Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Colorado Academy ("CA") seeks an experienced Director of Operations to join CA's Leadership Team and to ensure a safe, efficient, and future-ready campus that directly supports educational excellence. This is full-time, exempt, 12-month position reports directly tothe Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) and is responsible for overseeing all campus operations across 22 buildings (approx. 300,000 sqft) on a 95-acre campus. Key departments/areas of responsibility include facilities/maintenance, grounds, safety/security, transportation, custodial services, and capital projects.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in facilities, operations, or campus management
• Demonstrated experience managing large teams and complex operations
• Strong knowledge of building systems, maintenance, and regulatory compliance
• Motor vehicle record must meet standards
• Strong operational systems fluency (e.g. spreadsheets, CMMS, building automation systems, budgeting tools, etc.)

Preferred

• Prior experience in an independent school, higher education, or multi-building campus environment preferred
• Experience with facility planning, design, and major construction projects

Leadership Competencies

• Proven budget management and project execution experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and high emotional intelligence
• Calm, decisive leadership under pressure

Key Responsibilities:

Facilities & Campus Operations

• Oversees maintenance, repair, and operation of all campus buildings, grounds, and infrastructure
• Develops policies and procedures for facility management, maintenance, and operation
• Manages the work order system so that all requests are addressed and completed in a timely fashion
• Develops and implements preventive maintenance and lifecycle replacement programs
• Coordinates regular plant maintenance and repair activities including interior housekeeping activities and grounds maintenance activities
• Ensures compliance with code compliance programs, including but not limited to, asbestos management, lead in water, radon, underground gasoline storage tanks, hazardous material storage, and hazardous waste reduction, management, and disposal
• Responsible for fire safety procedures including the coordination of fire alarms and equipment.
• Ensures campus appearance, functionality, and safety meet high standards
• Manages utilities (electricity, natural gas, water, waste removal, etc.) and infrastructure planning
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., OSHA, environmental, DOT, fire safety, etc.)
• Negotiates, selects, and manages third-party vendors and service providers in compliance with Board procurement policies
• Monitors the performance, cost, and service quality of third-party vendor

Leadership & Team Management

• Leads, supervises, and develops the operations teams and their supervisors, including the following direct reports: Maintenance Supervisor, Grounds Supervisor, Transportation Supervisor, Custodial Supervisor, Director of Risk Management, and the Operations Administrative Assistant
• Coordinates operational support for school events, including set up, logistics, and teardown, partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure seamless execution
• Schedules, supervises, and works with outside s and monitor their performance
• Conducts safety meetings for all staff members of operations department
• Establishes clear performance expectations, training programs, and accountability systems
• Builds a culture of responsiveness, professionalism, customer service, and continuous improvement
• Serves as support staff for the Building & Grounds Committee of the Board of Trustees

Financial & Strategic Planning

• Develops and manages the annual operating budget for facilities and operations
• Develops and manages the annual plant projects capital budget
• Assists the CFOO with capital planning, including major maintenance and capital replacement forecasting as well as campus improvements
• Identifies cost efficiencies, sustainability initiatives, and long-term savings opportunities

Capital Projects & Construction

• Plays a key role in the planning, design, development, and execution of new construction and renovations projects
• Monitors contractors and construction work to assure that projects are constructed in accordance with specifications, timelines, budgets, and quality control
• Ensures projects align with institutional priorities and regulatory requirements

Serves as on-call leader for critical campus operations and emergency response

Performs other duties as required.

All employees at CA are expected to carry out the CA Mission, "Creating Curious, Kind, Courageous, and Adventurous Learners and Leaders," to support the vision of CA, and to contribute to the life of the school outside of the classroom.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required for the position. Colorado Academy reserves the right to modify or revise this job description at any time.

The pay for this position is $140,000-$160,000. Although this is a good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, Colorado Academy reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. Any wage differential that may exist for the position does not relate to sex, gender, or gender identity, but relates solely to a seniority system, a merit system, or relevant education, training and/or experience. Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance benefit programs are available, as is a 403(b) retirement plan. Eligibility for all benefit programs is defined by the applicable plan document.

Colorado Academy prohibits discrimination and unlawful harassment in any of its programs, procedures, or practices on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, ancestry, race, religion or creed, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, marital status, genetic information, or other protected classifications defined by federal or Colorado laws. The policy applies in all aspects of employment with CA.

Colorado Academy is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace. Employees are expected to engage in professional conduct that reflects cultural awareness, respect for differing identities, and openness to diverse perspectives. Employment decisions including hiring, evaluation, promotion, and compensation are based on qualifications, performance, and institutional needs.