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Director of School Operations

National Association of Independent Schools, New York, NY, United States


About the Academy of St. Joseph Founded in 2007 and located in New York City's West Village, the Academy of St. Joseph (AoSJ) is a small, independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. Guided by the values of Character, Competence, and Compassion, AoSJ prepares students to thrive intellectually, spiritually, and personally. The school is entering a new chapter of leadership and growth — and is building an administrative team to match the ambition of that moment.

Who We're Looking For The right person for this role is someone who finds genuine satisfaction in making a complex organization run well — who sees a compliance deadline met, a vendor relationship managed, and a smooth onboarding process as meaningful contributions to a school's mission, not just administrative tasks. They are calm under pressure, exacting without being rigid, and comfortable holding a wide portfolio without losing sight of the details that matter.

This is not a “behind-the-scenes “role. At a school of AoSJ's size, the Director of School Operations is a visible presence — known to families, trusted by faculty, and relied upon by the Head of School. The right candidate brings both operational rigor and genuine warmth, and understands that a well‑run school is inseparable from a welcoming one. AoSJ is a small school with an outsized sense of purpose. The next Director of School Operations will help build the institutional infrastructure that allows that purpose to flourish.

Position Summary The Director of School Operations (DSO) is a full‑time, senior administrative role reporting directly to the Head of School. The DSO serves as AoSJ's operational backbone — owning the full spectrum of non‑academic school functions, including finance, human resources, facilities, legal compliance, technology systems, and enrollment operations. This role is designed to free the Head of School to focus on academic leadership, community‑building, and external relations. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and comfortable navigating the regulatory and administrative complexity of a New York City independent school.

Key Responsibilities Finance & Business Management

Serve as primary liaison to the school's outside bookkeeper and Board Finance Committee

Oversee accounts payable and receivable, bill payment, and vendor invoicing

Manage banking relationships, dual‑authorization check signing protocols, and cash handling procedures

Administer FACTS tuition platform; manage tuition collection, delinquency follow‑up, and family payment plans

Oversee financial aid and scholarship administration in coordination with the Head of School

Support annual budget development and track monthly budget‑to‑actuals

Manage independent contractor agreements, W‑9 collection, and 1099 filing

Oversee school insurance policies (liability, property, workers' compensation)

Coordinate the annual audit process

Human Resources & Payroll

Administer payroll in coordination with the school's payroll provider

Manage all employee onboarding documentation, including I‑9/immigration compliance, background checks, and personnel file maintenance

Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement, and leave policies

Issue and track employee and contractor contracts; maintain HR records in compliance with New York State labor law

Serve as the school's HR point‑of‑contact for personnel questions, benefits open enrollment, and leave administration

Maintain employee timesheets and absence records

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure timely submission of all state and city‑mandated reports, including BEDS, NPSIS, Census, and immunization surveys

Administer state grant programs (NPSE, MST, NYSTL/NYSSL/NYSCH) and manage FAMIS portal purchasing

Maintain compliance with NYC Department of Health Article 43 requirements for early childhood programs

Manage FDNY Fire Drill Coordinator permit and ensure all required fire, lockdown, and evacuation drills are conducted and logged

Maintain all required permits and certificates of inspection: elevator, fire panel, sprinkler system, standpipe, waste management, Place of Assembly, boiler, and fire alarm

Ensure FERPA compliance, including annual parent notification of student privacy rights

Oversee student immunization records and annual DOH immunization survey submission

Maintain school document retention policy in accordance with nonprofit and regulatory requirements

Facilities & Building Operations

Oversee cleaning staff and manage the relationship with cleaning service contractors.

Coordinate all building maintenance, repairs, and vendor relationships; obtain Certificates of Insurance from all vendors

Plan and manage maintenance and capital improvement projects, in partnership with the Head of School

Conduct or coordinate annual facilities audits and develop a proactive preventive maintenance calendar

Oversee emergency preparedness infrastructure, including emergency binders, evacuation procedures, and staff training

Technology & Systems

Oversee Google Workspace (GSuite) administration, student accounts, and web domain(s)

Administer the Student Information System (SIS/FACTS) for faculty and community use

Manage key school portals, including Ravenna, NYC DOE high school applications, Metrocards, and attendance systems

Oversee school website, DNS filter, copier, student devices, and software license renewals

Maintain all subscriptions and technology licenses schoolwide

Enrollment Operations

Support enrollment management systems, new family onboarding, and database maintenance

Issue enrollment contracts to new and returning families; manage re‑registration processes

Maintain accurate enrollment data in the SIS; track inquiries, applications, acceptances, and withdrawals

Manage the DOE My Schools application portal and support high school outplacement record coordination

Oversee collection of all required new student documentation

Communications & School Calendar

Coordinate school opening/closing communications year‑round

Partner with the administrative team on the school calendar and major school events

Manage parent‑facing communication systems and ensure contact information is current

Order and manage supplies for faculty and facilities throughout the year

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or professional certification in school administration, business, or a related field preferred

Minimum 3‑5 years of experience in school operations, nonprofit administration, or a comparable role

Demonstrated knowledge of New York City and New York State regulatory requirements for independent or nonpublic schools strongly preferred

Experience with FACTS, Google Workspace, and student information systems preferred

Strong financial literacy; comfort with budget management, accounts payable, and payroll administration

Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple compliance deadlines simultaneously

Commitment to the mission of Catholic independent school education

Warm, professional presence; ability to communicate with families, faculty, vendors, and board members

Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $115,000–$135,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plan, and professional development support. This is a full‑time, 12‑month position based on‑site at AoSJ's campus in New York City.

How to Apply Interested candidates should

submit a resume and cover letter to Dan Faas, Head of School, at dfaas@aosj.us.

The Academy of Saint Joseph is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Anticipated start date is July 15, 2026.

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