Company Description
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.
Job Description
As a member of Uncommon’s K-8 Curriculum and Assessment Team (CAT), the Manager of Operations will own workstreams that will help ensure CAT achieves its goals and objectives to best serve Uncommon’s 20 Elementary Schools and 27 Middle Schools. The Manager of Operations will be responsible for overseeing CAT’s operational systems and managing cross-cutting project plans for CAT’s core work and strategic initiatives, while also attending to the needs of schools and regions. This role will report to K-8 CAT’s Director of Strategy and Operations.
Project Management and Execution
- Create, manage and execute on long-term, cross-cutting project plans, such as Technology, Hiring (K-8 DCI Fellows, DCIs, LLPs), PD or Curriculum Management and Sharing, Curriculum Ordering, Assessments and Analysis
- Hold others accountable for timely and effective completion of action steps, including members of CAT, school-based staff, regional point people, and other Home Office staff members
- Anticipate roadblocks and actively plan to mitigate risks
- Liaise with key HO Teams (i.e. Recruitment or Data and IT) to drive solutions that supports the team’s work
- Support scheduling and logistics for all workstream-related events, including DCI/DCI Fellow Inspection and Immersion Days and PDs or Analysis Meetings or team retreats
System and Process Management
- Develop and document systems and processes that improve CAT’s work quality and efficiency, such as internal assessment analysis maps, project management tools and school-leader facing playbooks
- Use data to assess effectiveness of CAT’s systems/structures
- Drive implementation of several specific strategic initiatives each year, revised annually per K-8 CSO and CAT annual initiatives
- Tees up key information and recommendations for critical decisions for K8 CAT’s Director of Curriculum and Assessment, and Director of Strategy and Operations.
Communication
- Oversee outgoing communication, including weekly communication to school leaders (K-4 and 5-8 CAT Memo) and project-specific communications
- Create communication plans for work streams and manage sharing of information to relevant stakeholders
- Facilitate meeting with key stakeholders (including regional and school leaders) on work streams to gather data and understand regional needs
Team Support and Management
- Ensure strong systems for internal team project management and calendaring
- Drive weekly check-ins with Content Directors to ensure key workstreams are on track
- Develop materials for and lead team presentations to roll-out, gather buy-in and debrief key workstreams
- Support networkwide initiatives led by Content Teams through material creation, event support and other key tasks as necessary
Budget Management
- Create annual budget and participate in quarterly budget update process led by Uncommon’s Finance team
- Evaluate and manage spending and reimbursement guidelines for PD participants and CAT members
- Manage team’s stipend processes and communication with regional and school leaders
- Manage spending within budget lines related to key workstreams (i.e. Analysis Meetings, Training Books, Team PD, etc.)
Organizational Relationships
- Provide in-school and in-region support to build relationships with school/regional leaders and assess the effectiveness of CAT initiatives on-the-ground
- Work closely with other Home Office Teams (e.g. Data & IT teams), regional operational teams, school leadership teams, Assistant Superintendents (ASups), Associate Chief Operating Officers (ACOOs), network lesson planners, Deans of Curriculum and Instruction (DCIs), and other members of the Curriculum and Assessment Team.
Qualifications
- Strong attention to detail
- Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills
- Demonstrates ability to think strategically and innovatively
- Experience in managing and improving systems, structures, and processes
- Able to use data and information to monitor progress towards goals
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly and to differentiate messaging to a variety of stakeholders
- Self-directed and able to contribute individually and as a member of a team
- Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
- Proactive problem-solver who is able to work successfully in a high-paced environment
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and strong technical skills
- Willing to travel to schools throughout our six regions
Education required:
- Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred (but not necessary)
Experience required:
- 3-5 years of work experience managing operations and communications in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency, clarity, and top-of-the-line customer service;
- Project-planning experience required, with demonstrated ability to see large projects through to completion;
- Instructional experience and people management a plus
Additional Information
Our people are what make us uncommon. It’s important to us that our compensation practices align with our values and enhance our ability to attract and retain talent. Our compensation philosophy is focused on equity and fairness, retaining our talented staff and valuing their expertise, and transparency and clarity.
Compensation for this position: The starting compensation for this role is based in New York City and is between $85,000 to $100,000 and generally, we expect that qualified candidates in this location will be made an offer between $85,000 and $90,000. The starting pay will depend on a variety of factors that may include but are not limited to experience, education, training, certification, and location.
Benefits: We offer comprehensive, flexible, and competitive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families.
Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.
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