Director of School Operations; Potential

Who We Are

New School San Francisco is a public school currently serving over 400 TK through 8th grade students from all corners of the city and from all backgrounds. We believe in a “hands on minds on” approach to learning that harnesses each student’s curiosity and encourages learners to construct their own meaning and knowledge through inquiry-based learning. We practice equity in all that we do – ensuring every child is able to access and receive an individualized education that builds off their unique strengths, skills, and passions.

Social justice is also a through line in all we do; we help learners develop an understanding of how to make our community better. Taken all together, this approach fosters a deep love of learning in students and prepares them with the problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

We are committed to breaking down systematic structures which contribute to deep inequities in education. Our goal is to prioritize the success and wellbeing of our Black and brown students, English Language Learners (ELLs), and students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) by dismantling white supremacy. We continuously question our culture, climate, and curriculum to ensure all members of our community are committed to being racially literate and ultimately anti‑racist change makers.

We value hard work, and we also value self care. The two are not mutually exclusive.

The DoSO plays a key role in advancing this mission, ensuring that operational systems, staff, and programs are aligned with New School San Francisco’s Pro‑Black, anti‑racist vision, and that all school operations reflect the school’s commitment to equity, justice, and excellence.

The Director of School Operations (DoSO) is a strategic and execution-focused leader required to be on‑site daily and punctual to ensure that all school operations run smoothly, efficiently, and in full alignment with the school’s mission and standards. The DoSO owns the systems, people, and processes that ensure a safe, compliant, and high‑functioning school environment where students can learn and staff can excel.

This role requires a leader who can think beyond day‑to‑day operations to anticipate needs, solve problems proactively, and make decisions that consider the full impact across the school community. The DoSO sets a high bar for operational excellence, professionalism, and accountability, and serves as a key member of the School Leadership Team. This role reports directly to the COO.

We recognize that candidates from historically underrepresented groups do not always apply for leadership positions. We strongly encourage all such candidates to apply, and we are committed to reviewing all perspectives and experiences as part of an inclusive and equitable hiring process.

• Bachelor’s degree required;
  Master’s degree in business, education, public administration, or a related field strongly preferred
• Deep belief in the mission, vision, and values of the organization, including a demonstrated commitment to building and sustaining a Pro-Black, anti-racist organizational culture
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across lines of difference, including race, culture, language, and identity, and to build strong, trust-based relationships with diverse staff, students, and families
• 5–7+ years of relevant experience; 3+ years in a leadership role overseeing operations, systems, or teams
• Prior experience serving on a leadership team and partnering cross-functionally across departments
• Demonstrated ability to operate at both a strategic and executional level
• Proven ability to lead teams to strong, measurable outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage systems that drive efficiency, accountability, and consistency
• Strong decision‑making skills with the ability to assess risk, ensure compliance, and consider cross‑functional impact
• Demonstrated experience ensuring organizational compliance and maintaining accurate, audit‑ready systems and records
• High level of professionalism, reliability, and personal accountability, including strong time management,…