About Us:
Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools (www.freedomprep.org) is a network of PreK-12 free public charter schools serving students in Memphis, TN, and Birmingham, AL. Our mission is to prepare all students in grades PreK-12 to excel in college and in life. Since our founding in 2009, we have grown from a class of 96 sixth grade students to now serving over 1950 students across multiple campuses. In 2024, we expanded into Birmingham, AL, starting with grades K-1, with plans to grow to a K-5 campus.
At Freedom Prep, we are committed to transforming education for students across the South, ensuring they have access to high-quality educational opportunities that empower them to thrive. Over the past 15 years, our students have consistently exceeded both local and state averages in math and have surpassed local benchmarks in English Language Arts on state assessments. Our mission is guided by three core beliefs: every child deserves the right to a high-quality public education, character development is essential to student success, and exposure to diverse opportunities builds the confidence and skills needed to excel in college and in life.
At Freedom Prep, we cultivate a structured, academically rigorous environment that fosters excellence in core subjects, promotes advanced academic skills, and encourages students to embody the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Dean of Operations is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the day-to-day business operations of a school office, and serves as administrative aide DOO is to support the Academy’s internal and external operations through the creation and implementation of strong, efficient systems and structures. The DOO will be housed at a school site and will be expected to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of school and leave no earlier than 30 minutes after dismissal is complete. This position reports to the Head of Schools, with significant support and training from the central operations team.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Dean of Operations is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the day-to-day logistical operations of the school.Below are some of the characteristics the Dean of Operations will be expected to exhibit:
• Embody the characteristics that the school values, especially perseverance, social responsibility, an “all hands on deck” mentality and professionalism
• Embody and advocate the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the Academy
• Assist in the development/implementation of structures and systems to assist in building consistency within the school and throughout the network
• Promotes and maintains a positive and effective school climate by ensuring that all interactions with staff, students, parents, and the public at large are prompt, efficient, helpful, and friendly
• Recognizes problems and impediments and reports them promptly with options for solutions to the site Head of School and Director of Network Operations; promote and assists with constructive resolutions
• Attend and support school functionsSeek out and participate in educational and professional development and motivates and encourages such developments for school-classified employees
• Must be comfortable with ambiguity
In addition to the expectations, the Dean of Operations will also be expected to carry some specific administrative duties.
Finance and Procurement
• Manage all school-level vendor relationships including, but not limited to, supplies, facilities, food services, transportation, etc.
• Coordinate with the central finance and accounting staff on the purchase order/requisition process and timely payments of vendors
• Ensure adherence to all fiscal policies
Facilities
• Manage school-site facility maintenance and custodial needs
• Scrutinize facility wear and tear and makes recommendations as to facility improvement (i.e., carpet replacement, exterior and interior paint, turf)
• Track and conduct regular inventory of all school assets and property
Student Information Systems and Reporting
• Ensure accuracy of Student Information Systems (SIS) and supervise the timely, accurate, and consistent maintenance of student dataWork with school personnel to maintain integrity and accuracy of student records, including maintenance and tracking of attendance, grades, enrollment, and retention
• Conduct regular student file audit to ensure accuracy and compliance with state standards
• Coordinate required data for state, federal, and grant program compliance reporting with central office staff
Human Resources
On-boards new staff on School policies and regulations as they apply to school site operations; standards school site rules and procedures; computer operation and software programs used at the school site; proper use of office equipment; emergency procedures, etc.
School Logistics
• Lead a high quality, responsive front office team
• Manage all aspects of free and reduced lunch program/process, including managing the entire application process
• Manage all aspects/records of emergency planning
• Coordinate IT services with central office team
• Coordinate logistics for all field lessons
• Sustain and monitor a safe, orderly, disciplined culture of high behavioral standards during arrival, dismissal, and after school activities
• Perform other duties as assigned by Head of Schools or Supervisor
REQUIREMENTS:
Education:B.A. or B.S. degree required with coursework in Business Administration, Organizational Management, or related discipline desired.
Experience:
Three years broad, varied and increasingly responsible experience with budgeting, computer information systems, and organizational procedures.
Charter school experience is desirable.
Knowledge and Abilities:
• Knowledge of principles, methods and procedures, related to purchasing, operation, safety, computer networking programs, food service, budgeting and accounting, electronic data processing techniques and methods, purchasing and inventory control systems
• Knowledge of principles, methods, techniques and strategies of organization, management and supervision
• Knowledge of law, policies and regulations pertaining to youth and employee records;
• Ability to apply empirical principles and procedures in work performed; preparation of financial and statistical documents and reports
• Analyze student achievement data, draw logical conclusions and prepares comprehensive reports
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with all partners
• Deal effectively and graciously with situations requiring tact and judgment
• Exercise patience, common sense, and good humor to thrive within the pressures, competing priorities and demands of a school office environment
Additional Qualifications:
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of Freedom Prep Academy
• Results-oriented individual - a flexible thinker willing to do “whatever it wakes”
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook
• Experience in Operations at a non-profit organization or public, private, or charter school
• Experience with youth programs, successfully working with urban youth
• Motivational and energetic leader who is committed to excellence
• Unwavering in pursuit of excellence even in the face of difficult opposition and challenge
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of people
• Analytical problem-solver and solutions-oriented strategic thinker who has overcome difficult organizational challenges
• Professional demeanor, strong work ethic, detail-driven work style with excellent organizational skillsAbility to prioritize, multi-task, delegate, and lead by example