Director of Charter Launch and Operations

Job Description

Company Profile:

In partnership with educators, government agencies, and community leaders across the nation, Graduation Alliance provides versatile pathways to high school graduation for youth and adults, fosters college and career exploration, and connects job creators to skilled and ready workers. Since 2007, Graduation Alliance has worked with more than 650 state agencies, school districts, community colleges, and workforce boards around the country to recruit, re-enroll, educate, and mentor students. Graduation Alliance also operates The American Academy, an exemplary online high school that is fully accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission, a division of Cognia.

Our full-service diploma completion programs can be delivered in facility-based, blended, or fully online settings. These programs are supported with recruiting, transcript analysis, technology, coaching and mentoring, and robust support services.

We also develop and facilitate skill certification packages with tailored support to students of all ages. In coordination with local and national employers, we offer work experience, internship programs and job placement. And we partner with institutions to provide pathways to post-secondary education and career training, complete with preferential enrollment, dual credit opportunities, and early financial aid reviews.

In early 2021, Graduation Alliance became a Certified B Corporation. B Corporations use the power of their businesses to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, and meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Graduation Alliance works for one common goal: creating opportunity through the power of education.

Duties And Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Director of Charter Launch and Operations is a strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing the successful planning, execution, and delivery of key projects that support both new and existing charter school partnerships. This role ensures the effective coordination of initiatives related to FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) reporting, new program and school launches, grant tracking and implementation, and other strategic operational priorities.

The Director serves as a project manager, cross-functional leader, and systems thinker who ensures alignment between organizational goals, compliance requirements, and school-level outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Management

• Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of complex, multi-departmental projects supporting new and existing charter schools.

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  Establish project goals, timelines, deliverables, and success metrics aligned with organizational and partner objectives.
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  Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among internal departments (Academic Services, Enrollment, Data, Finance, and Compliance) and external stakeholders.
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  Develop and maintain standardized project management tools, workflows, and communication protocols.

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  Manage risk, troubleshoot issues, and proactively identify solutions to keep projects on track.

FTE Reporting & Compliance

• Create and oversee the plan for the accurate collection, validation, and submission of FTE data in alignment with state and charter requirements.

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  Ensure processes and systems are in place for data accuracy, compliance, and audit-readiness.

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  Collaborate with all stakeholders to streamline FTE reporting and improve efficiency.

New School & Program Launches

• Serve as the operational lead for all new charter school or program launches.

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  Coordinate tasks across departments including academic planning, staffing, technology, enrollment, and compliance.

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  Develop and manage launch timelines and readiness checklists to ensure smooth start-up operations.

Grant Management & Implementation

• Track and manage grant-funded initiatives, ensuring compliance with reporting and spending requirements.

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  Collaborate with finance and academic teams to align grant goals with school and program outcomes.

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  Maintain documentation and evidence of implementation for all active grants.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise project coordinators or other operations staff as assigned.

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  Provide training and mentorship in project management methodologies and best practices.

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  Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across teams.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Project Management, or related field.

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  Minimum of 7 years of project management or operational leadership experience, preferably in K–12 education, charter school management, or a similar environment.
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  Proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects from concept to completion.
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  Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

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  Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Monday.com) and Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education Administration, Project Management, or related discipline.

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  PMP or similar project management certification.

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  Experience with FTE reporting, state compliance requirements, and education-related grant administration.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and operational planning

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  Excellent communication and facilitation skills
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  Data-driven decision-making
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  Stakeholder relationship management
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  Continuous improvement mindset

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  Ability to lead cross-functional teams with diplomacy and clarity

Both Stratus.hr and Graduation Alliance will extend equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, creed, age (40 and over), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, national origin, ethnic background, genetic information (including of a family member), past, current, or prospective military service, and/or citizenship, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal law.