Chief Operating Officer & VP, Administration Apex Technical School (New York)

Title: Chief Operating Officer & Vice President, Administration Apex Technical School

Location: Hybrid; travel to multiple sites across NY Metro region as required

Position Summary

Apex Technical School, part of The Fedcap Group, is seeking a dynamic, energetic, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as Chief Operating Officer & Vice President, Administration. Reporting to the President, this executive will oversee the day‑to‑day operations of the institution while leading strategic initiatives that drive growth, operational excellence, student success, and organizational modernization.

The COO & Vice President, Administration provides executive leadership across institutional operations, including enrollment management, student services, workforce development, accreditation and regulatory compliance, instructional operations, technology, finance, facilities, and human resources. This leader will partner closely with academic and administrative leadership to strengthen operational performance, expand educational offerings, build industry partnerships, and position Apex for continued growth and long‑term success.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, results‑oriented leader with significant experience in post‑secondary vocational, technical, or workforce education who can balance strategic vision with operational execution in a highly regulated environment.

About Apex Technical School

Founded in 1961, Apex Technical School is one of New York City’s leading career and technical education institutions, providing hands‑on training that prepares students for high‑demand careers in the skilled trades. For more than six decades, Apex has helped thousands of individuals gain the technical skills, industry knowledge, and professional confidence needed to enter the workforce and achieve economic mobility.

Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and licensed by the New York State Education Department, Apex is recognized as a 2024–2025 ACCSC School of Excellence and partners closely with employers and industry to ensure programs align with evolving workforce needs.

As part of The Fedcap Group’s education portfolio, Apex is committed to expanding opportunity, strengthening industries, and creating pathways to meaningful careers through technical education and workforce development.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategic Operations

• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and strategic advisor to the President on operational and administrative matters.
• Lead day‑to‑day operations across all campuses, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, regulatory requirements, and student success.
• Drive operational excellence through performance metrics, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead strategic initiatives that support organizational growth, innovation, and long‑term sustainability.

Growth & Strategic Development

• Partner with Fedcap and Apex leadership to identify opportunities for institutional growth, including new programs, campuses, strategic partnerships, and innovative delivery models.
• Evaluate workforce trends and employer demand to guide program expansion and modernization.
• Lead planning for new initiatives, online and hybrid learning, and scalable organizational growth.
• Build strategic relationships with employers, workforce development agencies, labor organizations, government partners, and community stakeholders.

Accreditation, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and all applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead accreditation reviews, audits, site visits, and regulatory reporting.
• Monitor regulatory changes and strengthen institutional policies, procedures, and operational practices.
• Lead enrollment strategy, admissions, student retention, and operational performance.
• Partner with academic leadership to improve student persistence, credential attainment, and employment outcomes.
• Leverage data and analytics to drive enrollment growth, student success, and institutional decision‑making.

Organizational Modernization & Technology

• Lead modernization of institutional systems, technology, and operational processes.
• Oversee student information systems, CRM platforms, learning management systems, and other enterprise technologies.
• Improve reporting capabilities, workflow efficiency, and data‑driven decision‑making.

Human Resources & Organizational Culture

• Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, leadership development, recruitment, retention, employee engagement, and succession planning.
• Develop workforce strategies that support institutional growth and operational effectiveness.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and student‑centered service.

Finance & Administration

• Partner with finance leadership on budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and financial performance.
• Ensure operational decisions support institutional sustainability and long‑term growth.
• Oversee facilities, procurement, administrative services, and operational infrastructure.

Instructional Operations

• Partner with academic leadership to ensure instructional quality, workforce relevance, and regulatory compliance.
• Support curriculum innovation, employer partnerships, and instructional excellence.
• Promote innovative delivery models that expand access while maintaining educational quality.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience within an accredited post‑secondary vocational, technical, trade, career, or workforce‑focused educational institution.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex school operations, including enrollment, student services, compliance, finance, human resources, and instructional support functions.
• Extensive knowledge of accreditation standards, regulatory compliance, and post‑secondary education administration.
• Proven success leading organizational growth, operational transformation, modernization initiatives, or institutional expansion.
• Experience implementing or modernizing student information systems, enrollment management platforms, CRM systems, learning management systems, or other enterprise technologies.
• Strong financial and operational management experience.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship‑building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build high‑performing teams and drive accountability.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Experience in both vocational/technical education and traditional higher education administration.
• Experience launching new programs, campuses, online learning initiatives, or innovative educational delivery models.
• Familiarity with workforce development systems, employer partnerships, and industry credentialing frameworks.

Leadership Characteristics

• Entrepreneurial, energetic, and action‑oriented.
• A strategic leader who balances vision with operational execution.
• A collaborative leader who builds trust, accountability, and high‑performing teams.
• Data‑driven with a focus on measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Student‑centered and committed to workforce development and educational excellence.
• Skilled at leading organizational change while maintaining regulatory excellence.
• A hands‑on leader who enjoys solving problems and driving results.

What Success Looks Like

• Build trusted relationships with the President, executive leadership team, faculty, staff, employers, and key external partners.
• Strengthen operational effectiveness through improved processes, accountability, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Position Apex for strategic growth by expanding programs, partnerships, and innovative learning opportunities aligned with workforce demand.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and student success.
• Ensure continued excellence in accreditation, regulatory compliance, and operational performance while enhancing the student experience and supporting strong educational and employment outcomes.

Compensation: $200,000 – $250,000

Benefits: Medical, Dental & Vision | Life/AD&D & Long‑Term Disability | Flexible Spending Account (FSA) | Commuter Benefits | 403(b) | Wellness Program

The Fedcap Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local law.