Director of Vendor Services 26-27 SY

Étoile Academy Charter School, an independent K-8th-grade charter school in Houston, is seeking an ambitious, smart, and high-capacity individual to join our team. Étoile Academy is founded on the belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels when held to the highest expectations— regardless of their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, zip code, or home language. We will ensure that every student in grades K through 8 has the academic and character foundation necessary to succeed in high school, graduate from college, and pursue ambitious life goals. 

Manager of Vendor Services and Special Projects 

The Manager of Vendor Services and Special Projects plays a critical role in supporting the operational effectiveness of Étoile Academy Charter Schools by managing vendor relationships across multiple service areas and leading special projects that enhance school facilities and learning environments. This role partners closely with the Director of Operations and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to support vendor procurement, RFP processes, contract management, and compliance, and to coordinate vendor-supported projects, donations, and facility improvements across campuses.

Responsibilities

Vendor Services & Operational Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned vendors across operational categories, including, but not limited to, IT, Child Nutrition, Facilities, Transportation, Security, and other vendor services as needed. 
• Coordinate vendor onboarding, compliance documentation, and service schedules.
• Monitor vendor performance to ensure services meet contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and Étoile Academy standards.
• Support campuses and the district team in addressing vendor-related issues, service gaps, and escalations.
• Collaborate with finance and operations teams to support invoice tracking, service verification, and vendor-related documentation.
• Maintain organized records of vendor contacts, contracts, scopes of work, and renewal timelines.
• Support comparative analysis of vendor proposals, including pricing, service scope, compliance requirements, and performance expectations.
• Assist with contract development, execution, renewals, and amendments in collaboration with the COO, finance, and legal partners as applicable.
• Monitor ongoing contract compliance, including service-level agreements (SLAs), deliverables, and vendor performance metrics.

Special Projects & Vendor Partnerships

• Support special projects involving vendor donations, in-kind contributions, and community or corporate partnerships where it involves facilities.
• Manages execution of campus beautification initiatives, including volunteer workdays, painting projects, landscaping efforts, and facility enhancements.
• Support grants and funded projects involving physical modifications to facilities, including playground installations, outdoor learning spaces, and capital improvements.
• Serve as a liaison between vendors, campus leadership, and central office teams to ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and in compliance with requirements.
• Track project timelines, deliverables, and outcomes for reporting and accountability purposes.

Facilities Coordination & Oversight

• Support the oversight of campus facility needs by coordinating vendor-supported repairs, preventative maintenance, and campus walkthroughs to ensure safe, well-maintained learning environments.
• Conduct periodic campus walkthroughs to identify maintenance needs, safety concerns, and facility improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate with custodial and repair vendors to schedule and track maintenance requests, work orders, and facility service delivery.
• Assist the Director of Operations and COO in strengthening systems and processes that support the school's facility program.
• Support the development of an internal facilities management structure, should custodial services or maintenance operations transition from vendor-supported services to in-house management in the future.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with campus leaders, operations staff, finance, and the COO to ensure alignment across vendor services and operational initiatives.
• Support compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to facilities, safety, and vendor-provided services.
• Assist with system-wide operational initiatives and continuous improvement efforts as assigned.

We look for team members who embody our REACH values. This includes the characteristics below. 

• Open to sharing and implementing feedback with reverence and professionalism for the work (Respect).
• Authentic care for student results and effective teaching (Excellence). 
• Setting a higher bar for yourself and others each day (Ambition).
• Honest contribution and collaboration to the community (Community).
• Do what is needed to achieve results (Hard Work).
• Believes in education as a profession and holds oneself to a high level of conduct and professionalism

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with a diverse staff
• Alignment with the school's mission to ensure that every student in grades K through 8 has the academic and character foundation necessary to succeed in high school, graduate from college, and pursue ambitious life goals.
• Demonstrated application of Étoile Academy's core values: Respect, Excellence, Ambition, Community, and Hard work. 
• Bachelors Degree required

Étoile Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organization's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact HR at 713.265.8657.