Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 21,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

At Uncommon Schools, we know running exceptional schools takes more than great instruction—it also takes exemplary operations! Uncommon Schools' operations leaders work passionately to ensure that our faculty maximizes time and energy on student achievement. We design, implement, and refine systems that anticipate the needs of our school community. As service-oriented leaders, we tackle problems, share standard methodologies across campuses, and respond to urgent needs. We partner to build an academic and cultural environment which supports our ultimate goal: ensuring that every student will earn a college degree.

The Director of Operations Fellowship is a year-long, full-time program that prepares you to become a Director of Operations (DOO) of an Uncommon school. As DOO, you co-lead alongside a Principal, partnering to ensure your students receive an exemplary education.

The Fellowship is based on a foundation of four core elements that are aligned to the competencies of Uncommon leaders. Each element is designed to build Fellows’ capacity towards becoming effective Directors of Operations. These include Fellowship Deliverables and School Immersion; Evaluation and Feedback; Operations Leadership Meetings, and Professional Development.

Fellowship Deliverables and School Immersion

Fellows are placed at an existing Uncommon school and serve as full-time members of the school's operations team. They engage in operations work at their host school, tackle Uncommon-wide operations projects, and conduct observations and analysis of operational systems. Fellows are responsible for completing a variety of pre-determined deliverables designed to provide active learning that supports the development of their leadership. 

Evaluation and Feedback

Fellows receive coaching and feedback from their Associate Chief Operating Officer and host DOO. This support is rooted in their Individualized Development Plans, which are customized around their strengths and areas of growth.

Operations Leadership Meetings

Fellows meet periodically with current DOOs, other Fellows in their region, and Fellows across all of Uncommon to share and problem solve around current cross-organization operational challenges and to build their network of current leaders. 

Professional Development

Starting in the summer, Fellows engage in professional development focusing on Cultural Leadership, Management, and Operational Leadership. Each session will be led by our experienced group of Associate Chief Operating Officers, current leaders, Home Office teams, and a select group of external partners. Some examples of professional development sessions provided to our Fellows are Connecting with and Leading Teachers; Difficult Conversations; Managing Teams and Groups; Financial Management, and School Transportation, Food Services, Health & Safety.

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization;
• Passionate commitment to improve the minds, characters, and lives of students both in and out of school;
• Strong critical thinking skills;
• Demonstrated grit and personal responsibility;
• Ability to think strategically and innovatively, in order to continuously improve school operations;
• High quality written and verbal communications skills with multiple partners including teachers, students, families, vendors, and colleagues;
• Ability to have difficult conversations in a respectful manner;
• Dedication to continual professional growth;
• Strong organizational skills; careful attention to detail and follow-through;
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed;
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and Access;
• Strong time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional attitude in the face of challenging demands and external pressures;
• School-based or other educational experience preferred;
• Experience managing others preferred;
• Required experience:
  • 4 or more years of work experience;
  • Project planning experience, with proven ability to see large projects through to completion;
  • A Bachelor’s degree.

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.