Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will work with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Senior Leadership Team, and key contracted vendors to lead the non-academic components of eStem Public Charter Schools to ensure a high level of support, service, and compliance aligned with programmatic, strategic, and financial goals.

The COO will be an active participant and driver of eStem’s overall strategic direction, both as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and in operational recommendations to the CEO and Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Operating Officer leads and facilitates all aspects of the district’s non-academic operations, which include Information Technology, Facilities, Safety and Security, Child Nutrition, Human Resources, and Student Data Systems.

The COO ensures proper systems are being followed to meet federal, state, and local compliance regulations. The COO reports to the CEO and manages a small team, key vendor relationships, and contracted support to ensure operational success across all non-academic work streams in support of eStem Public Charter Schools' mission, vision, and goals.

This role consists of:

• Serve as the key operational advisor to the CEO to support decision-making;

• Determine, recommend, and develop the course of action for non-academic work streams, including IT, Facilities, Safety and Security, Child Nutrition, Human Resources, and Student Data Systems, in alignment with and support of eStem Public Charter Schools’ mission, vision, and goals.

• Partner with the CEO, CFO, and Senior Leadership Team to develop the operations budget and deliver on key objectives;

• Bring a solution-oriented approach to challenges while supporting members of the Senior Leadership Team; and

• Lead components of the district’s strategic plan to ensure completion of key objectives.

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operation for the selected course of action for all non-academic work streams, including IT, Facilities, Safety and Security, Child Nutrition, Human Resources, and Student Data Systems, in alignment with and support of eStem Public Charter Schools’ mission, vision, and goals.

• Manage key relationships with contracted vendors, including contract negotiations, accountability, performance management, and dispute resolution.

• Work closely with members of the Senior Leadership Team and School Directors to ensure operational success across schools in support of eStem Public Charter Schools’ academic goals.

• Ensure compliance with all required facilities requirements and covenants for the Arkansas Department of Education, eStem’s Funders, and any other required entity.

Lead and ensure compliance with all RFP/RFQ processes for non-academic vendor selection.

• Work with eStem’s insurance providers and the State of Arkansas to ensure all eStem’s insurance coverage needs are efficiently and effectively met;

• Ensure a safe, compliant, and student-ready environment across all classrooms in all schools.

• Work closely with the CFO to determine an Operations budget for each school year and manage key operational projects and initiatives in line with the budget and organizational goals and priorities.

• Create and deploy systems to ensure consistency, clarity, and efficiency across non-academic work streams, such as an IT ticketing system, a maintenance request system, and other similar systems.

• Use the data from those systems to inform decision-making and make recommendations to improve service and change practices as needed.

• Create and deploy systems to monitor and evaluate contracted vendors, including Food Service Providers, IT Support, Custodial Services, and other vendors as needed.

• Use data to make decisions regarding all contracted services, including contract renewal, dispute resolution, and other areas as needed.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the Chief Operating Officer will also perform other related duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

• 4-6 years of experience as a senior, strategic, operations leader in a school, charter school, or nonprofit, or a related position; experience in Arkansas preferred;

• Bachelor’s degree in related area; Master’s degree preferred;

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, or other software;

• Exceptional analytical skills and data management;

• Ability to work independently and efficiently;

• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal);

• A team player with a sense of collaboration and ownership;

• Ability to build strong, authentic relationships and credibility with people at all levels;

• Organized with attention to detail and ability to make timely, effective, mission-aligned decisions;

• Exceptional reliability and integrity to maintain confidentiality for sensitive issues