Director of Operations - Great Hearts Christian Academies

Director of Operations – Great Hearts Christian Academies Job Title: Director of Operations – Great Hearts Christian Academies Department: Operations Reports To: Executive Director and OSE COO Classification: Exempt Location: Multiple GHCA Campuses Direct Reports: Billing Specialist, Campus Operations Staff, Parent Navigators, Security Job Purpose The Operations Director serves as a key leadership role responsible for overseeing comprehensive operational functions across Great Hearts Christian Academies' campuses. This position leads campus launch initiatives, enrollment management, marketing strategy, financial oversight, and systems development while ensuring operational excellence and mission alignment with the GHCA academy leadership. The Operations Director serves as a critical bridge between campus leadership and organizational strategy, supporting Great Hearts Christian Academies’ growth and sustainability while maintaining the highest standards of classical Christian education. Essential Responsibilities Campus Operations & Launch Management Lead campus launch initiatives and ensure daily operational readiness across Great Hearts Christian Academies locations, including facilities, IT, FFE, safety, procurement, meals coordination, and budget alignment. Establish and maintain emergency protocols aligned with Open Sky Education and Great Hearts emergency plans. Coordinate school security, safety drills, and bell schedules according to school needs. Present training on emergency procedures to all staff prior to the start of each school year. Ensure classrooms have proper safety routes in place with emergency folders that include emergency procedures. Work collaboratively with school leaders to plan and manage the use of shared spaces, promoting efficiency and a cohesive environment across Great Hearts Christian Academies' schools housed in the Open Sky Learning Center and leased church spaces. Ensure the school facility and grounds are well-maintained and manage the timely resolution of all related issues with the Open Sky Facilities Team. Maintain the setup of the Student Information System (Jupiter) and perform regular tasks such as user creation, staff data updates, and training of new team members; support front office managers with system setup and operations. Develop and execute multi-year growth plans for campus expansion. Manage partnerships with host churches and coordinate shared-space logistics. Oversee operational readiness for Great Hearts Christian Academies Gilbert and Maryvale campuses, and future campuses. Direct comprehensive enrollment marketing strategy, including referral programs, open houses, information sessions, and community outreach events. Manage the CRM system (Zensell) for Great Hearts Christian Academies to track and optimize enrollment processes. Work alongside the Parent Navigator on admissions roles and family engagement initiatives. Oversee family communications, storytelling initiatives, and event planning to strengthen school culture and community visibility. Manage end-to-end enrollment operations from interest generation through registration. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and RACI matrices for admissions processes. Build and maintain dashboards for enrollment and retention metrics. Oversee tuition structure, billing processes, and scholarship programs (ESA, STO, and other funding sources). Supervise Billing Specialist to ensure excellent customer service and accurate financial workflows to include timely collections. Monitor budget performance and implement financial controls. Track and report on needed data for external donor and grant requests. Systems & Reporting Management Develop and maintain enterprise SOPs and performance dashboards. Create and monitor metrics for enrollment, retention, and financial performance. Ensure data continuity and integrity across organizational systems. Streamline data continuity across internal systems. Prepare and deliver reports to the GHA, OSE, and CCC boards as requested. Strategic Leadership Serve as liaison between organizational leadership and campus administration. Provide coaching and mentorship to operational team members. Facilitate cross-functional initiatives and ensure alignment with organizational mission and priorities. Identify operational improvement opportunities and implement solutions. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education Administration, Business, or related field preferred. 5+ years of experience in educational operations management preferred. Demonstrated success in enrollment management and marketing strategy. Strong financial acumen and experience with budget oversight. Excellent project management and organizational skills. Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities. Proven leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop team members. Alignment with and passion for classical Christian education. Experience with CRM systems and data management preferred. Additional Requirements Fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP Level One fingerprint clearance card. Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately. Travel required: Will travel locally to the various academies within the Phoenix metro area as well as out of state for meetings or professional development. Great Hearts Christian Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. GHCA is a religious organization employer as defined by Sections702(a) and 703(e)(2) of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a religious educational institution, GHCA is permitted to hire and employ individuals aligned with or sharing the religious faith espoused by GHCA. #J-18808-Ljbffr Great Hearts Academies