Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Location
McLean, VA | United States
Job description
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a full time, 12-month position reporting directly to the CFO/Associate Head of School for Finance and Strategic Initiatives. The COO works closely with the Head of School, Associate Head of School, the Assistant Head of School for Academics, Director of Advancement, Division Heads, and other school leaders to fulfill the mission of the school.
Serving as an active and visible presence on campus, this role is responsible for providing tactical and strategic oversight, management, and planning of all aspects of the daily physical operation and maintenance of the school’s campus and programs, including buildings and grounds, transportation, bookstore, dining services, and campus safety and security. This position has supervisory responsibility over the Director of Facilities, the Director of Transportation, the Director of Safety and Security, and the Deputy COO.
Essential Functions:
- Ensure the smooth and successful daily running of the school’s campus and facilities operations.
- Oversee the resource allocation and operational planning – both in the short-term and long-term - related to the Buildings and Grounds, transportation, and security operations.
- Coordinate campus safety and risk management efforts, as well as crisis response and preparedness in partnership with the Director of Safety and Security.
- Supervise and mentor the Deputy COO, including their oversight of the School’s outsourced food service relationship and management of the bookstore.
- Serve in a leadership role on the Emergency Response Team including physical safety emergencies, weather emergencies, and health emergencies.
- Provide leadership to the Operations Cabinet in the coordination and guidance of campus operations and leadership development of operations team.
- Oversee the planning, contracting and administration of all major, capital projects for the School.
- Perform contract negotiations and management for all major service providers (i.e., food service, housekeeping, grounds services, etc.).
- Ensure compliance with all codes and regulations governing the use, construction, maintenance and improvement of site and facilities.
- Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Trustee’s Buildings and Grounds Committee. Serves on other Board and leadership committees, as requested.
- Manage risk at the school to ensure the safety of personnel and students in their use of the facilities and operation of the campus.
- Collaborate with Director of Human resources to ensure the accuracy and consistency of documents that directly relate to school operations (e.g. Employee Handbook).
- Collaborate with CFO and Head of School on annual budget for operations, facilities and transportation expenses, including managing the PPRRSM/capital budget.
- Represent the school at various regional, state, and national associations relative to the role of being the COO.
- Support the school and its leadership team.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the CFO/Associate Head of School and the Head of School.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree with demonstrated success in a senior level operations position with managerial responsibility
- Demonstrated leadership of a diverse operations team
- Experience with an educational institution or other non-profit organization a plus
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to establish trust
- Superb oral, writing, and public relations skills
- Ability to think ahead and plan over a one-to-five-year time span
- An ability to devise, prioritize, execute, and achieve results in a complex institutional environment with multiple demands on time and attention
- Consistently exercise discretion and good judgment, adhering to the highest level of professionalism
- A strong work ethic with a high level of integrity and ethical standards
- A commitment to treating all members of the community with respect and consideration, and an interest in working in a mission-driven educational environment
- Experience creating and overseeing departmental and project budgets
In striving to fulfill its mission, The Potomac School seeks many different voices, viewpoints, and backgrounds. We recognize that differences are a source of strength, and we know that everyone is enriched when each person's contributions and perspectives are valued.
About The Potomac School
The Potomac School is an independent K-12 day school located in McLean, Va. While we are a K-12 school, we are more accurately described as a K through lifetime experience. We nurture the development of our students as unique individuals and as contributing members of a vibrant learning community.
Our school comprises four distinct yet interconnected divisions, joined through a shared mission, integrated curriculum, and deeply rooted communal ties. We enjoy the beauty and natural resources of our 90-acre campus, our athletic fields, woods, streams, and ponds providing a rare and wonderful setting for each student's educational journey.
Mission: At The Potomac School, we believe that intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character are complementary, and equally essential, educational goals. With a firm commitment to our core values and a rigorous academic program, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.
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