Director Of Operations Fellow
Uncommon Schools
Director of Operations Fellow
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!
The Director of Operations Fellowship is a year-long, full-time program that prepares you to become a Director of Operations (DOO) of an Uncommon school. As DOO, you co-lead alongside a Principal, partnering to ensure your students receive an exemplary education.
The Fellowship is based on a foundation of four core elements that are aligned to the competencies of Uncommon leaders. Each element is designed to build Fellows' capacity towards becoming effective Directors of Operations. These include Fellowship Deliverables and School Immersion; Evaluation and Feedback; Operations Leadership Meetings, and Professional Development.
The DOO Fellowship typically lasts one year; however, flexibility is key as the fellowship can range from a couple of weeks (due to a mid-year transition) to more than a year (if an opening is unavailable [more common in smaller regions] or if the Fellow would benefit from additional time to develop). Fellows should expect to work in multiple locations and gradespans within the region. Fellow placement is based on the region's needs as well as Fellows' growth areas and matching them with host DOOs to best support their development.
Fellowship Deliverables and School Immersion
Fellows are placed at an existing Uncommon school and serve as full-time members of the school's operations team. They engage in operations work at their host school, tackle Uncommon-wide operations projects, and conduct observations and analysis of operational systems. Fellows are responsible for completing a variety of pre-determined deliverables designed to provide active learning that supports the development of their leadership.
Evaluation and Feedback
Fellows receive coaching and feedback from their Regional Superintendent of Operations and host DOO. This support is rooted in their Individualized Development Plans, which are customized around their strengths and areas of growth.
Operations Leadership Meetings
Fellows meet periodically with current DOOs, other Fellows in their region, and Fellows across all of Uncommon to share and problem solve around current cross-organization operational challenges and to build their network of current leaders.
Professional Development
Starting in the summer, Fellows engage in professional development focusing on Cultural Leadership, Management, and Operational Leadership. Each session will be led by our experienced group of Regional Superintendents of Instruction, Home Office teams, and a select group of external partners. Some examples of professional development sessions provided to our Fellows are Connecting with and Leading Teachers; Difficult Conversations; Managing Teams and Groups; Financial Management, and School Transportation, Food Services, and Health & Safety.
Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.
Compensation for this role is between $108,000 to $114,500. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $108,000.
Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.
Benefits include generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). Extensive, best-in-class training and development. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA). Financial Planning including New Jersey Pension program. Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.). Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits.
At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 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.