Operations Manager
The Organization
In Fall 2022, Thrive with Autism opened its first groundbreaking public school with the goal of dramatically improving education for children on the autism spectrum. Thrive Center for Success is the first charter school in the state of Texas dedicated to serving a special-needs population. Founded in 2019, Thrive with Autism’s mission and vision have brought hope to families who desperately want better educational options for their children on the autism spectrum. This fall Thrive will serve 132 students Kindergarten through 6th grade, adding a grade level each year to eventually serve up to 12th grade. Thrive plans to open a second campus in central Houston soon.
The Role
Thrive Center for Success seeks skilled operational leader to use their talents in order to improve the instructional quality of our school, to create a welcoming environment for families, students and staff, and to help our team serve students with autism and other developmental disabilities in an innovative and transformative way. The Operations Manager (OM) will be responsible for many of the matters of campus and district operations that do not directly relate to instruction or student behavior. The OM will specifically provide support services to Thrive Center For Success to ensure quality control, excellent customer service, and continued support for the strategic development of the school. As an operations leader within the Thrive Center For Success, he/she will play an active role in designing and executing centrally led initiatives to further implement systems and efficient practices that enhance the entire organization’s campus model in scalability. Reporting to the Superintendent, the Operations Manager will work closely with Thrive Center For Success’ Principal, Academic Director and other operations staff.
Responsibilities
General Administrative
· Maintains filing system compliant with the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas State Library Archives Commission
· Ensures that all confidential files and information within the Superintendent’s Office are kept secured
· Assists Superintendent with Education Service Centers and TEA responses, contract management, and compliance requirements
· Assists the Superintendent with the submission of waivers, amendments, application requests, reports and responses as required by the Texas Education Agency
· Ensures organizational updated documents are filed in a timely manner with entities such as but not limited to the Texas Education Agency, the Secretary of State, and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
· Assists with website postings as mandated by the Texas Education Agency or by other entities as required
· Serves as the District’s point of contact with vendors
· Ensures compliance of board meeting notices/agendas and minutes as mandated by the Texas Open Meetings Act
· Assists the Board of Directors with the updating of board policies, handbooks, and manuals
· Coordinates/payroll efforts with the back-office service provider
· Participates in recruitment, selection, and onboarding of new staff
· Manages relationships with all operations vendors, including food services, IT, back office, and custodial services
· Steps in as a leader on ad hoc tasks and projects wherever necessary to build a strong school environment
· Works with administrators to check and assist with adherence in all areas. Suggests changes to documents as necessary
· Develops and upkeeps calendar of all required reporting for Thrive Center for Success
· Performs other clerical tasks and assumes responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent or designee
PEIMS and State Data Reporting
· Coordinates all campus level activities associated with PEIMS and data reporting
· Evaluates student information system programs for accuracy and comprehensiveness including but not limited to; cumulative folders, record requests, transcripts, report cards/progress reports, student health, medication and allergy records, special program and specialized indicator coding, and student attendance data
· Ensures the school is adhering to all local compliance and reporting requirements
· Manages and supports campus registrar in the following areas:
. Coordinates the procedures used to provide transcript data collection and dissemination.
. Uses TRex to send and receive student records from one district to another
. Coordinates and manages activity associated with student attendance for the district and with requests for permanent records
. Gathers and creates data reports as needed for school administrators and federal/state/city agencies
. Lead the preparation of student records for internal and external audits (i.e., student medical records)
. Coordinates campus enrollment and withdraw requests
. Works in conjunction with back-office service provider to oversee, collect and report data to TEA and other agencies, as required, including PEIMS data
Campus Operations
· Oversees and assists with all essential aspects of the campus’s finance and operations (e.g., timesheets, accounts payable, IT, school safety, procurement, certification(s), facility appearance, school’s supply and asset inventory, and transportation services by coordinating with service providers, deliveries.)
· Manages any facilities and maintenance needs on an ongoing basis, including entrance and exit procedures
· Coordinates necessary transportation and manages required reporting
· Leads school safety initiatives and ensures compliance with school safety rules and regulations
· Ensuresthe physical and emotional safety of all students and staff by consistently evaluating the school culture and environment
· Supports the resolution of HR issues including policy clarification, disagreements and grievances, if applicable
· Assists in the management of Worker’s Compensation program including timely filing of claims, monitoring open claims, reporting, and effectively communicating with employees, supervisors, medical providers, and insurance adjuster
· Manages absence and timekeeping software, ensuring timesheets, absences, and substitutes accounts are maintained properly
· Maintains DPS user access and ensures all employees and contractors are fingerprinted and authorized to work in Texas public schools
Budget and Finance
· Ensures fiscal compliance and adherence to fiscal policies & procedures for a clean financial internal/external audit
· Ensures compliance with all state, federal, and local employment laws and policies
· Acts as the primary liaison with the back-office provider for the day-to-day management of the budget, payroll, purchasing procedures, tracking, and financial reporting
Other responsibilities as assigned.
Competencies and Commitments
● Excellent communication skills, with a good command of the English language and vocabulary
● Results driven approach to work with a passion for achieving goals and flexible attitude to the working environment
● Exceptional project management and data assessment skills, with an ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously
● Knowledge of complex stakeholder management, ability to collaborate and develop and maintain successful and professional working relationships
● Proven experience building operational efficiency while proactively finding solutions
● Proven excellent IT and analytical skills and ability to gather and analyze data extracting insights and reporting
● Exceptional attention to detail
● Highly motivated and self-starter/self-directed learner with a “whatever it takes” attitude to work independently and as a team player
● Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the Thrive Center ForSuccess mission and community
● Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
● High level of flexibility and openness to change
● Ahigh level of self-awareness including transparent understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses
● Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision-making
● Initiator, problem-solver, and creative thinker
● Knowledge of the laws, rules, procedures, and programs specifically related to the business operation of public charter schools in Texas
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
● Growth mindset: strong receptiveness to give and receive frequent feedback
Required:
· Able to lift 50 pounds, run 100 yards, drop/lift to one knee, go up/downstairs, and preform some light manual labor
· Bachelor's degree
· Willingness to work on some evenings or other non-standard business hours, as required by the needs of the school and in accordance with the duties outlined above
· A minimum of 5+ years of experience in operations or similar role in education or similar organization
Highly Preferred:
· Master’s degree in a related field
· Fluency in Spanish
· Experience working in a school setting
· Proven experience of managing staff with ability to motivate team members to achieve goals
· Strong cultural competency skills, including the ability to communicate and work effectively with a diverse population
Thrive’s Commitment to Diversity
Thrive with Autism is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. Thrive with Autism is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood.
Compensation and Benefits
The range of compensation for the Operations Manager position is $40,000-$60,000 and a starting salary is determined based on years of relevant experience.
Thrive offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental benefits, and time off via school holidays, summer break, and PTO. Thrive is a participant in the Teacher’s Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
*Compensation rates are contingent upon the confirmation of grant-based funding for the 23-24 school year as well as approval by the Thrive Board of Directors.
To Apply: Visit www.thrivesuccess.org/jobs
