Operations Manager

The Opportunity

In most schools, operations is invisible—until something breaks. The copier jams. The SIS crashes. The vendor doesn't show up. Then everyone notices.

At ARCHS, we see operations differently. The systems you build will determine whether teachers can focus on teaching. Whether families feel welcomed when they walk through the door. Whether the school can sustain its mission for decades.

We're looking for a founding Operations Manager who wants to build those systems from the ground up—not inherit someone else's workarounds and hope they hold.

ARCHS is Milwaukee's first Gold Standard project-based learning high school. Students will investigate authentic problems, create real products, and present to genuine audiences. That kind of learning requires operational infrastructure that actually works.

When a student needs to bike to Milwaukee Public Library for research, someone built the system that maintains those bikes. When a community partner visits for a panel, someone created the visitor protocols. When teachers check attendance, someone selected and configured the SIS. When the building is clean and welcoming, someone manages that relationship.

That someone could be you.

You’ll report to the Executive Director (in the planning year and year
1) and Principal (year 2 and beyond) and own everything that makes the school run operationally.

• Facilities — Manage the building, maintenance schedules, safety systems, and vendor relationships. Supervise the Facilities Keeper. Ensure the space supports project‑based learning.
• Technology — Select, implement, and manage technology infrastructure. Student information systems. Devices. Network. The tools teachers and students need.
• Procurement — Build vendor relationships, manage purchasing, track inventory. Get people what they need without wasting money.
• Finance support — Work with leadership on budget development and monitoring. Track expenditures. Maintain documentation for audits and reporting.
• Compliance — Ensure we meet charter authorization requirements, safety regulations, and reporting deadlines. Keep us in good standing.
• Events and community — Support Showcase Nights, family events, and community partnerships. Make sure the operational side of gatherings runs smoothly.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or related field
• 3+ years operations or administrative management experience
• Experience with budget management and financial tracking
• Strong technology proficiency
• Bilingual Spanish‑English proficiency

• School operations or educational administration experience
• Charter school or startup organization experience
• Experience with student information systems
• Connection to Milwaukee’s South Side community

• $75,000 annual salary
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) — employer contribution to your pension
• Comprehensive insurance — health (HDHP with HRA/HSA), dental, vision, life, disability
• Generous time off — vacation + sick leave + holidays

Startup operations is not for everyone. You'll be selecting the SIS while also troubleshooting the copier. Writing procurement policies while also running to pick up supplies. Building systems for the future while putting out today's fires.

But if you're the kind of person who sees a gap and fills it, who builds a system rather than complaining about its absence, who gets satisfaction from making things work—this is your chance. The operational foundation you build in year one will support ARCHS for decades.

ARCHS is committed to building a diverse team that reflects the community we serve. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who identify as Latino, bilingual, and/or from Milwaukee’s South Side. We are an equal opportunity employer.