Director of Operations

Director Of Operations

Livonia Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified director of operations who demonstrates a collaborative spirit, strategic mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement. The director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the systems, services, infrastructure, and resources that support the effective operation of all district schools and facilities. As a member of the superintendent's cabinet, the director serves as a key advisor to the superintendent and cabinet leadership, contributing to districtwide strategy, decision-making, long-range planning, and resource allocation. The director ensures that operational systems are safe, efficient, fiscally responsible, responsive, and aligned with the district's mission, vision, and core priorities. Responsibilities include leadership and oversight of transportation, facilities, maintenance, custodial services, food service, information technology, warehouse operations, and related services, as well as capital improvement planning and major construction, renovation, and bond-related projects. The director builds strong relationships with school and district administrators, staff, vendors, contractors, community partners, and municipalities, ensuring operational services effectively support schools and programs and that district resources are managed strategically in support of teaching and learning.

Benefits of working with Livonia Public Schools include a traditional pension and tax-deferred retirement savings accounts with an employer matching contribution. The pension component guarantees you monthly retirement benefit payments over your lifetime once you meet age and service requirements. Additionally, as a new public-school employee, you will be automatically enrolled in a personal healthcare fund (phf), which is a portable, tax-deferred investment account that can be used to pay for healthcare expenses in retirement. Livonia public schools will contribute a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 2% you contribute. As an employee of Livonia public schools, you will be a part of a team working together in a positive work climate and a culture of mutual respect to support the successful education of children. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing you are a team member with Livonia public schools, which means you will have the following perks of employment available to you: medical insurance, including prescription drug coverage; dental, vision, and life insurance; long-term disability coverage; employee assistance program for employees and their eligible family members; paid holidays; earned vacation, sick, and bereavement days; longevity pay; paid "act of god" days, such as snow days. Additionally, the children of employees working 20+ hours, living outside the district's attendance boundaries, are eligible to attend Livonia public schools via schools of choice.

Minimum qualifications include a master's degree in educational leadership, business administration, operations management, public administration, or a related field. Highly successful administrative or executive leadership experience in a school district, district operations, business, or a related organizational setting. Eager to provide visionary and strategic leadership across multiple departments and operational functions. A record of collaborative problem-solving, strong follow-through, initiative, and responsiveness. Experience with budget management, fiscal stewardship, resource allocation, and cost control. Strong understanding of operational systems, infrastructure, technology, and organizational processes. Sound judgment and capacity to analyze complex issues, identify solutions, make informed decisions, and respond effectively to operational challenges and emergencies. Successful experience supervising, developing, and evaluating personnel. Ability to build and sustain highly effective working relationships with school leaders, employees, employee groups, vendors, contractors, community partners, and governmental agencies. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate complex operational, financial, technical, and project-related information clearly to a variety of audiences. Capacity to lead organizational change and foster continuous improvement. Commitment to maintaining positive, respectful, and inclusive working environments for all employees. Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Major functions and responsibilities include championing the district's mission, vision, and collective commitments and making operational decisions that reflect the district's philosophy that places the needs of children and their education first. Participating actively in the superintendent's cabinet, contributing to short- and long-term planning, districtwide strategy, collaboration, and leadership decisions. Providing executive leadership and oversight for district operations, including transportation, facilities, maintenance, custodial services, food service, information and instructional technology, purchasing, warehouse operations, facility rentals, risk management, and related operational services. Developing, implementing, and evaluating long-range operational plans that align district resources, facilities, technology, services, and infrastructure with current and future educational needs. Providing leadership for the planning, implementation, and oversight of district capital improvement, construction, renovation, and bond-related projects, ensuring projects are well planned, fiscally responsible, and aligned with district priorities. Working collaboratively with architects, construction managers, contractors, consultants, staff, school leaders, and other partners to ensure successful completion of capital projects. Ensuring district facilities, grounds, transportation services, food service operations, and other operational services are maintained at high standards and effectively support the needs of students, staff, and school programs. Providing leadership for the district's information technology operations, ensuring reliable, secure, effective, and responsive technology systems and services that support teaching, learning, communication, and district operations. Overseeing the development and management of departmental budgets, ensuring responsible financial planning, cost control, resource allocation, and stewardship of public funds. Evaluating operational practices, contracts, services, and resources to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and value. Providing leadership and oversight for purchasing, procurement, contracts, vendor relationships, warehouse operations, and inventory management. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with vendors, contractors, municipalities, governmental agencies, community organizations, and other external partners. Ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, codes, and standards affecting district operations, including miosha/osha, environmental, accessibility, facilities, transportation, food service, and other applicable requirements. Ensuring effective planning and coordination for emergency operational needs and the continuity of essential district services. Working collaboratively with school and district administrators to identify operational needs, resolve concerns, and ensure district services respond to the needs of schools and programs. Providing leadership and recommendations regarding facility utilization, property acquisition and disposition, leasing arrangements, boundary and capacity considerations, and long-range facility planning. Establishing clear expectations and accountability for the quality, efficiency, responsiveness, and customer service of operational departments. Ensuring department leaders know applicable state and federal laws and compliance requirements, including miosha/osha, environmental regulations, ada requirements, and other applicable operational standards. Supervising, supporting, and providing leadership coaching to assigned administrators, managers, and other personnel; promoting professional growth, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. Communicating effectively with employees, administrators, the superintendent, cabinet, board of education, and community regarding operational matters, projects, priorities, challenges, and recommendations. Working effectively with appropriate board committees and attending board meetings as requested by the superintendent; providing reports, updates, data, and recommendations regarding operations, facilities, technology, capital projects, and related matters. Working with the district's legal counsel, consultants, architects, engineers, contractors, and other professional partners on matters related to district operations. Developing and recommending policies, procedures, and operational practices that promote safe, efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible district operations. Identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, communication, and service delivery across operational departments. Performing other duties and assuming responsibilities as assigned by the superintendent.

Conditions of employment: this position will remain open through september 1, 2026 for consideration of employment for the 2026-27 school year. Applications: all applicants, including current lps employees, must complete and submit an application through applitrack, which can be accessed through the livonia public schools webpage. Additionally, applicants must also upload: letter of interest addressed to superintendent andrea l. oquist professional resume copies of educational documents (transcripts/certificates) three current letters of recommendation.