Chief Operating Officer

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Description

Valley Christian Schools is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Chief Operating Officer dedicated to shaping future culture changers for Christ through operational excellence. The COO will be responsible for overseeing the business and day-to-day (non-classroom) operations of Valley Christian Schools under the guidance of the Head of School (HOS). This includes, but is not limited to, financial operations, project management, customer service, organizational culture, quality management, systems and processes, information technology, human resources, capital projects, data analysis, and more.

The COO ensures a world-class experience for our three key demographics: staff, students, and parents. The COO optimizes our company's operating capabilities, employs strategies to maximize customer satisfaction, and manages new process initiatives. The COO teams up with management at all levels to implement operational strategies. The COO is an exemplary leader, possesses superb business acumen, and has a sound understanding of business strategies. The COO provides direct leadership to operational support departments, including accounting, business services, security, IT, HR, and all facility improvements, as well as mission-critical projects and programs, as assigned by the HOS.

Role And Responsibilities

• Drives the company’s operating capabilities to surpass customer satisfaction (staff, parents, students), retention (staff and students), and overall company goals.
• Works alongside the CEO and Controller to develop the operations plan and to properly resource departments for staffing, capital, and resource needs.
• Plans and executes new business initiatives.
• Implements new processes and evaluates and modifies existing processes.
• Drives collaboration across all departments to facilitate a consistent and thorough approach.
• Works with the CEO to ensure that all operational elements of the strategic plan are implemented, and targets, benchmarks, and ultimate outcomes are achieved.
• Oversees the design and implementation of staff training programs (Emerging Leaders, Leadership Development, etc) for team members to enhance skills and drive continuous improvements.
• Develops project plans and leads cross-functional teams through planning, execution, and completion phases.
• Works collaboratively alongside the CEO and Controller to manage the school’s finances by developing the school’s annual operating budget, ensure financial stability and discipline, report financials to the board and shareholders, and manage the school’s investment portfolio.
• Works collaboratively alongside the Campus Principals to ensure the VCS campus is clean, well maintained, and compliant with any safety and sanitation regulations.
• Manages all CapEx projects, including relationships with vendors, financial tracking and reporting (working with the Controller), public communication, and more.
• Directly oversees the following departments:
• Accounting
• Business Services
• Human Resources
• Information Technology (IT)
• Security
• Acts as the primary point of contact between VCS and stakeholders for legal matters, mitigating operational risks.
• Leads missional and organization alignment committee, an initiative of the school’s strategic plan.
• Serves on the VCS executive leadership team (ELT) and attends staff, departmental, leadership, and other meetings as required.
• Adheres to Valley Christian policies, procedures/processes, statement of faith, and the Valley Way.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position involves substantial supervisory responsibilities, including leading other leaders at VCS.
• Conducts interviews and makes hiring and firing decisions of department directors.
• Trains, supervises, counsels, and evaluates department directors.
• Conducts regular 1-on-1 meetings with direct reports.
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrates a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is a consistent testimony to others.
• Agree to uphold Valley Christian’s Mission & Beliefs which can be found at http://valleychristianaz.org/about/philosophy/
• Faithfully attend and financially support a local church whose beliefs are in agreement with our school’s Mission & Beliefs.
• Ability to think creatively about a business solution, exhibiting an exceptional degree of ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness in decision making and problem solving.
• Strong analytical, managerial, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Leadership acumen, ability to influence and negotiate with disparate parties.
• High EQ with track record of successful consensus building and managing up and down organizations.
• Effective listening and relationship-building skills with the public, staff, students, media, and school guests.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written. Diplomatic, tactful, and effective consulting, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Strong project management skills and ability to influence others and lead cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of analytics and performance metrics.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Must have and maintain a valid level one IVP fingerprint card.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software, with emphasis in Excel.
• Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment and to react with discretion.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, educational leadership, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in operational leadership roles.
• Familiarity with GAAP.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Knowledge

• MBA or other relevant graduate degree.
• 5 years of non-profit or for-profit leadership experience.
• 5 years of financial leadership with some experience in a school setting.
• CPA or CMA designation.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Use a computer (visual and keyboarding) for long periods of time.
• Able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) 50% of the time.
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• At times requires stooping, bending, turning, pushing, pulling, reaching and climbing stairs (2-story).
• Use of hands, fingers, arms to reach, grip and maneuver objects.
• Must be able to respond quickly to sounds (fire/security alarms).
• Work in noisy and crowded school environment.
• Able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and evenings when needed.
• Frequent walking throughout the campus.
• Work around small children including sitting, standing, running and climbing stairs.
• Must be able to lift and carry small children up to 40 pounds in case of emergency.
  
  

Background Check Statement

VCS conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

About Valley Christian Schools

Valley Christian Schools offers students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade, big school opportunities in a small school environment. Established in 1982, VCS provides 1100 students a distinctly Christian education with excellent academics, championship athletics, award-winning fine arts and a supporting community that encourages spiritual growth and the success of our students in and out of the classroom across our two East Valley campuses. VCS has been consistently recognized as one of the top Christian high schools in the nation and one of the best K-12 Christian schools in the state, in large part due to our outstanding and committed faculty and staff. Through annual surveys, our team members have named VCS as a Top Workplace in Arizona in 2023 and 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: Subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Valley Christian Schools does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, and national or ethnic origin in its admissions or in the administration of its education policies, programs, or activities. In addition, subject to Subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Valley Christian Schools does not discriminate in its employment practices. Valley Christian Schools is a Christian education institution and, in compliance with Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964, reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religion. It is our desire to build an employee community of individuals who are currently living out their Christian faith that agree with our Statement of Faith, beliefs, philosophy, and qualifications.

Salary Description

$100,000 - $120,000 DOE