Business Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Rocketship school leadership teams each include a Principal and Assistant Principals focused on instruction, an Office Manager focused on student information and family engagement, and a school leader focused on all other operations aspects of running the school -- what some might call an “AP of Operations,” though we at Rocketship call it a Business Operations Manager (BOM). The BOM reports directly to the Principal and manages a team of hourly Operations Specialists. As the Operations leader, the BOM is responsible for all aspects of student meals, recess, arrival, dismissal, physical space, and safety at their campus. Thus, the role requires not only the ability to manage “business” topics like logistics and compliance, but also a deep understanding of behavior management, culture-setting, and behavior management coaching. The BOM helps ensure the school has a consistent culture across spaces, keeps our students safe, and ultimately enables instructional staff to focus on teaching and learning. This means BOMs are multi-talented leaders who can build systems, own processes like procurement and facilities maintenance, and partner with all adults on campus to support our students. The BOM role is an excellent opportunity for operationally-minded teachers and school leaders who want to grow and develop through an operational school leadership position.

Essential Functions

• The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

Schoolwide Systems & Culture

• Own the logistics, staffing, and daily management of arrival, lunch, recess, dismissal and physical space at your campus; ensuring joy and safety exude in all systems!
• Coach Operations Specialists daily in behavior management techniques, through both “in-the-moment coaching” and planned 1:1s.
• Design and lead professional development for Operations Specialists focused on behavior management skill development.
• Manage the physical space of the building and all facilities-related needs, including scheduling/meeting vendors and handling after-hours facilities emergencies.
• Manage food service operations, including managing staff, serving as the main contact with meal vendor, ensuring compliance, conducting internal audits, and ensuring meal program financial health.

Compliance & Budget

• Ensure your campus is financially responsible by providing support to the Principal on finance-related topics, including around budgets, cash collection, and invoice approval.
• Serve as the main owner of school safety processes and compliance, including administering training and running safety drills. Partner with the Principal to respond to emergencies.
• Own procurement and purchasing for the school site. Work with Principal to understand needs, place orders, inventory items received, handle returns/exchanges, etc.
• Serve as on-site IT contact, including managing IT assets, assisting staff with IT issues as able, and serving as the main touchpoint to central IT staff.
• Support the logistical, compliance, and technology side of administration of Rocketship’s assessments, including NWEA MAP and state tests, and health screenings like hearing and vision.
• CA Only: Own free/reduced-price lunch application process, including validating forms and running income verification process.

Leadership & Management

• Exhibit Rocketship’s core values daily: authenticity, community, innovation, tenacity, and pursuit of excellence.
• Hire, manage, and evaluate all hourly school Operations Specialists. Drive Operations Specialist satisfaction and development through active investment in your team.
• Be a collaborative and supportive partner on your school’s leadership team and the national Business Operations Manager team.
• Engage with parents on operational topics, demonstrating a clear customer service mindset that honors and engages our students’ families.
• Have the opportunity to be the campus COVID Lead as we navigate and adapt our staff and student facing procedures to ensure our campuses mitigate the risk of COVID-19 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, with school-based experience strongly preferred. Many of our most successful BOMs have previously been teachers and/or school leaders in other roles.
• Managerial experience is strongly preferred. Leadership and/or coaching roles among other adults can potentially substitute for this.
• Experience in a fast-paced, highly analytical, entrepreneurial environment. Ability to proactively manage multiple critical deadlines and quickly and confidently adapt to changing school needs, independently prioritizing and following through on completion of tasks and responsibilities. Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented, organized, and resourceful.
• Team-player attitude and strong customer-service orientation. Skill at communicating respectfully and empathetically with students' families. Spanish language proficiency preferred in many of our communities, but not required.
• Skilled at building strong and trusting working relationships with people in both senior- and junior-level roles, both within and beyond Rocketship. Ability to treat sensitive issues with respect and empathy, and maintain strict confidentiality where required.
• Strong PC-based computer skills, including the ability to use spreadsheets and the Google Suite, and ability to quickly become proficient in new software programs.
• Passion for Rocketship’s mission, and the belief that all students can achieve high levels of academic success.