The Organization

Prospect Schools is a high-performing, intentionally diverse ("diverse by design") K–12 college preparatory charter network, serving more than 2,700 students across seven schools in Brooklyn—with two new schools opening soon. Our academic model is built on the renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, which empowers students to take ownership of their learning and prepares them to thrive as global citizens.

Grounded in our mission to prepare a diverse student body to have a positive impact on society and cultivate a lifelong passion for learning, we are guided by our Core Values:

• Curiosity: Ask questions confidently and think critically.

• Care: Center empathy, equity, and inclusion in every action.

• Persistence: Solve problems with determination and creativity.

• Passion: Approach challenges with enthusiasm and purpose.

We have a vision to become, by 2030, the leading network of intentionally diverse schools where all students and educators can learn, work and thrive. Find out more about who we are and what we believe by spending a few minutes reading our 2024 Annual Report.

The Role

Prospect Schools is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial, and equity-centered Founding Director of School Operations (DSO) to design, launch, and lead the non-instructional systems of our newest K-8 campus opening in Fall 2026. This is a unique opportunity to build a school from the ground up, in deep partnership with the Founding Principal and network leadership. 

Reporting to the Senior Director of School Operations (SDSO) and serving as a key member of the School Management Team (SMT), the Founding DSO will operationalize the school’s vision by designing founding systems, overseeing mission-critical logistics, ensuring compliance and safety, managing resources, and creating the operational infrastructure that allows teachers and school leaders to focus on instruction and culture.

This is an ideal role for a builder who thrives in ambiguity, brings strong operational expertise, and is energized by the challenge of creating the systems, culture, and workflows that underpin a thriving school community.

Key Responsibilities

School Leadership & Strategic Partnership

• Serve as a core member of the SMT, advising on school-wide decisions and aligning operations to instructional and cultural priorities.

• Analyze operational and financial data to recommend strategic adjustments that sustain the school’s financial health.

• Collaborate with the Principal, SDSO, the MD of Schools, and the Teaching & Learning team to foster a safe, equitable, and student-centered environment.

• Lead school-based enrollment and recruitment efforts, including tours, open houses, and onboarding new families to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience.

• Partner with the Founding Principal and network leaders to define founding operational priorities aligned to school design and instructional vision.

• Represent operations in school design decisions (schedules, daily routines, student flow, staffing models).

• Lead operational planning for community engagement, recruitment events, and founding family onboarding.

Financial Management & Budget Stewardship

• Partner with the Principal and Network Finance Team to build, monitor, and adjust the school budget; recommend corrective actions to ensure reserves and targets are met.

• Track revenue and expenses across categories (supplies, food service, facilities, aftercare, etc.), making proactive adjustments to close gaps.

• Coordinate procurement processes for essential curricular and school supplies.

• Provide clear, data-driven updates to SDSO, Principal, and network leadership.

• Build the start-up operational budget and manage all founding-year purchasing, vendor negotiations, and launch-related resource planning.

• Oversee procurement of all founding furniture, technology, materials, and supplies to ensure full Day 1 readiness.

• Coordinate with facilities and finance teams on operational activation of the building.

Facilities, Safety & Compliance

• Oversee facilities management and vendor partnerships to maintain safe, functional, and welcoming spaces.

• Develop proactive facilities and safety calendars, ensuring readiness for key deadlines (e.g., testing windows, first day of school, compliance submissions).

• Lead emergency preparedness systems, including safety drills, protocols, and staff readiness.

• Ensure the school meets all health, safety, and legal compliance requirements.

• Lead building readiness planning, including walkthroughs, equipment installation, space allocation, and safety configuration.

• Establish founding safety systems and documentation (emergency plans, safety routines, staff training).

• Develop year-over-year operational shifts to support growing school needs.

• Build the compliance calendar and ensure all pre-opening requirements (DOE, DOH, FDNY, etc.) are met.

Team Management & Coaching

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of operations staff, with clear performance goals, feedback structures, and accountability systems.

• Model effective coaching by addressing underperformance directly and supporting professional growth.

• Build a collaborative, high-trust operations culture that strengthens teacher and family confidence.

• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and SOPs for every operations employee before Day 1.

Operational Planning & Systems Execution

• Design and execute detailed, minute-by-minute plans for complex school events (testing windows, orientation, family nights, etc.), integrating staff, student flow, facilities, and contingencies.

• Lead and monitor systems for enrollment, testing, and state assessments to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effective communication with staff and families.

• Steward systems for attendance and operational data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and accessibility for decision-making.

• Lead professional development on school operations and systems.

• Establish role clarity and accountability systems across staff, ensuring follow-through.

• Build all founding systems and workflows (arrival/dismissal, attendance, testing, communications, meals, scheduling, safety, materials distribution).

• Create the school operations handbook and all founding SOPs.

• Lead operational planning for summer PD, staff induction, and first-day-of-school readiness.

• Coordinate with network teams on technology deployment, student information systems setup, and data workflows.

About You

• Deep alignment with Prospect Schools’ mission and values.

• Minimum of 5 years of operational leadership experience in education, nonprofit, or related sectors.

• Demonstrated success designing and implementing systems from scratch (experience in founding or startup environments preferred).

• Proven track record of budget management, facilities oversight, compliance, enrollment operations, family engagement, and team leadership.

• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to map long-term plans, manage multiple priorities, and execute under tight timelines.

• Skilled at building inclusive, trusting, and collaborative relationships across staff, families, vendors, and community partners.

• Ability to thrive in ambiguity, design clarity where none exists, and act with both urgency and strategic foresight.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to frame decisions and recommendations for senior leaders.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Salary: Employees at Prospect Schools are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. The salary range for this role is from $117,000 – $129,146.

Compensation and Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Vacation Days

• 401(K) and Roth 401(K) with a 4% employer match with a 3-year vesting schedule

• Flexible spending accounts, including Transit Commuter Options, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA options

• Ancillary insurance, including Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program with free expert support services to assist with a variety of life issues, from family care to mental health services

Equal Opportunity Employer

EEO and ADA Statement Prospect Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We actively recruit, hire, and retain a diverse and inclusive staff. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Prospect Schools is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at: careers@prospectschools.org.

The critical features of this job are described above; they may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

If you require assistance or accommodations due to a disability, contact us at: careers@prospectschools.org