety and supervision of students at all times.

Campus Operations and Family Experience

• Lead arrival, dismissal, front office, attendance, and shared campus routines, with clear supervision assignments and dependable coverage.
• Oversee transportation, facilities, custodial services, food service, health-office operations, and campus technology support in partnership with qualified staff and service providers.
• Monitor vendor performance, resolve service problems, and manage school opening, summer work, maintenance, and campus readiness.
• Lead operational planning for conferences, family events, field trips, and after-school and summer programs; coordinate space, staffing, transportation, materials, and communication.
• Build trusting family relationships, arrange interpretation and translated information, and ensure questions and concerns receive timely follow-through.
• Oversee attendance outreach and required notices, partnering with school leaders and student support teams on chronic absence and barriers to attending school.

Resources and Compliance

• Manage assigned operating budgets and purchasing; review spending with principals, maintain inventories, and ensure accurate receipts, coding, and invoice documentation.
• Ensure timely, accurate attendance, enrollment, student records, and family contact information; coordinate records requests, transfers, report cards, and assessment logistics with Data and Assessment.
• Maintain campus compliance records and complete assigned reporting, inspections, and corrective actions; protect confidential information and follow approved data-access procedures.
• Coordinate campus employee onboarding, access, equipment, timekeeping, and offboarding with Talent, Payroll and Business, and technology partners.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance, which is an essential function of the role.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the school and organization.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Prodeo Academy reserves the right to modify duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience and qualifications.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience, with demonstrated ability to manage people, coordinate complex work, and follow through on results.
• Strong organization, project management, analytical skills, and attention to detail; ability to prioritize competing needs and exercise sound judgment under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, a strong service orientation, and the ability to build trust across diverse families, staff, and community partners.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and shared digital systems; ability to learn and use student information, enrollment, purchasing, and project-management tools.
• Commitment to Prodeo’s mission, cultural responsiveness, ethical conduct, confidentiality, and continuous professional growth.

Preferred Experience

School operations or another complex service environment; enrollment and family engagement; staff coaching; budget and vendor management; student data systems; and school safety or emergency preparedness.

Work Expectations

Maintain a regular, reliable campus presence and provide hands-on support when needed. Be available for occasional evening events, school-opening periods, and urgent operational needs, with occasional travel between campuses. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• High tolerance for ambiguity, changing work priorities and deadlines, and a willingness to take on responsibilities and to prioritize work on multiple projects;
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple constituencies including parents, staff and students;
• Team-player attitude and strong customer-service orientation;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Highly proficient in office software, e.g. Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Google Drive, etc.;
• Meticulous attention to detail and dedication to data accuracy and reliability.
• A passion for working in the Twin Cities region and a passion for the mission of Prodeo Academy.
• Dedication to helping children grow and learn.
• Commitment to Prodeo Academy’s mission and values.
• Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with scholars and families.
• Ability to differentiate instruction and support diverse learners.
• Cultural responsiveness and sensitivity.
• Data-driven mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Professionalism, reliability, and strong ethical judgment.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand and move around the classroom for extended periods.
• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 25 lbs (e.g., instructional materials, student supports).
• Ability to support students physically as needed, which may include kneeling, bending, or assisting with mobility.
• Ability to engage in crisis intervention or student safety procedures when necessary.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a school/classroom environment with typical levels of noise and activity.
• Exposure to students with varying emotional, behavioral, and academic needs.
• Occasional exposure to bodily fluids may occur as part of student support.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required for certain tasks.
• The role may require travel between classrooms, school buildings, and occasional off-site events.

Compensation

Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience and educational background. Prodeo's total rewards program offers benefits that are the best fit for you at every stage of your career including:

• Comprehensive healthcare options (Medical, Dental, and Vision).
• Retirement planning through Teacher's Retirement Association (TRA)/Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) and optional 403B plans.
• Generous Paid time off, federal holidays, and academic breaks throughout the school year.

ADA & Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Prodeo Academy is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this job, please contact Human Resources. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will not be denied unless they present an undue hardship to the organization.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Prodeo Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. Prodeo Academy is committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.