Director of Operations

Director of Operations Stow, MA, United States of America | req2373 Posted on: 05/03/2026 Position: Director of Operations Location: Stow, Massachusetts, Masters Academy International Start Date: April, 2026 Masters Academy International Masters Academy International (MAI) is New England’s only school that intentionally integrates pro-level athletics with top-tier academics to prepare future leaders who excel in sport, scholarship, and life. At MAI, world-class teaching and learning require world-class operational infrastructure. Our students and faculty perform at high levels. That performance depends on a campus environment that is safe, compliant, beautiful, efficient, and seamlessly run. Operations at MAI are not back-office functions; they are mission-critical enablers of excellence. About the Role MAI is seeking a Director of Operations to serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the School Leadership Team. This leader is responsible for ensuring that all operational aspects of MAI function at a very high level—smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with our brand, regulatory obligations, and stakeholder expectations. The Director of Operations sits at the center of campus life, bringing together facilities, divisional operations staff, vendors, compliance requirements, and leadership priorities. This role ensures that “everything works.” It requires a rare combination of strategic vision, technical expertise, operational discipline, and emotional intelligence. The ideal candidate is a systems builder who thrives in complexity, transforms complexity into clarity, and is relentlessly focused on service excellence. This leader understands schools deeply and is motivated by creating an environment where teachers can teach at their best, coaches can train for excellence, and students can learn at their highest potential. What You Will Do The Director of Operations serves as a strategic advisor and operational leader, partnering closely with the Campus Leadership Team to translate institutional priorities into clear systems, execution plans, and measurable results. This role oversees all aspects of campus operations—including facilities, maintenance, security, transportation, food service, health services, vendor management, and compliance—ensuring the school operates safely, efficiently, and in alignment with brand standards and family expectations. The Director leads budget development and financial stewardship in partnership with the CFO, negotiates and manages major service contracts, and ensures full compliance with local, state, federal, and accreditor requirements. They champion service excellence across every operational touchpoint, build and develop high-performing operations teams, and create streamlined, scalable systems that remove friction and enhance the student and family experience. Ultimately, this leader ensures campus readiness year-round and fosters an environment where educators can focus on teaching and students can thrive. Who You Are The ideal candidate is deeply aligned with MAI’s mission and believes that operational excellence is foundational to educational excellence. They bring strong technical expertise in compliance, risk management, vendor oversight, and facilities operations, along with exceptional organizational and systems-thinking skills. Able to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously, they can zoom out to see strategic patterns while also diving into the details to solve problems effectively. This leader builds strong, trust-based relationships across functions, leads through credibility and influence, and remains calm and decisive in ambiguous or high-pressure situations. With a proven track record of hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teams, they are motivated by service and take pride in enabling others to succeed. They embody MAI’s core values—collaborative, learning-oriented, accountable, resourceful, adaptive, and courageous—leading with both humility and confidence. Qualifications •Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business, operations, education administration, or related field preferred. •Significant experience in operations leadership, preferably within an independent school, high-performance institution, or similarly complex environment. •Demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, vendor management, and facilities oversight. •Strong financial literacy and experience managing operational budgets. •Proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams. •Experience working in matrixed organizations and leading through influence. To view the full Role Profile, please click here. Compensation and Benefits The salary range is $125,000 to $150,000. Benefits for eligible roles include medical, life insurance, a 401(k) savings plan, and more. Diversity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization. We strive to build a culture in which every colleague feels that they belong, are trusted, and are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and strongly encourage those from underrepresented groups to apply. How to Apply: Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: 30th April 2026. Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background. Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.

Salary : $125,000 - $150,000