Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for overseeing the non-financial business operating aspects of the school, with a clear understanding of the school’s business needs. In doing so, the incumbent will support the school’s mission and exhibit a ‘Servant-Leadership’ style and acumen, as well as promoting ‘Christ-Like Attitudes’ in a formative way such that students, parents and colleagues will be drawn to “explore and deepen their relationship with Christ as a life-choice worthy of deep consideration without fear of discrimination or disadvantage.” This includes building and maintaining strong administrative relationships, as well as the prudent management of the school’s operational and risk management areas.

This position is a member of the Senior Leadership Team (“SLT”) and the Administrative Teamof the school and reports directly to the Head of School. This position also has key interaction with, and may receive functional guidance from, various members of the school’s Board of Directors.

Reporting Relationships

The Employee’s title, authority and duties shall be determined from time to time by the Head of School. In addition, the Employee shall faithfully comply with all reasonable instructions, directions, requests, rules and regulations made by or issued by OCS, either through the Head of School or the Board, in connection therewith. This position reports directly to the Head of School.

Direct Reports (as is currently structured) :

• Director of Technology and Information Systems
• Director of Athletics Programs
• Facilities/Operations Director
• Theater Technical Director
• Director of Security
• Director of Medical Services
• Others as may be assigned

Administrative Relationships

Facilitate and provide operational leadership and/or support to each department to ensure the best utilization of school fixed assets and resources.

• Work with all departments to promote high quality service to the school’s internal and external constituents (employees, parents, students, donors, board members).
• Work with functional area leaders to facilitate and evaluate current and future programs and to provide operational oversight for all, including summer programs, summer camps, and other areas.
• Work with the Head of School, Board and key SLT members to develop long-term strategic planning including, but not limited to, coordinating/developing/updating the school’s 5-Year Strategic Plan.
• Consult with the Head of School, Board members, and other key SLT members or department leaders on significant organizational or CapEx budget issues.

Position

General Duties

Athletics: Champion, oversee and work effectively with the school’s Athletic Director to ensure the effective and efficient program offering of sport school-wide. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, staff development; spiritual mentoring of coaches and students; assisting in the development of appropriate sports budgets; CIF compliance; and general oversight of the “One Oaks” Athletics Department and vision. This oversight includes the school’s ‘Cheer Program’ and seeks ways to increase school spirit and community involvement.

Facilities/Maintenance: Oversee day-to-day operations of all facilities including, but not limited to, the Bedrosian Pavilion; Middle School; High School and West Lake Properties. Oversee the development of a strategic Facility Master Plan for adoption by the Finance Committee. Develop facility portion of the annual five-year capital budget, with Head of School (“HOS”) concurrence for adoption by the Finance Committee, responsible for oversight of the school’s physical plant, including all buildings grounds, energy management, maintenance reserves, compliance issues, etc. Also, the incumbent is responsible for recommending to the Finance Committee proper reserve levels to be set aside for future maintenance, replacement, refurbishment and repairs.

Technology/Information Systems: Supervise the Director of Technology and Information Systems in maintaining the school’s network, phone system, security systems, business applications, Learning Management System (“LMS”) and web site architecture. Explore the development of a School-Wide Technology Plan (“Lights to Learning”).

Capital/Improvement Projects: Responsible for oversight and project management of all capital improvement projects with guidance from the Finance Committee. Support and work effectively with the Advancement Department, CFO and Head of School on all future campus capital expenditure projects and fundraising campaigns.

Insurance: Work effectively with the CFO and HR Director to negotiate all insurance policies of the school including health insurance, the school’s package policy including casualty, fire and earthquake insurance, educator’s liability and general liability insurance, umbrella policy, student accident and trip insurance, Directors and Officers policy, etc. coordinating with the Finance Committee to ensure proper coverage and limits are in place.

Other Duties: As assigned.

Specific Duties

• To protect, promote and nurture the ongoing Christian mission and ethos of Oaks Christian School
• To actively engage with the School Leadership; Administration; Academic Offices; Arts Department; Athletics Department; Staff and Faculty, in a highly-collaborative manner, to provide cohesive student, faculty, and staff community care
• Actively seek ways to “promote and leverage” Oaks Christian to impact the surrounding community
• Develop a comprehensive campus-wide Risk and Safety Management Plan identifying and addressing areas of risk and safety issues including, but not limited to, Site Safety; Child Protection; Campus Security and Student Trip Protocols.
• Work with the Head of School, and other Key Functional Leaders, to coordinate legal matters with outside counsel.
• Work with the CFO to ensure compliance with various city, state and federal regulations including, but not limited to, the school’s café, facility permits, operating licenses, etc.
• Oversee the school’s transportation (busing) needs (coordinates with the school’s Administrative Assistant) with the selected vendor including negotiation of an annual contract; pricing and route/service areas
• Responsible for all key operational contracts and negotiation (non-financial)
• Coordinate (with the school’s Administrative Assistant) the school’s various survey tools (e.g. employee; parents; students; athletes; etc.)
• Champion the ‘One Oaks’ Athletics Programs school-wide (includes working with HS/MS Principals)
• Lead, supervise and evaluate/assess the OCS Athletic Department’s Program and Staff. This currently involves setting goals and objectives (including budgets); observations; and written evaluations and assessments (including, but not limited to, the establishment of Improvement Plans, when necessary)
• Work with HR and Finance in matters of salary planning; SIP and staffing for the Athletic Department
• Provide leadership and responsibility for all CIF-related compliance matters
• Work with the HOS to develop “Community Building Activities” with Faculty Staff and Families.

Qualifications

Education

• Minimum - Bachelor of Arts Degree; Advanced Degree a Plus
• Leadership Training
• Able to effectively articulate; share and discuss their personal faith and walk with the Lord in engaging and effective ways to adults and students

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate a significant servant-leadership acumen and depth of thought, character and insight…and to be able to effectively and relationally work with teams and colleagues throughout the school community and enterprise.

Experience

• Significant operational; management and leadership experience
• Demonstrated effective team leadership skills
• Skilled problem solver and experienced in conflict resolution
• Solid and engaging communicator with adults and students
• Multicultural or international experience a plus

Personal Attributes

• Strong and evident personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ
• Strong and proven servant-leadership gifting
• Possess a strong sense of ‘Common Sense’
• Genuine and authentic
• Believe in and Demonstrate the “4 E’s” of Effective Leadership ( E xcellence; E xecution; Have enormous E nergy and the ability to energize others; and E dge (can make difficult decisions)
• Humble with a strong and easy sense of humor (demonstrate the ability to have and inspire “fun”) - Slow to Anger – Doesn’t get rattled by the small stuff
• The ability to relate well with students; parents and staff in an effective and easy manner
• Heart for student engagement and a passion for affecting student lives in a positive manner
• Strong personal work ethic – Willing to work/attend “off-hours” at community events
• Self-starter; able to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Excellent listener (considers compassion and empathy when making tough decisions, using wisdom)
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate and explain complex issues effectively to senior staff; faculty; board members; parents and students
• Solid presentation skills (written and oral)
• Experience with oversight of process/procedural development; improvement and internal operational controls and risk assessment
• Must be an independent (and deep) thinker with the ability to effectively prioritize and handle multiple tasks with competing constituencies
• High standards of personal and professional integrity (Values “Doing the Right Thing over All Things Right”)
• Be able to work alone, but also to be a ‘Team Player’ – “Hands On”
• Demonstrated and obvious love of people (students/parents/faculty and staff)
• Student Focused; Results Driven…Understands and embraces accountability
• Absence of an “entitlement attitude” – dedicated, committed and willing to “go the extra mile”.
• Will be a “good fit” with the Senior Leadership Team and the on-going Mission and Vision for the school.
• Sees this opportunity as a “Calling”, not a “Vocation”