Regional Business Operations Manager

About KIPP LA Schools

KIPP LA Schools is a non-profit organization that operates free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter schools. Our schools, which serve elementary and middle school students in East and South Los Angeles, are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network of 141 schools in 20 states and DC. KIPP schools are dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life.

KIPP LA’s mission is to teach the academic skills, foster the intellectual habits, and cultivate the character traits needed for our students to thrive in high school, college, and life. Through the success of our students, the KIPP LA team and family will serve as a model of excellence and collaborate with others to raise the quality of education in Los Angeles.

KIPP LA’s schools feature a “no shortcuts, no excuses” philosophy and a strong culture of achievement. Our curricula are designed to provide students a well-rounded education, with sufficient time dedicated to academics, the arts, enrichment, and physical education. KIPP LA’s educators are committed to continually improving their teaching skills, and to giving students the support and motivation they need to excel in school and beyond.

In the 2014-15 school year, KIPP LA will operate eleven schools –five elementary and six middle–and will serve approximately 3,800 students.  KIPP LA is currently expanding; over the next five years, we will more than triple the number of students we serve and more than double the number of schools in our region.

About KIPP LA’s School Support Center

KIPP LA’s School Support Center (SSC), located in East Los Angeles, provides administrative support and services as well as oversight to our schools. These services include development, operations, marketing, finance, technology, real estate, academics and academic support.

The SSC was founded in 2008 to facilitate KIPP’s expansion in Los Angeles and to ensure the quality and sustainability of our schools. The mission of the SST is to broaden KIPP’s impact in Los Angeles by providing the support and services necessary for our schools to achieve academic excellence and for our organization to maximize the number of students we serve.

Responsibilities

The Regional Business Operations Manager is responsible for managing the School Nutrition Program, Health and Safety, Insurance, and Facilities as well as ensuring that KIPP LA Schools establishes effective and efficient operations policies and procedures.  The Regional Business Operations Manager will also ensure that KIPP LA Schools is in compliance with all local, district, state and federal laws and regulations.  This position reports to the Managing Director of Operations and provides support, training, and coaching to school operations staff. Specific areas of responsibility include:

School Business Operations and Compliance

• Manage the School Nutrition Program and develop processes and procedures that result in high quality and cost effective food services.  Submit reimbursement claims to the state, manage food vendor relationships and ensure compliance with local, district, state and federal laws and regulations    
• Assist schools with developing and implementing school health, safety and emergency plans
• Oversee school risk management and insurance policies and procedures
• Coordinate with School Support Center and school staff to ensure that compliance requirements and timelines are met including reports to the district, Los Angeles County, California Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, and KIPP Foundation

• Build KIPP LA Schools capacity to operate efficiently and effectively by providing high quality training, development and support to school leaders and school operations staff
• Serve as the subject matter expert on school operations and facilitate the sharing of best practices across the region
• Facilitate effective communication and feedback between schools and School Support Center staff
• Coordinate with the School Support Center Finance team to ensure schools are following fiscal policies and best practices
• Work closely with the Data & Student Information Associate on compliance report completion and ensuring school operations staff complies with student information processes and procedures.
• Support the Associate Director of Business Operations and Managing Director of Operations with analysis and reports as needed
• Support the Associate Director of Business Operations in the design and implementation of new school start up systems, policies, procedures and checklists
• Develop and implement an operations on-boarding and training program to support new school leaders and their operations staff
• Oversight of all operational and facilities management
• Support and coordinate school maintenance projects
• Develop and maintain facility maintenance plans and schedules
• Manage maintenance and janitorial services and vendor relationships
• Manage pest control services

New School Development

Facilities and Maintenance

Management

• Lead the school operations staff recruitment process
  • Facilitate team meetings with School Business Operations Managers and provide targeted professional development
  • Provide regular coaching, professional development and support to operations team members to improve performance
  • Establish effective systems to support new managers in their roles

This position is also responsible performing other duties as required by the Managing Director of Operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Experience managing charter school operations preferred
• A demonstrated passion for improving K-12 public education
• Excellent project management and planning skills
• Experience managing budgets and strong financial acumen
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Experience managing vendors and negotiating contracts is a plus
• Ability to multitask, adjust priorities and work autonomously
• Passion for teamwork and customer service
• Experience designing and facilitating training and professional development sessions
• Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and work effectively in a collaborative environment
• Track record of leadership, integrity, initiative and perseverance