Director of Operations - GHCA at Great Hearts Christian Academies (GHCA)

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director of Operations

DEPARTMENT: Operations

REPORTS TO: Executive Director and OSE COO

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

LOCATION: Multiple GHCA Campuses

DIRECT REPORTS: Billing Specialist, Campus Operations Staff, Parent Navigators, Security

Job Purpose

The Operations Director serves as a key leadership role responsible for overseeing comprehensive operational functions across Great Hearts Christian Academies' campuses. This position leads campus launch initiatives, enrollment management, marketing strategy, financial oversight, and systems development while ensuring operational excellence and mission alignment with the GHCA academy leadership. The Operations Director serves as a critical bridge between campus leadership and organizational strategy, supporting Great Hearts Christian Academies’ growth and sustainability while maintaining the highest standards of classical Christian education.

Essential Responsibilities and Competencies

Campus Operations & Launch Management

• Lead campus launch initiatives and ensure daily operational readiness across Great Hearts Christian Academies locations, including facilities, IT, FFE, safety, procurement, meals coordination, and budget alignment.

• Establish and maintain emergency protocols aligned with Open Sky Education and Great Hearts emergency plans.

• Coordinate school security, safety drills, and bell schedules according to school needs

• Present training on emergency procedures to all staff prior to the start of each school year

• Ensure classrooms have proper safety routes in place with emergency folders that include emergency procedures

• Work collaboratively with school leaders to plan and manage the use of shared spaces, promoting efficiency and a cohesive environment across Great Hearts Christian Academies' schools housed in the Open Sky Learning Center and leased church spaces.

• Ensure the school facility and grounds are well-maintained and manage the timely resolution of all related issues with the Open Sky Facilities Team.

• Maintain the setup of the Student Information System (Jupiter) and perform regular tasks such as user creation, staff data updates, and training of new team members; support front office managers with system setup and operations

• Develop and execute multi-year growth plans for campus expansion

• Manage partnerships with host churches and coordinate shared-space logistics

• Oversee operational readiness for Great Hearts Christian Academies Gilbert and Maryvale campuses, and future campuses.

Enrollment & Marketing Leadership

• Direct comprehensive enrollment marketing strategy, including referral programs, open houses, information sessions, and community outreach events

• Manage the CRM system (Zensell) for Great Hearts Christian Academies to track and optimize enrollment processes

• Work alongside the Parent Navigator on admissions roles and family engagement initiatives

• Oversee family communications, storytelling initiatives, and event planning to strengthen school culture and community visibility

• Manage end-to-end enrollment operations from interest generation through registration

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and RACI matrices for admissions processes

• Build and maintain dashboards for enrollment and retention metrics

Financial Oversight & Scholarship Administration

• Oversee tuition structure, billing processes, and scholarship programs (ESA, STO, and other funding sources)

• Supervise Billing Specialist to ensure excellent customer service and accurate financial workflows to include timely collections

• Monitor budget performance and implement financial controls

• Track and report on needed data for external donor and grant requests

Systems & Reporting Management

• Develop and maintain enterprise SOPs and performance dashboards

• Create and monitor metrics for enrollment, retention, and financial performance

• Ensure data continuity and integrity across organizational systems

• Streamline data continuity across internal systems

• Prepare and deliver reports to the GHA, OSE, and CCC boards as requested.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as liaison between organizational leadership and campus administration

• Provide coaching and mentorship to operational team members

• Facilitate cross-functional initiatives and ensure alignment with organizational mission and priorities

• Identify operational improvement opportunities and implement solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education Administration, Business, or related field preferred

• 5+ years of experience in educational operations management preferred

• Demonstrated success in enrollment management and marketing strategy

• Strong financial acumen and experience with budget oversight

• Excellent project management and organizational skills

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities

• Proven leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop team members

• Alignment with and passion for classical Christian education

• Experience with CRM systems and data management preferred

Competencies

Mindset:

Collaborative Relationships- Building Relationships

• Builds strong, trusting relationships with stakeholders at all levels

Collaborative Relationships- Communication

• Demonstrates excellent communication and active listening skills across various platforms and contexts

Forming Character – Ethical Practice/Integrity

• Assumes responsibility and accountability for actions and exemplifies the highest ethical standards

Serving Leader – School Culture

• Passionate about serving Christ by serving His kids through the advancement of Christian education

• Loves following the model of Christ to seek to love and serve others out of gratitude for His love and service to us

• Lives and acts as a Biblical role model and Great Hearts Christian Academies representative in your life for our scholars, team members and community

• Maturing Christ- follower who sees the fulfillment of this role and our mission as an active expression of their onboarding walk with Christ. (Includes participation in a local church and other faith-growing habits and communities to be filled up regularly so he/she is ready to pour themselves into our work, mission and team.  Also includes alignment with an desire to advance our Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct.

• Agree to engage in the faith life of our scholars and in collaboration with other team members

Knowledge:

Resource Management – Stewardship

• Demonstrates accountability, discretion, and sound judgment in managing budget and school resources

Serving Leader – Leadership and Development

• Facilitates execution of organizational strategy through collaborative leadership and developing capabilities of team members

Application:

Resource Management – Campus Operations

• Supports operational excellence through effective management of facilities, resources, and systems

Resource Management – Budgeting and Planning

• Leads annual budgeting and planning processes for operational areas

Resource Management – Records Management

• Maintains accurate and complete records across all operational functions

Additional Requirements  

• Fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP Level One fingerprint clearance card. 

   

• Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately. 

   

• Travel required: Will travel locally to the various academies within the Phoenix metro area as well as out of state for meetings or professional development.  

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

Great Hearts Christian Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

GHCA is a religious organization employer as defined by Sections702(a) and 703(e)(2) of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a religious educational institution, GHCA is permitted to hire and employ individuals aligned with or sharing the religious faith espoused by GHCA.