Associate Director of People and School Operations

About Sankofa Montessori

Are you looking to make history, join a values-driven community, a community that invests in YOU, and a community that will provide you with what you need to do what you love? Then look no further than Sankofa Montessori, GA's only State Charter School Commission-approved K-6 Public Montessori Charter School.

Our vision is to design more purposeful futures. We achieve our vision by providing a culturally responsive, child- and family-centered Montessori education so we can develop in all of our students the knowledge, skill, and agency to have a life of purpose.

Start Date: January 6, 2025

Type: Full-time in-person position starting on January 6, 2025, with onboarding starting during the week of December 16th, 2024.

Location: 5881 Phillips Drive, Forest Park, GA, 30297

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of People and School Operations is a school-based leadership role that oversees all human resources and operations functions necessary to run a high-performing school. This includes purchasing, facilities, food services, transportation, technology, compliance, school safety, student data, regulatory compliance, human resource, recruitment, enrollment, and academic operations support. The Director of People and School Operations serves as a key member of the School Leadership Team, ensuring that campus operations meet high standards of operational excellence and enabling instructional leaders and staff to focus on driving strong student achievement outcomes. The Director of People and School Operations will manage the facilities team and the front office staff. As a Sankofa Montessori Director of People and School Operations, your core responsibilities, at a minimum, include:

School Operations Leadership

• Serve as the eyes and ears of the school to ensure that all school operations run seamlessly every day, proactively problem-solving and developing systems where needed

• In partnership with other members of the leadership team, implement the campus-wide operation vision that supports and operationalizes the academic and cultural vision of the school
• Support with student and staff recruitment efforts

People Operations, Risk Management, Compliance, and HR Administration

• Oversee employee lifecycle, improve employee experience, create a positive work culture
• Ensure that the school is prepared for emergencies by conducting all drills and training staff on emergency plans
• Responsible for human resource management, including running background checks on all hires, obtaining clearance certificates for all personnel, maintaining attendance records and all GPSC documentation and reporting
• Manage LEA functions associated with human resources (e.g. clearance certificates, FMLA)
• Serve as human resource function for the school, including recruitment support, benefits enrollment, and compliance with all employment records management law
• Work with our Executive Director and platform to ensure practices and policies are updated and consistent with legal requirements.

Finance & Purchasing

• Manage the schools purchasing process by establishing clear systems for staff to request items, placing orders with vendors, tracking delivery, and coding and submitting purchase orders, invoices, and reimbursement requests; approve school purchases under a specific financial threshold
• Hold the school vendors accountable for goals and outcomes
• Serve as the first school-based point of contact regarding finance and works with the back office provider to ensure financial compliance and reporting

Facilities and Maintenance

• Oversee most facilities issues, including maintenance, managing staff/vendors, aesthetics, shared space agreements, and campus safety
• Oversee food service administration and setting up and managing meal distribution
• Oversee transportation, including campus arrival and dismissal procedures, setting and managing staff duty schedules for arrival and dismissal
• Own all logistics (e.g., transportation, lodging, meals, staffing plan, etc.) of all off-site field lessons and all on-site special events (Parent Teacher Conferences, Performances, staff celebrations, etc.)

Technology & Equipment

• Ensure that students and staff have access to needed technology and work with the Technology vendor to plan technology-related enhancements
• Lead the campus opening/start-up process each year to ensure that doors are ready to open by ordering furniture, equipment, and instructional supplies are ready to go
• Manage the school's supply and asset inventory (e.g., computers, Montessori materials)

Data Management and Reporting

• Manage systems for and maintains accurate student data and information in compliance with federal, state, regional, and school expectations
• Manage LEA functions associated with employee data collection and submission
• Lead student assessment process, working closely with Academic Leads to fully manage the logistical elements of all major student assessments
• Responsible for LEA functions associated with student data collection and submission (e.g. FTE, student records).
• Responsible for LEA functions associated with student health and welfare (e.g. nursing program, health screenings)

Requirements

First and foremost, the Director of People and School Operations must share Sankofa Montessori’s commitment to working together to provide a culturally responsive, child and family-centered Montessori education to ensure that all of our students develop the knowledge, skills, and agency to have a life of purpose. Additionally, for this position, we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• Bachelor's degree (required)
• 3-5 years minimum work experience, preferably in education and/or business or operations management
• 2 years minimum work experience managing a team and large projects with financial oversight and budget management
• A "make it happen" attitude
• Strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backwards plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to detail and deliver consistent and timely results
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with an aptitude for systems-building
• Ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable to high standards of operational excellence
• Strong learning orientation and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Unwavering commitment to Sankofa Montessori’s mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of Sankofa Montessori students, families, and staff
• Can complete physical demands of the role (including standing and walking for extended periods and lifting heavy objects up to 40 Ibs)
• Successful background check results required

Benefits

Sankofa Montessori’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution. We offer a competitive benefits package with comprehensive health benefits. All staff members are equipped with the tools needed to succeed, including relevant and quality professional development, laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies.

Additional Information

Equal Employment Opportunity: Sankofa Montessori provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.