SY 26-27 Founding Operations Manager (East New York)

MESA Links is a growing network of high-performing charter schools serving the diverse communities of Brooklyn. Our flagship campus, Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High School, opened its doors in Bushwick in August 2013 and now serves 500 students in grades 9–12. Since graduating our first class of seniors in 2017, MESA Bushwick has maintained a 94% cumulative graduation rate, reflecting our students' strong commitment to their academic success.

MESA East New York is launching its high school and is seeking a Founding Operations Manager to help shape systems from the ground up. Following the successful transition and closure of CAMPA Charter School in 2025–26, we are building a high school rooted in academic excellence, equity, and community impact. We will welcome our founding class of 125 9th graders in August of 2026 and will "grow up" with them by adding subsequent grades each year. This is a rare opportunity to be part of a founding team and help establish the culture and systems of a new MESA high school for the 2026–27 school year. As Founding Operations Manager, you will play a critical role in designing and running the operational backbone of our school: from logistics and compliance to vendor management, student data systems, and facilities. You won't just maintain systems; you'll build them. This is a rare opportunity to shape the culture, processes, and infrastructure of a new institution from day one.

What makes us different is our staff. This year, 25% of our staff are in their fifth year or beyond at MESA, and we are proud to have seven MESA alumni on staff at Bushwick! MESA teachers believe…

• that the greatest contribution we can make to social justice is to give a young person control of their destiny
• committed people, when given autonomy, will find innovative and creative ways to make change
• that being a great educator takes intellectual preparation and a strong sense of personal accountability to produce high quality work.

What makes us different is our model:

• Intentional Grading—MESA uses a standards-based grading system, which makes data understandable and accessible. This enables teachers to create targeted, focused instruction, and helps students understand and track their own progress. MESA teachers love data or at the very least, aren’t afraid of it!
• Intentional Support—MESA teachers have a minimum of rote administrative duties in order to better focus on planning and instruction. Teachers receive ongoing coaching while dedicated time for co-teaching, department and grade team planning are built into the school schedule.
• Intentional Professional Development—MESA has a comprehensive professional development calendar that includes sessions on instructional practices, school culture as well as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
• Intentional School Culture—MESA’s advisory model connects small groups of entering freshmen with a teacher-advisor for all 4 years of high school. Advisors provide guidance on academic progress and are mentors, facilitators and positive influencers. Students are recognized by their teachers regularly for academic achievement and effort and are incentivized to meet school expectations around attendance, punctuality and preparedness.
• Intentional Relationships—MESA knows that all caregivers want their children to succeed. MESA enlists families as partners in their child’s education through regular communication, workshops, and access to student attendance information and grades. More than 85% of MESA caregivers attend the initial parent-teacher conference of the school year.
• Intentional Scheduling—MESA’s school day starts and ends later than most DOE schools, as research indicates that a late start helps high-school students succeed. The calendar and earlier start allows for “Intersession,” during Spring Break where students receive enrichment, skill remediation, or Regents preparation.

Job Responsibilities

The role of the Operations Manager is an integral part of MESA Charter High School’s success. The Operations Manager will work closely with the Director of Operations and Leadership Team to ensure optimal systems and procedures are implemented across the organization.

Student Information/Records:

• Maintain all student information on ATS, New York City’s internal database system
• Manage student Metrocard inventory, assign new cards, and replenish stock as necessary
• Assist Director of Operations with updating and maintaining student immunization records
• Conduct bi-yearly inventory of student files

Facilities/ Daily Operations:

• Assist Director of Operations with planning and execution of large and small scale facilities projects
• Conduct and maintain inventory of student and staff furniture
• Organize and execute student locker system (including maintenance of combinations)
• “Own” maintenance and upkeep of MESA common spaces such as Teacher Center and Library.
• Assist with student meal service, data, and compliance on a daily basis
• Assist with daily operations to ensure that it is ready and safe for students including arrival, dismissal, and lunch procedures.

Finance Support:

• Assist Director of Operations with creating of purchase orders in accordance with MESA’s Fiscal Policies and Procedures
• Maintain accurate inventory of fixed assets, along with all asset tagging and location tracking

Technology/IT Support

• Regular support and maintenance of student technology, in conjunction with MESA’s technology support team
• Develop and maintain calendar of classroom technology usage (laptop carts, computer lab usage, etc.)

Special Projects

• Assist Director of Operations with special/time-sensitive projects throughout the year, including but not limited to: summer inventory, school year startup, student lottery, parent conference setup, assemblies, end of year classroom breakdown
• Other duties, as assigned by the DSO

Qualifications: (1) Demonstrated record of ability to manage high-volume workload on tight deadlines; exceedingly strong interpersonal skills; (2) Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Operations Management, Organizational Management, Business or related field; (3) At least two years previous experience in Operations capacity at a charter school or similar environment; (4) Strong written/verbal communication skills; (5) Solutions-oriented, “game” attitude with “all-hands-on-deck” mentality. (6) Belief in and alignment with MESA’s core values, educational philosophy and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; (7) Spanish, Haitian Creole, Bengali speakers a plus.

Salary: $75,000- $90,000 based on experience.

To apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to Arthur Samuels, Co-Executive Director, at hiring@mesacharter.org with the subject heading “26-27 Founding Operations Manager (East New York).” Cover letter should specifically indicate why you want to work at MESA. APPLY BY EMAIL ONLY. Due to the nature of the position and the volume of applications received, MESA will not be able to reply to all submissions. MESA will contact candidates with next steps.

MESA is committed to attracting, hiring and retaining a diverse and inclusive staff. It is MESA’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.