Senior Director of Operations

Ascend is Brooklyn’s premier K–12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures
—not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives
.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students’ brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long‑term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture‑building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Operations, the Senior Director of Operations (SDO) co‑manages the Assistant Principals of Operations (APOs) alongside the Principals of Ascend schools in pursuit of operational excellence. The SDO supports, coaches, and develops the APOs, identifying and problem‑solving network‑wide challenges on behalf of schools. The SDO ensures that schools capture and utilize operational data, meeting both internal and external goals.

They play a key role in recognizing areas where operations could be more effective, compliant, and scalable, and design and execute initiatives to address these needs.

In partnership with other members of the network team, they work to codify operational practices at the schools and support the development and enhancement of data, procurement, and other operational systems. They develop and deliver professional development programs for APOs and plan the annual summer institute for all school operational staff.

• Has a dotted‑line managerial relationship with the schools’ assistant principals of operations (APOs) and serves as the primary coach to the school APOs. He or she is the primary resource to solve problems and identify resources to problems that the APO encounters
• Assists the school principals in writing APO performance evaluations by gathering input from other stakeholders and including their assessment

• Works closely with and supports each school’s APO as their new school opens or new school year approaches to ensure that every dimension of school operations is in place for launch, including full student enrollment, transportation, the facility, student and adult furniture, supplies, and food service
• Provides on‑site school support when necessary

• Serves as an on‑call resource to the APOs in all functional areas, providing direct support and when appropriate, referring them to a member of the network team or other operations staff member at Ascend
• Leads, executes, and supports key projects and initiatives across all operational areas
• Works closely with the APO and the Managing Director of Technology and the technology team to ensure that all schools have strong technology systems and appropriate support in this area
• Works closely with the APO and the Director of Finance, and the finance team to ensure that the school’s finance function works smoothly
• Work closely with the Director of Human Resources to ensure that the school’s APOs have the necessary resources to effectively serve as the primary point of contact for all school‑level staff on HR matters
• Works closely with the APO and the Director of Facilities and the…