2026-27 Assistant Principal of Operations

About Breakthrough Public Schools

Breakthrough Public Schools is a high-performing charter network serving scholars across five campuses in Cleveland. We operate as a unified system grounded in a shared academic vision and the Arc of the Year - our framework for adult development and instructional excellence.

At Breakthrough, operational excellence is essential to academic excellence.

The Assistant Principal of Operations (APO) is a senior member of the School Leadership Team and is responsible for ensuring that all non-instructional systems and processes operate efficiently, compliantly, and in full alignment with the Breakthrough Unified School Model.

The APO enables instructional leaders to focus on teaching and coaching by eliminating operational barriers and ensuring a safe, organized, and joyful environment for students, families, and staff.

The APO reports directly to the Principal.

Scope of Work: Systems Leader & Owner of Operational Excellence

The Assistant Principal of Operations achieves results through strong systems, strong people management, and relentless attention to detail. The APO ensures:

• The school operates in a safe, compliant, and audit-ready manner.
• Operational systems support - not hinder - instructional excellence.
• Students and families experience a welcoming, organized, and professional environment.
• School-based compliance reporting and fiscal responsibilities are executed with precision.

The APO is:

• Owner of Operational Systems - accountable for the execution of all non-instructional functions, including attendance.
• Manager of Front Office & Operations Staff - setting expectations and ensuring high performance.
• Guardian of Compliance & Risk Mitigation - maintaining audit-ready systems.
• Strategic Partner to the Principal - enabling instructional focus.
• Collaborative School Leader - aligning operational priorities to academic and culture goals.

Core Responsibilities

1. Operational Systems & Compliance Execution

The APO owns and executes all non-instructional systems and processes in alignment with Breakthrough state and federal requirements. This includes oversight of:

• Facilities management and building safety.
• Emergency preparedness and drill compliance.
• Enrollment systems and student records.
• Attendance systems and reporting.
• Student health processes.
• Food service and transportation coordination.
• Purchasing and fiscal procedures.
• Visitor management.
• Technology systems.
• Compliance documentation and reporting.

The APO ensures the school is consistently audit-ready and that systems are proactive, not reactive. Operational breakdowns are addressed immediately and prevented through strong systems design.

2. Fiscal Stewardship & Resource Management

The APO supports the Principal in maintaining responsible fiscal management. This includes:

• Monitoring school budget execution.
• Ensuring purchasing aligns to budget and network guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate financial records.
• Leveraging resources efficiently to support school priorities.

Financial systems are managed with integrity, transparency, and precision.

3. Front Office & Operations Team Leadership

The APO serves as the direct manager and developer of the Front Office and operations team. As team leader, the APO:

• Develops high-performing operations staff.
• Sets clear expectations for customer service and professionalism.
• Conducts regular performance feedback and evaluation.
• Builds systems to ensure consistent follow-through.
• Addresses performance gaps directly and promptly.

The Front Office sets the tone for family experience. The APO ensures that experience reflects Breakthroughs standards of excellence and professionalism.

4. School Environment & Stakeholder Experience

The APO ensures the school environment is:

• Safe.
• Organized.
• Clean.
• Joyful.
• Professional.

In alignment with Breakthroughs Unified Model, the APO builds systems that create:

• Efficient arrival and dismissal.
• Clear visitor protocols.
• Positive family interactions.
• Strong communication systems.
• Inclusive and welcoming stakeholder experiences.

The APO coaches and redirects adults in the building to execute these systems in a high-quality, consistent manner.

Operational excellence contributes directly to student learning conditions.

5. Strategic Partnership & Leadership Team Collaboration

As a core member of the School Leadership Team, the APO collaborates closely with the Principal, Assistant Principals, and other leaders to ensure operational systems align with instructional and culture priorities. This includes:

• Aligning operational systems to academic calendars and assessment windows.
• Supporting schoolwide initiatives and events.
• Anticipating operational barriers that could impact instruction.
• Managing up to the Principal when operational decisions impact school priorities.

The APO ensures operational systems strengthen - not distract from - instructional focus.

6. Equity & Inclusive Leadership

The APO models professionalism, cultural competence, and an asset-based belief about families, scholars, and the community. This includes:

• Ensuring equitable access to school services and systems.
• Maintaining respectful, inclusive communication practices.
• Building trust with families and staff.

Equity is reflected in consistent, respectful service and access to safe, well-run systems.

7. Feedback Culture & Personal Growth

The APO is both a coach and a learner. They receive functional role support from Breakthroughs Schools Team. APOs receive frequent, real-time coaching from:

• The Principal.
• Managing Directors of Schools and/or Head of Schools.
• Strategic instructional partners.

They are expected to:

• Receive feedback non-defensively.
• Adjust systems and practice immediately.
• Continuously refine operational processes.
• Demonstrate growth as a leader and manager.

The APO models operational discipline and responsiveness.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Breakthrough Assistant Principal of Operations:

• Maintains audit-ready, compliant systems.
• Eliminates operational barriers for instructional staff.
• Leads a high-performing Front Office team.
• Ensures a safe and welcoming school environment.
• Manages budget and purchasing with integrity.
• Aligns operational systems to schoolwide priorities.
• Receives and applies feedback to strengthen execution.

Skills & Qualifications

• 4 years of experience in operations administration or school-based office leadership.
• 2 years of experience managing and developing adults.
• Ability to give direct, actionable feedback.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and systems-thinking skills.
• Knowledge of compliance and reporting systems preferred.
• Experience managing budgets or fiscal processes preferred.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-accountability environments.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Associates degree required; Bachelors degree preferred.

Why Breakthrough

At Breakthrough Public Schools, leadership is not a title - it is a mindset. We believe transformative schools are built by leaders who embody a clear set of mindsets that shape every decision, every interaction, and every outcome.

Our Assistant Principals of Operations lead with the following mindsets:

• We Do Our Job.
• We take full ownership of results.
• We do not blame circumstances, systems, or people - we improve them.
• We ensure the work gets done at a high level because students are counting on us.
• We Hold High Expectations.
• We believe all students can achieve at the highest levels.
• We define excellence clearly and refuse to lower the bar.
• We intervene quickly when performance slips - in ourselves and in others.
• We Communicate Openly and Honestly.
• We give direct, actionable feedback.
• We say what needs to be said in service of growth.
• We seek clarity and alignment rather than comfort.
• We Remain Committed.
• We persist through challenge.
• We understand that consistency - not intensity - drives transformation.
• We Center Joy.
• We believe rigor and joy coexist.
• We create environments where adults and students feel purpose, belonging, and pride.
• We celebrate growth and progress along the way.

Breakthrough operates as a unified system across five campuses, grounded in a shared school model and a clear Arc of the Year for adult and instructional excellence.

We are seeking Assistant Principals of Operations who are relentless about outcomes, courageous in coaching adults, and unwavering in their commitment to students.

If you are energized by building strong teams, setting a clear bar, and driving meaningful academic growth for children - you will find your work here matters deeply.

ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY MAKES A FALSE STATEMENT IS GUILTY OF FALISIFCATION UNDER SECTION 2921.13 OF THE REVISED CODE WHICH IS A MISDEMEANOR OF THE FIRST DEGREEDISCLAIMER

The information outlined in this job description indicates the general nature and type of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, or competencies required of employees within this classification.

Benefits

Compensation packages are competitive and commensurate with experience. Breakthrough Schools offer a comprehensive benefit package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision life and disability coverage.
• Employees also participate in the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) or the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS).

Breakthrough Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.