HS Director of Operations

HS Director of Operations

About Forte Preparatory Academy

Forte Preparatory Academy is a college preparatory charter school serving students in Queens, New York. Our mission is to prepare all students to graduate from college and lead lives of purpose. We believe that strong daily operations are foundational to that mission. When the building runs well, teachers can teach and students can learn.

As Forte Prep opens its new high school campus at 78-02 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, NY, we are seeking a Director of Operations to lead the day-to-day operations of the high school building.

Role Overview

The Director of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operational excellence of Forte Prep's high school campus at 78-02 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, NY. This role leads the school's operations team and owns the systems that keep the building running smoothly each day, including procurement, food service, classroom supplies and equipment, school safety and security, and special events.

This position requires a leader who combines strong project management skills with sound operational judgment and the ability to hold high standards across multiple workstreams at once. The Director of Operations must anticipate the school's logistical needs before they become problems, build clear systems that scale as the campus grows, and partner closely with school leaders, the Facilities Manager, and Central Office staff.

The Director of Operations reports to the Chief Operating Officer in the Central Office and serves on the high school leadership team. The role supervises the High School's Operations Manager, Operations Associate, and Central Office staff.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the high school operations team, including the Operations Manager, Operations Associate, and School Aide
• Set clear performance expectations and provide regular feedback to direct reports
• Build operations systems and procedures that scale as the high school’s enrollment grows, implementing clear feedback loops and opportunities for process improvements
• Serve as a member of the high school leadership team and contribute to school-wide planning

Vendor Management and Procurement

• Serve as primary school-based relationship manager for the high school's critical external vendors, including IT, food service, janitorial staff and building ownership
• Track vendor performance against contracted service standards and escalate underperformance with documentation
• Partner with the Chief Operating Offi cer on vendor agreement negotiation, renewal, and procurement decisions
• Oversee school-based purchasing, including placing orders, tracking deliveries, and maintaining accurate inventory of supplies and equipment
• Partner with COO to ensure procurement follows network purchasing policies
• Maintain accurate records of all purchases, deliveries, vendor agreements, and inventory counts

School Food Service and Cafeteria Operations

• Oversee daily food service operations, including breakfast, lunch, and any after-school food programs
• Manage relationships with food service vendors and ensure timely, accurate meal delivery
• Coordinate accommodations for students with dietary restrictions, allergies, and medical needs
• Ensure cafeteria and kitchen operations comply with Department of Health, New York State, and SUNY requirements

Classroom Supplies and Equipment

• Manage the procurement, distribution, and inventory of classroom supplies, textbooks, and instructional materials
• Coordinate with academic leaders to anticipate curriculum-driven supply needs across the academic calendar, including the start of the year, testing windows, and AP exams
• Track classroom equipment, including furniture and technology, and coordinate repairs or replacements with the Facilities Manager
• Maintain supply rooms and ordering schedules to prevent shortages

Safety, Security, and Emergency Response

• Partner with the Facilities Manager and school leaders to maintain a safe, secure school environment
• Coordinate fire drills, lockdown drills, and other required emergency response training in compliance with applicable regulations
• Maintain school safety documentation, including drill logs, visitor sign-in systems, and emergency contact lists
• Serve as a point of contact for safety-related incidents at the high school campus

Special Events and Logistics

• Plan and execute logistics for school events, including graduation, family nights, recruitment events, testing days, and fi eld trips
• Coordinate setup, breakdown, staffing, and vendor management for all major school events
• Partner with the Family Manager and other school staff to ensure events run smoothly
• Build event playbooks that can be reused as the school grows

Qualifications

• At least 4 years of operations, school operations, or related management experience in education
• At least 2 years of demonstrated success managing a small team or multiple large projects
• Strong organizational and project management skills with a track record of delivering on tight timelines
• Comfort with budget tracking, purchase orders, and vendor management
• Experience with school logistics, including events, procurement, and food service, is preferred
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work eff ectively with school leaders, teachers, families, and Central Office staff
• Proficiency in Microsoft Offi ce, Google Workspace, and standard school operations systems
• Exceptional reliability, follow-through, and attention to detail
• Spanish proficiency is preferred

What We Are Looking For

The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

• A belief that strong operations create the conditions for great teaching and learning
• A track record of building and managing operational systems that scale
• The judgment to prioritize across many simultaneous workstreams in a school environment
• Strong organizational discipline and the ability to coach a small team
• A proactive mindset that anticipates logistical needs before they become problems

Compensation The salary range for this role is $105,000 to $125,000, commensurate with experience. Forte Prep Academy offers a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, 403(b) matching, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, a smartphone, and a laptop.