Director of Operations

Director of Operations

The Orchard School

The Position

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Directly supervises the performance of the School Nurse, School Safety Officer, Extended Programs Director, Foodservice Director, Information Technology Director, and Facilities Director.
• Ensures that Extended Programs are provided seamlessly and in line with industry best practices.
• Oversees the technology department’s framework and support for both instructional and administrative needs, including team supervision.
• Ensures high-quality school nursing services and consistent support to students and staff throughout the day.
• Educates all stakeholders in best business practices.
• Manages vendor relationships and oversees partnerships, including the school’s endowment manager.
• Oversees buildings and grounds, including maintenance, construction, custodial services, and groundskeeping.
• Oversees food service operations, ensuring compliance with health regulations.
• Oversees transportation services, including vehicle safety, maintenance, scheduling, approved drivers, insurance, and drug testing.
• Oversees significant plant improvements and long-term maintenance planning.
• Maintains appropriate physical plant and general liability policies.
• Maintains the official policy handbook of The Orchard School.
• Collaborates closely with other members of the Senior Administrative Team.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Communicates new directives, policies, or procedures to managers; for major changes, meets with the entire operations staff to explain changes and maintain morale.
• Improves customer service and satisfaction through policy and procedural changes.
• Leads coordination among operations, engineering, technology, and customer service to streamline workflows and reduce costs.
• Projects a positive image of Orchard to employees, vendors, and the wider community.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Talking, listening, and vision.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Mobility throughout Orchard’s 155,000-square-foot facility.
• Occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds.

Qualifications and Attributes

• BS or BA degree from a four-year accredited college required; master’s degree preferred.
• Operational experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel required.
• Familiarity with business operations at independent schools or non-profits preferred.
• Must protect confidential information and establish credibility.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with diverse personalities, demonstrating tact, flexibility, and compassion.
• Sound judgment aligned with regulations, standards, and school priorities.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal and technical documents.
• Ability to write effective and grammatically correct correspondence, reports, and spreadsheets, and to present information clearly.
• A passion for the mission and vision of The Orchard School.
• A commitment to embracing and cultivating diversity within the workplace and school community.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to lead complex projects.
• Forward-thinking and flexible.

Benefits

• 11 paid personal days
• 30 paid vacation days
• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid long- and short-term disability
• Other benefits