Network Director of Learning Strategy and Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Originally   founded in 1991  as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools —growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org .

Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of Learning, the Network Director of Learning Strategy and Operations will manage the strategic direction and overall operations of DREAM’s K-12 Learning Team (LT). The Network Director is charged with supporting the strategic and coherent development of a unified whole child program for all of DREAM’s students. This leadership role will align strategic vision with day-to-day operations through designing and implementing long-term and annual strategic plans, creating and overseeing operationally excellent processes, and managing dynamic internal and external partnerships. The Network Director will manage and coach the Associate Director of Learning Operations by overseeing all operational aspects of academics, special education, social-emotional learning and mental health services, extended learning and enrichment (after-school, summer, and day-of enrichment), and AI strategy and implementation. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven leader who combines a strong background in school operations and project management with the strategic acumen to shape and scale instructional systems across a growing birth-24 network.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Develop, execute and oversee cross-functional project plans for K-12 strategic initiatives, collaborating with Curriculum and Instruction (CIT), Education, Operations, Data and Assessment, Student Supports, After School and Summer Programming, SEL and Mental Health, Talent, Equity, IT, Advancement, Communications and Brand, Finance, AI Task Force, and K-12 School Leadership Teams.

• Plan and oversee the implementation of network-wide event logistics , including leader and teacher professional development, summer institutes, data days, PBL programming, and other special events. 

• Create, manage and continuously improve excellent Learning Team systems and processes , including scheduling, staffing processes, ordering and inventory management, organization of materials, assessment and survey administration and response to data, and customer service. 

• Oversee budget planning and management for both the LT and individual school budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation to support organizational goals.

Strategic Leadership

• Support the Learning Team’s multi-year strategic planning , ensuring alignment with DREAM’s broader organizational goals.

• Design and manage LT’s annual and monthly planning processes , setting clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables for development and implementation.

• Drive new initiatives independently and support the Deputy Chief in translating initiative vision to reality. Examples of initiatives include: the use of AI across teacher development and curriculum; project-based learning; capstone research frameworks; high impact tutoring; special education fellowship; implementation of SEL curriculum programming; Dean-level development programming; among others.

• Establish and track the team’s performance metrics for evaluating the progress and impact of LT initiatives and student achievement data in partnership with the Deputy Chief 

• Understand, cultivate and navigate organizational relationships to drive LT’s priorities to successful implementation.

Team and Stakeholder Management

• Manage and coach the Associate Director of Learning Operations , modeling operational excellence and building operational capacity within the Learning Team.

• Serve as a conduit between LT and internal stakeholders , proactively communicating timelines, project statuses, and implementation plans across departments. 

• Represent DREAM with LT’s external stakeholders , such as vendors, contractors and partners. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Education, Business, or related field strongly preferred;

• 5+ years of relevant experience working in schools, school systems, or a comparable organizational leadership capacity is required;

• At least 2+ years in a leadership position with at least 1 direct report is required;

• Capacity to rapidly learn new contexts and frameworks; deep familiarity and fluency with generative artificial intelligence is required;

• Proven track record in strategic planning and project management, required; certification in project management (e.g., PMP) is preferred;

• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives, including budget oversight and vendor management;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders at all levels;

• Fluency with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and aptitude for data analysis; familiarity with Asana or other project management tools highly preferred;

• Ability to keep the big picture at the forefront, while bringing a high degree of organization and attention to detail, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines;

• Strong collaborative spirit and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships in a fast-paced environment;

• Impeccable integrity, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential information sensitively;

• Demonstrated resourcefulness, flexibility, and a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.

• Passion for DREAM’s mission and a deep commitment to supporting the academic success and overall well-being of students in historically underserved communities.

Working Expectations

• The Network Director of Learning Strategy and Operations is part of the Learning Team, which works a minimum of 3 days a week on-site and up to 2 days a week remote, with some weeks requiring more days on-site.

• On-site work takes place across three DREAM campuses throughout East Harlem and the South Bronx.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure;
• Referral, performance, and tenure milestones bonuses;
• Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program;
• Tuition reimbursement support;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• All full-time Network Support Team employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays.
• Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $125,000 - 140,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us .

DREAM Maxims  

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.