Operations / Administration Operations Fellow
Job Description
Position
To make more elementary, middle, and high schools, we need future leaders to commit themselves to the most urgent and exciting work of our time. It takes individuals who can inspire students, who put excellence ahead of easy, and who project urgency about closing the achievement gap. It takes individuals who are fearless about making decisions and conducting difficult conversations and who can build a highly collaborative team and shape a vibrant culture. These individuals cultivate learning communities that are simultaneously academically rigorous and joyful. They know that their job is the most important one in the world. Self-reflective and humble, they are open to feedback and committed to continuously improving.
Uncommon Schools is offering a one-year fellowship to prepare to do one of three things:
- open a new Uncommon school;
- take over an existing Uncommon school; or
- join an existing K-8 school as an Academy Director of Operations.
The Fellowship provides a robust development process to prepare leaders to oversee the ongoing operations at a school in conjunction with the Principal and Uncommon Home Office. The Fellow (i.e., the eventual Operations Leader) will work very closely with Uncommon’s Director of Organizational Learning. The Operations Fellow is a full-time employee, hired, supported, and evaluated by the Network Chief Operating Officer. The Operations Fellow must have a B.A. and ideally has an M.P.P., M.B.A., or J.D.
Prepare for Success
The Fellowship year is based on a foundation of six core elements that are aligned to the competencies of Uncommon leaders. Each element is designed to build Fellows’ capacity towards becoming effective operational school leaders. These include the following:
- Evaluation and Feedback;
- Fellowship Deliverables and Immersion;
- Operations Leadership Meetings;
- Professional Development;
- School Startup Preparation;
- and School Visits.
Evaluation and Feedback
Throughout the fellowship year, Fellows will receive coaching and feedback from their Network Chief Operating Officers in addition to the school leaders they are working closely with during their fellowships. Each Fellow will have an Individual Development Plan that identifies the specific areas of development around which their fellowship will be customized.
Fellowship Deliverables and School Guidelines
Fellows will join the current Operations leaders for periodic meetings to share and tackle current Operational challenges across Uncommon schools and to build their support network of current leaders.
Professional Development
Starting in the summer, Fellows will engage in professional development focusing on three main domains: Cultural Leadership, Leadership and Management, and Operational Leadership. Each professional development session will be lead by our experienced group of Managing Directors, current leaders and a select group of external partners.
Leadership and Management
- Connecting with and Leading Teachers
- Difficult Conversations
- Managing Teams and Groups
- Personal Effectiveness
- Student Recruitment
- Teacher Recruitment
- Understanding Yourself As A Leader
Operational Leadership
- Data Analysis and Data-Driven Instruction
- Financial Management
- Organizational Systems
- Personnel & Certification
- School Transportation, Food Services, Health & Safety
- Systems Thinking and Operations
- Technology Management
