Operations Director

Are you ready to help build the next chapter of educational excellence?

At Zeta, we pursue an unprecedented combination of high academic achievement and social-emotional development for our students. We insist that every student receives a world-class education while fostering a love for learning. We are passionate about changing the landscape of public education in New York City and beyond, and we are uncompromising in our mission.

Zeta serves students across the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Queens and continues to grow our Pre-K through 12th grade network at an ambitious pace. This year alone, we opened our first high school, added another elementary school in Queens, and launched two additional middle schools in the Bronx. And we are not slowing down. We have big plans to continue growing each year so that more children have access to an excellent education.

Joining Zeta means joining a team that is actively building the next generation of our school network and serving as a change agent for children.

Role: Operations Director
Start date: Spring/early Summer 2027 or sooner
Location: Bronx, Upper Manhattan, or Queens
Work model: Fully on-site in New York City
Salary range: $105,000 - $150,000
Reports to: Principal and Network Operational Excellence Leader

We hire for this role at different points throughout the year as positions become available, and onboard on a rolling basis. If your experience aligns with what we are looking for, our team may reach out to explore a current or upcoming opportunity and whether the timing is right for both you and Zeta.

Compensation is determined according to Zeta’s applicable salary scale, which factors in relevant experience and internal equity. New hires can expect to be brought into the organization at or near the start of the above range. This position is eligible to receive an annual discretionary, merit-based performance bonus.

We are searching for an Operations Director who is excited to lead operational excellence across a Zeta school and build a high-performing team and systems that deliver exceptional safety, facilities, and day-to-day execution so students and educators can thrive.

You bring:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience leading high-performing operations teams, with a proven track record of developing talent, establishing and executing an ambitious vision for excellence, and driving exceptional results.
• Strong operational judgment and execution, with experience overseeing complex, high-pressure day-to-day operations and facilities management
• Proven ability in balancing competing priorities, and responding to challenges with urgency, ownership, and solutions-oriented follow-through.
• A deep commitment to safety, with experience developing and implementing safety protocols, managing risk, and creating environments where students and staff feel secure and supported.
• A relentless bar for excellence, with the ability to identify gaps, anticipate needs, solve root causes, and build simple, effective systems that improve operational performance.
• Experience leading K–12 school operations is strongly preferred, along with deep connection to Zeta’s mission and a student-centered approach.

In the Operations Director role, you will:

• Be the safety leader of your school
  , including developing and maintaining safety systems, safety training and culture, emergency response plans, and crisis management.
• Own the full operational vision and execution for the school
  , leading a 2–6 person operations team to deliver exceptional, reliable, and scalable systems through a culture of high expectations, clear accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Design, implement, and refine school wide operational systems - including…