Director of Campus Operational Launch

POSITION: Director of Campus Operational Launch

DEPARTMENT: Advancement

LOCATION: Great Hearts Phoenix Home Office                                           

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Enterprise Operations

SALARY RANGE: $75,000 - $90,000

Position Summary

The Director of Campus Operational Launch serves as a critical member of the Growth Team and is responsible for supporting the successful launch and operational readiness of new Great Hearts campuses and affiliated educational initiatives. This position provides operational leadership and implementation support for campus openings, facility readiness, furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE), instructional material deployment, vendor coordination, operational training, documentation development, and knowledge transfer to campus-based operational teams. This role serves as a bridge between Home Office departments and new campuses, ensuring operational consistency, preserving institutional knowledge, and establishing scalable systems that support Great Hearts' continued growth. Manager of Campus Launch and Operational Readiness will travel regularly to emerging regions and new campuses to provide on-site implementation support and training until permanent campus personnel assume responsibility.

This position plays a critical role in preserving institutional knowledge, supporting organizational growth, ensuring operational consistency across regions, and preparing new campuses for successful opening-day operations. The role directly contributes to Great Hearts America's strategic growth initiatives and long-term expansion efforts by creating scalable systems, training future operational leaders, and ensuring excellence in campus implementation.

Duties & Responsibilities

Campus Launch and Growth Support

• Lead operational readiness efforts for new campus openings and growth initiatives.
• Support campus launch activities from pre-construction planning through opening day readiness.
• Coordinate and monitor key operational milestones associated with campus openings.
• Serve as an on-site operational resource during critical launch phases.
• Assist with transition planning and handoff of responsibilities to permanent campus personnel.

Facilities and Operational Implementation

• Support planning and implementation of operational infrastructure including:
  • Classroom layouts and standards
  • Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE)
  • Whiteboards and instructional equipment
  • Security camera systems
  • Access control and badge systems
  • Playground equipment and specifications
  • Campus operational spaces
• Assist with coordination of contractors, vendors, and implementation partners during assigned project phases with the project management team.
• Support facilities-related projects including tenant improvements and operational readiness activities.

Curriculum and Instructional Readiness

• Collaborate with Academic and Curriculum teams to ensure instructional materials are ordered, received, organized, and distributed prior to opening day.
• Develop and maintain campus readiness processes for classroom materials and instructional resources.
• Support campus operational teams in establishing inventory management and distribution procedures.
• Assist campuses with planning and execution of family-facing material distribution events.

Vendor and Partner Management

• Assist with identification, evaluation, onboarding, and management of operational vendors.
• Support establishment of vendor relationships across new regions.
• Coordinate operational service providers including janitorial, security, furniture, and equipment vendors.
• Monitor vendor performance and compliance with Great Hearts standards.

Training and Operational Development

• Support hiring processes for key campus operational positions including Director of Campus Operations, Office Manager, and Front Office Assistant.
• Participate in candidate screening, interview processes, onboarding, and operational training.
• Develop and deliver training materials and implementation resources.
• Provide coaching and support during the transition of responsibilities to campus operational teams.
• Serve as a subject matter expert regarding Great Hearts operational standards and practices.

Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Identify, document, and standardize operational practices and institutional knowledge.
• Develop new operational playbooks, procedures, guides, and implementation resources.
• Update and maintain existing operational documentation.
• Establish and manage centralized repositories for operational resources and standards.
• Support enterprise-wide efforts to improve consistency, scalability, and knowledge sharing.

Enterprise Operations Support

• Support strategic initiatives led by the Enterprise Operations team.
• Assist with cross-functional operational projects.
• Contribute to development of scalable operational systems supporting future growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of organizational priorities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of operational leadership experience.
• Experience working within a school, district, charter network, or educational organization.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel regularly, including overnight travel.
• Ability to work independently while managing competing priorities.

Preferred

• Experience working within Great Hearts Academies.
• Experience as a Director of Campus Operations, Office Manager, Operations Manager, or similar operational leadership role.
• Experience supporting school openings, campus launches, or expansion projects.
• Knowledge of facilities operations, vendor management, procurement, and operational systems implementation.
• Experience developing training materials and operational documentation.
• Familiarity with classroom setup standards, instructional material deployment, and campus operational readiness planning.

Competencies & Strengths

• Operational Excellence
• Relationship Building
• Training and Development
• Vendor Management
• Strategic Planning
• Documentation and Process Development
• Change Management
• Problem Solving
• Organizational Leadership
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service Orientation

Additional Requirements

Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card.

Physical functions: Ability to move and inspect classrooms, facilities, and campus environments. Ability to occasionally life and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to work extended hours during campus launch periods as needed.

Travel required: Will travel regularly to emerging regions and new campuses to provide on-site implementation support and training until permanent campus personnel assume responsibility. Ability to travel frequently to campuses and project sites.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. 

Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.