Manager, Strategy and Operations

  • Full-time
  • Hiring Start Time: Immediate Start (Home Office)
  • HO Team: Special Projects

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of public schools that are growing the academic achievement of historically under-resourced communities and preparing students for success in college and beyond. We currently lead 54 schools serving more than 20,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester, and Troy. We have achieved outstanding academic results based on internal assessments, statewide exams, and graduation achievements!

Job Description

Position Overview

Uncommon’s Manager, Strategy and Operations leads and supports critical strategic, operational, and cultural work across Uncommon and particularly within the central office. In this role you will lead daily operations and facilities management for Uncommon’s central office, ensuring operational excellence and the support of central office staff. As a project manager and member of the Special Projects Team, you will work with leaders from across the organization to further Uncommon’s mission and our vision for the central office with a focus on strengthening the quality and efficiency of central teams’ delivery of excellent services to schools. This position reports to the Senior Director of Special Projects and offers the exciting opportunity to develop professionally within a dynamic and growing organization.

Primary Responsibilities

This full-time role requires on-site work at Uncommon’s office in downtown Manhattan.

Operations Leadership

  • Manage an Office Manager and Receptionist to:

    • Manage daily operations and facilities management of Uncommon’s 24,000 sq ft central office

    • Ensure all front desk inquiries are addressed in line with Uncommon’s high expectations around employee support

    • Develop professionally through mentoring and feedback

  • Partner with Senior Director of Special Projects and COO on strategic and annual planning for central office operations

  • Improve efficiency and impact through management of relationships with IT, vendor services, and building management

  • Develop and handle $.5MM budget in accordance with organizational and team priorities

  • Represent central office on cross-functional teams - e.g. related to health and safety, communications, etc.

Strategic Planning & Project Management

  • Manage logistics for and support strategic and annual planning for 20 central office teams

  • Develop frameworks and strategic approaches to challenges

  • Develop and manage tools to support project roll-out, execution, and monitoring (e.g., project plans, dashboards, key performance indicators, templates, etc.)

  • Manage partners on projects, ensuring timely communication and facilitating meetings as needed

  • Support R&D and innovation projects and processes

Qualifications

  • Eagerness to roll up your sleeves and contribute to Uncommon’s mission and vision for the central office through tasks big and small

  • Ability to build relationships and work effectively across teams and with diverse partners

  • Highly organized with strong attention to detail

  • Excellent and innovative problem-solving and critical thinking skills

  • Strong project management as well as time and task management skills, enabling multiple projects to be completed on time

  • Ability to learn quickly, to shift when needed, and to be effective in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment

  • Ability to structure complicated information to facilitate effective decision-making and process improvement

  • Excellent interpersonal skills

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite

    Experience
  • Minimum of 5 years experience

  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree, certification, or equivalent experience (e.g. MBA, MPA, PMP) preferred

Additional Information

Uncommon Schools offers salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. All staff members receive extensive professional development, and are equipped with a laptop computer and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions.