Operations Director (2026-2027 and Immediate)

Follow your passion Are you ready to lead the next chapter of educational excellence? At Zeta, we pursue an unprecedented combination of high academic achievement and social-emotional development for our students. We insist that every student receives a world-class education while fostering a love for learning. We are passionate about changing the landscape of public education in New York City and beyond, and we are uncompromising in our mission. We currently operate multiple elementary and middle schools across the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Queens , and continue to grow - opening 1–2 new schools each year, because children in every community deserve excellent, equitable education. As part of this organizational expansion, we are also preparing to welcome our first-ever Zeta High School class of 9th graders in the 2026-27 school year, a milestone that marks the next chapter in our mission to provide a world-class, PreK-12 pathway. Join our growing team today and be a change agent for children. Deliver powerful results To achieve our vision, we are searching for an Operations Director with a Bachelor’s degree and high pressure operations leadership experience along with a proven record of leadership abilities and a relentlessly high excellence bar, preferably with operations leadership experience in a K–12 school setting . Responsibilities: Be the Safety leader of your school, including developing and maintaining safety systems, safety training and culture, emergency response plans, and crisis management, Own the full operational vision and execution for the school , leading a 2–6 person operations team to deliver exceptional, reliable, and scalable systems through a culture of high expectations, clear accountability, and continuous improvement. Design, implement, and refine schoolwide operational systems – including arrival, lunch, recess, transitions, and dismissal – to ensure a seamless, safe, and joyful experience for students, staff, and families. Serve as the chief steward of a world-class facility , overseeing facilities management, vendor partnerships, emergency preparedness, and building-level relationships (e.g., landlord) to maintain a safe, compliant, and inspiring environment for learning. Ensure excellence in financial and compliance operations , including but not limited to credit card and invoice management, DOE billing, ACS and custody compliance, and adherence to all city, state, and federal requirements in partnership with Network Operations, Finance, and Advisory Teams. Lead technology operations for staff, students, and the building – ensuring tools and systems are functional, secure, and optimized for instructional and operational needs. Manage and develop the School Business Operations Team (SBOT) through coaching, performance management, and targeted professional development, ensuring the team consistently meets or exceeds Zeta’s operational goals. Own the school’s Zeta Operational Excellence (ZOE) Action Plan , analyzing data, driving monthly priorities, and ensuring strong communication and alignment with school leadership and network partners. Act as the primary liaison between the School Team and Network Operations , proactively surfacing needs, sharing insights, and ensuring smooth coordination on all non-academic school matters. Join our purpose-driven community Zeta teammates are lifelong learners who live with child-like joy and a deep sense of purpose. We disrupt the status quo and tackle problems together. Our team stands united by our commitment to a limitless future for every child. Our Zeta team is comprised of top talent with incredible schooling and private sector experience. At Zeta: We are passionate about our mission of providing world-class education to all students We bring a mindset of growth, flexibility, and openness to feedback We are hungry and determined to not only meet our goals, but surpass them We are humble, willing to put the team’s needs ahead of our own, and committed