Director of Facilities, Brilla NYBrilla Schools Network

Seton Education Partners seeks a mission-driven, results-oriented leader to be the Director of Facilities (DOF) for the Brilla Schools Network in Bronx, NY. The DOF will oversee facilities management across all of our existing school buildings. We seek a highly motivated, entrepreneurial professional with a high level of customer service, school operations, and general facilities management experience. The DOF will report to the Chief Operations and Community Relations Officer and work closely with school-based operations teams. 

About Seton Education Partners

Co-founded in 2009 by KIPP pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García, Seton Education Partners is a response to the dramatic decline of urban Catholic schools which have historically been the greatest equalizing factor for economically underserved children, families and communities in America for decades. 

Specifically, Seton expands opportunities for parents in underserved communities to choose an academically excellent, character rich, and—for those who seek it—vibrantly Catholic education for their children. As a national non-profit, Seton partners with (arch)dioceses and others across the country to implement innovative and sustainable new models that bridge the best of Catholic education's rich tradition with new possibilities. Seton was born of the belief that a tremendous opportunity exists to revitalize urban Catholic schools in America and strengthen the education they provide. The challenges are significant, to be sure, but with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, much can and should be done, not only to preserve this national treasure but also to build on its foundation for the benefit of thousands of children in America’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Seton has pioneered multiple innovative and high-impact solutions to the shuttering of Catholic schools in underserved communities. Seton is working to take these remarkable achievements to scale by managing a network of schools and programs that ensure that thousands of underserved children whose Catholic schools close—and other local children—have access to an academically excellent, character-building, and, for those who choose it, faith-nurturing education. Seton provides a national model for how other cities facing the shuttering of Catholic schools can continue to serve children and families with limited educational options. For more information on Seton Education Partners, please visit www.SetonPartners.org.

About the Brilla Schools Network

Brilla Public Charter Schools is a network of K-8th grade schools that currently serves nearly 1,600 students from Mott Haven, University Heights and other neighborhoods in the Bronx. The network plans to grow from a current four elementary and one middle school to five elementary and five middle schools educating some 4,000 students in the Bronx and Paterson, NJ. Core to our mission is that our students become young men and women of good character and spirit and be prepared for excellence in high school, college, and beyond. Brilla combines a classical approach to education -- an emphasis on virtue formation, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, and direct instruction of a content-rich curriculum that has stood the test of time -- with co-teaching practices and individualized online learning.* We approach the formation of our students holistically and also set high academic expectations. Ours is a joyful community that honors the dignity of each student, family member and staff. 

About El Camino Network

El Camino, which means “The Way” in Spanish, is an optional, privately-funded Catholic after-school faith formation program that is closely partnered with Brilla charter schools. El Camino helps children, their families and their catechists to know, love and serve Christ and His Church; develop the habits, dispositions and beliefs that are indispensable to human flourishing and happiness; and live as disciples in this world and saints in the next. El Camino honors the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. In the last 10 years, over 230 children have been baptized through our program. 

El Camino currently serves approximately 40% of Brilla’s students for 90 minutes a day, Monday through Thursday. Children receive homework help from experienced teachers, a nutritious snack, and 30 minutes each of catechism and physical fitness. Additionally, children and families have opportunities for shared and personal prayer and character formation. This video provides a snapshot of El Camino. El Camino will grow to serve children through 8th grade, growing a grade level at a time each year.

About the position

The Director of Facilities is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of facilities and maintenance operations within the charter school network. This role involves strategic planning, budget management, and ensuring a safe, clean, and efficient environment for students, staff, and visitors. The Director of Facilities will collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance the overall learning experience by maintaining high-quality facilities that support the educational mission of the charter school network.

Main Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning:
  • Develop and implement a long-term facilities maintenance and improvement plan aligned with the charter school network's mission and goals.
  • Collaborate with school leadership to prioritize facility needs based on educational requirements and budget constraints.
• Budget Management:
  • Create and manage the facilities budget, ensuring effective use of resources and adherence to financial guidelines.
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising the safety and functionality of facilities.
• Maintenance Oversight:
  • Supervise and coordinate maintenance staff, ensuring timely and effective completion of repair and maintenance tasks.
  • Implement preventive maintenance programs to extend the life of facilities and equipment.
• Safety and Compliance:
  • Ensure all facilities comply with local, state, and federal safety regulations and codes.
  • Develop and maintain emergency response plans and procedures in coordination with school leadership.
• Vendor Management:
  • Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
  • Conduct regular assessments of vendor performance and recommend changes when necessary.
• Environmental Sustainability:
  • Implement environmentally sustainable practices within school facilities, including energy efficiency initiatives and waste reduction programs.
• Communication and Collaboration:
  • Communicate regularly with school leadership, staff, and other stakeholders regarding facility-related matters.
  • Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to address their specific facility needs.
• Technology Integration:
  • Stay abreast of emerging technologies related to facilities management and recommend innovations that improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

Candidates for the position must possess the following personal characteristics:

• Demonstrated ability to quickly build productive and meaningful relationships with multiple stakeholders including school and network based staff, families, and community members 
• Proven ability to effectively support, collaborate, and partner with a variety of personalities and working styles and an openness and generosity of spirit in navigating differences
• Project management expertise and the ability to drive efficiency and excellence in all aspects of work alongside and/or through others
• Optimistic self-starter with the ability to prioritize competing goals, exhibit flexibility, grace and sound judgment along with productive urgency in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and a keen attention to detail
• Fluency in Spanish a plus

The ideal candidate will bring experience, skills, and beliefs in the following areas:

• Bachelor’s degree in facilities management, business administration, engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Proven experience in facilities management, preferably in an educational setting.
• Strong understanding of building systems, codes, and regulations.
• Excellent project management and budgeting skills.
• Leadership and team management experience.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of environmental sustainability practices.
• Familiarity with technology solutions for facilities management.

Diversity & Inclusivity

We are building an organization in which talented individuals from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.

*At Brilla, education in the classical tradition is understood to require the education of the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - in the service of human flourishing. Cognitive development and character formation are interdependent: People flourish by living out the virtues. A time-proven way of learning how to live out the virtues is to learn about, contemplate, and discuss how these virtues have been expressed in literature and history and represented in time-tested works. 

Secondarily, a classical education is pedagogically consistent with modern cognitive science. Many current pedagogies are not fully consistent with what we know today about brain development. In contrast, classical pedagogy (referred to as the Trivium) perfectly corresponds to how the brain develops. It emphasizes patterns, routines, and facts that young brains crave (Grammar stage); it leverages the brain’s orientation to asking “why” in the middle years (Logic stage); and it focuses on communication and persuasion in the high school years (Rhetoric stage).

To Apply

Initial application materials include a cover letter, contact information for three references, and a resume that includes information on your background and leadership experience.

Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Seton Education Partners provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.

The base pay range for this position is $115,000 to $120,000 per year. Pay may vary within the stated range, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits will be provided.