Operations Manager (25-26 SY)

Who We Are Since its founding in 2010, Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway, Queens. We currently serve over 1,200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across three sites. Our school’s mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically, demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standards, and achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual, aesthetic, social, emotional, and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21 st ‑century citizens. To accomplish its mission, Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe, supportive, technology‑infused, data‑enriched, and socio‑emotional learning sequence, authentic field experiences, career counseling, and college coursework. It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites, and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars. Job Description At Challenge Prep, the Operations Manager (OM) is one of the first points of contact for parents, visitors, community members, and other external parties. The OM warmly, courteously, and effectively interacts with all parties to ensure their experience at Challenge Prep is consistently positive. The OM plays an integral role in the school’s Operations Team and fulfills a range of administrative duties. The OM is responsible for supporting school‑based staff with operational information systems, maintaining and analyzing operational data, managing student recruitment and enrollment, supporting and managing special projects, and coordinating academic or operational purchasing. The OM implements and manages clear systems, revising them as necessary, to keep Challenge Prep running smoothly on a day‑to‑day basis. Responsibilities include: Present and engaged Monday through Friday, except holidays, with occasional evenings, weeknights, and weekends, including parent events. Hold an FDNY Fire Guard Certificate of Fitness. Purchase, inventory, and financial management. Oversee the approval process, staff communication, and documentation for purchasing school materials, uniforms, equipment, and more. Track school expenses against the annual budget and forecast future spending needs in collaboration with the Director of Finance, HR & Operations. Maximize resources through negotiation and diligent research on school purchases. Create and oversee detailed inventory systems to ensure the school always has the materials necessary to function without downtime. Facilities and technology oversight: maintain the school’s physical condition, ensure all spaces are neat, organized, beautiful, and optimized for their designated use, and maintain classroom and shared‑space technology such as projectors and copiers. Operational support: maintain fidelity of the PowerSchool student information system, keep ATS and state‑level data systems up‑to‑date and accurate, manage student recruiting and enrollment, and lead or support special projects that continually improve school operations systems and procedures. Oversee the school nutrition program, including coordination and distribution of breakfast, lunch, and snack, and compliance reporting. Partner with the custodial team to ensure garbage composting meets NYC Department of Sanitation guidelines. Assist in planning and executing student and family events such as family conferences, field trips, etc. Manage shared space reservations and calendars, and help execute arrival, lunch, dismissal, transportation, and other whole‑school systems. Create and maintain teacher‑friendly systems for photocopy and poster creation. Create a welcoming main office environment for families by providing top‑notch customer service. Serve as the primary point of contact for staff and student technology. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed; additional support at the request of the Director of HR, Finance, and Operations. Potentially manage associate‑level operations team members. Requirements Associate degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred. At least 2 years of experience working in a charter school. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Experience with Google Suite, ATS, and PowerSchool. Team leadership ability. Selection Process Phase I – Virtual interview with the HR recruiter. Phase II – Demo, panel interview, and interview with the Director of Operations. Final – Reference check, offer, and contract. Work Year This full‑time position begins in mid‑August and goes through the end of June. Equal Opportunity Employer Challenge Charter School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, particularly in the Far Rockaway area, and committed to educating students. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our relentless work. Challenge Charter School offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. #J-18808-Ljbffr Challenge Charter School