Chief Operating Officer

Position Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Statewide with Oahu Preference

Employment Type: Full-Time,12mo

Appointment Type: At-Will

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification: Excluded Managerial (HGEA-Excluded)

Requisition #: REQ-SY2627-SR-001

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of Hawai'i Technology Academy's Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for translating strategic vision into organizational excellence across finance, facilities, legal, technology, and operational functions. This position leads many of the school's non-academic operations, fostering coordination, collaboration, and cohesion across departments to ensure advancement of HTA's mission and vision and execution of strategic priorities.

As a rapidly growing organization, HTA must continue to evolve to ensure its processes, systems, and infrastructure scale to meet the increasingly complex and sophisticated needs of the school. Reporting to the Executive Director, the COO oversees many of the systems, staff, and partnerships that enable HTA's statewide blended-learning model to thrive sustainably.

The COO provides cross-functional leadership in financial forecasting and capital planning, ensuring fiscal integrity, compliance, and transparency. Candidates should have a working knowledge of school budgets and be comfortable with financial statement analysis and U.S. accounting practices. The position oversees facilities planning and operations, including lease negotiations, maintenance, and expansion projects. The role also includes overall managerial responsibility for IT and software development functions, aligning digital infrastructure with HTA's educational mission. The COO also leads relationships with external entities — such as lenders, donors, regulators, and affiliated nonprofits (Friends of HTA, HTA Campus Development Corporation) — and stewards key regulatory and contractual processes, including oversight of outside legal counsel and Charter Commission interactions.

The COO drives strategic planning, evaluates growth opportunities, and ensures alignment between vision and execution. The position plays a central role in advancing HTA's brand, external relations, and advocacy for innovative, data-driven education. Finally, as a key member of the school's executive leadership team, this position will be an important sounding board, advisor, and confidant for the Executive Director and will routinely interface with the governing board and related committees as well.

The ideal candidate is an experienced financial or operations executive or seasoned educator (ideally with charter school experience) who thrives in mission-driven settings, blending analytical rigor with collaborative leadership to sustain HTA's long-term impact and stability. As HTA grows, our goal is not simply to expand, but to improve—demonstrating that "Doing School Differently" truly means "Doing School Better."

Start Date: Immediate, June 2026, or June 2027. While this position is an immediate need, HTA respects the need for candidates to fulfill commitments to current employers and is willing to wait for the right person if necessary. Application period closes February 2026

Minimum Qualifications: HTA will accept applications from candidates with high-level operational or financial experience at educational institutions as well as corporations or non-profit organizations of a similar size (250 employees, budget of $30 million) or larger. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a closely related field.

Preferred qualifications: Master's degree in a related field.

Although out-of-state applicants are welcome to apply, all HTA employees must be Hawaii residents, and HTA does not anticipate providing a relocation allowance.

Travel: The school's administrative offices are located in Waipahu, HI (on the island of Oahu), but it is not anticipated that the COO will maintain an office at the premises. However, the COO should expect to make him/herself available for in-person meetings regularly at that location as well as other campuses (including neighbor island campuses). The COO should expect daytrips to neighbor islands one to three times a month, with an occasional overnight trip and travel to the Continent as well.

Compensation & Benefits: Salary Range: $125,000- $165,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position includes standard State of Hawaii employees' health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, employee state retirement, flex spending, 403B, and paid leave.

HGEA Excluded Managerial Disclosure

This role is an Excluded Managerial position, meaning it is a leadership role that is not represented by a union and is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The position is at-will and reports directly to the Executive Director.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Hawaii Technology Academy PCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with State and federal law.

Additional Conditions of Employment

Successful completion of a background check, TB clearance, Verification of education and employment history, and ability to meet all State employment eligibility requirements.

Additional Questions: Potential candidates with questions about this role are encouraged to reach out to HTA Executive Director Matt Zitello

Salary : $125,000 - $165,000