Chief Operating Officer (LA Charter School)

Description

The students of Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans need your talent, expertise, passion and leadership.

We are seeking highly motivated and innovative practitioners to join our team at LFNO. We seek individuals who are radically relentless about re-envisioning the landscape of public education in Louisiana and making a significant difference in the lives of students, parents, school leaders, teachers, and central office employees.

Currently the LFNO is a Type 2 Charter School network that serves approximately 1,000 students from the Greater New Orleans Region with international teachers from around the world. As part of the State's comprehensive transformation effort, the LFNO seeks to become the premier international French-American public school with a commitment to revitalizing Louisiana's French cultural heritage by empowering our stakeholders to be curious, creative thinkers and global citizens committed to our community's future. Over time, the LFNO intends to develop the highest- performing, competitively compensated, and most revered educator workforce in the state known for providing instructional excellence and producing significant outcomes for ALL students.

LFNO is seeking proven instructional leaders with outstanding interpersonal skills who have a passion for working with schools, principals, and communities and who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment, and vision.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Chief Operations Officer oversees, supervises, and directs LFNO's charter school network's financial operations, construction management, capital planning, facilities, property management, emergency planning and preparedness, food services, information technology activities, transportation, and other operational divisions for Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans network.

This position will work closely with leaders from Louisiana Department of Education, CODOFIL, LAPCS, New Schools for Baton Rouge, New Schools for New Orleans, LFNO Parent Teacher Organization, Amis Foundation, Consul General's office, and other regional partners. The COO will strategically manage both long-term and short-term planning projects for the organization by developing both annual and five-year strategic plans including a Master Facilities Plan, Master Technology Plan, and Master Finance Management Plan. They will regularly focus on the management of facilities, technology, operations, and finance to support, train, and enforce accountability systems and measures as set forth by the district, federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance

• Directs, reviews, oversees, monitors, and updates all financial and budgetary documents by working closely with EdOps to ensure effective financial management practices are in place and proactively submits these documents to the state and presents at LFNO Board Meetings.

• Ensures the completion of all financial activities including the preparation and transmission of financial statements, oversight of the annual third-party audit process and other internal audit processes, tax filings, and financial compliance reports to banks, city, state, and federal agencies.

• Coordinates the updates to the District's Long Range Facility Plan, including but not limited to the School Facility Preservation Program, by working closely with the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent sources and use of funds, status, and schedule of construction and phasing of projects, and student impact; monitors school facility legislation.

• Plans and conducts need and risk assessments for growth and improvement of school finances and operations.

• Develops and maintains systems of internal controls to safeguard the financial assets of the organization.

• Negotiates contracts as appropriate; oversees entire procurement process for the LFNO network, reviews billings and contract terms with contractors, identifies best vendors based on both quality and cost, etc.; confers with District legal counsel, as needed and appropriate.

• Supports all fundraising events from a fiscal and operational perspective.

• Serves as the District representative for all matters related to operations, finance, technology, and is responsible for ensuring all data submitted to the state is clean, accurate and timely by developing proactive structures and systems.

• Ensures sustainability of all assigned divisions and functions.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Operations, IT, & Logistics

• Responsible for performing and/or managing; capital improvements and planning, lease agreements, vacant property management, management of district office space, real estate development, facility inspections, facility maintenance services provided to charter schools, child nutrition at participating schools, and information technology needs for district staff.

• Supervise the project to rebrand the school network and launch additional campuses including Baton Rouge

• Oversees long-range facilities' planning, capital improvement planning, and general maintenance planning by finalizing the districts adoption and implementation of design standards for cleaning, maintenance, and construction.

• Identifies and builds technology infrastructure necessary to ensure high organizational efficiency and effectiveness as LFNO continues to grow in size and complexity.

• Collaborates with LFNO Executive Leadership to create an aspirational vision for instructional technology and a strategy to achieve that vision.

• Manages, oversees, and coordinates facilities leads during the planning, construction, and closeout phases projects or modernization planning including construction projects, annual audits, financial controls, IT systems, and campus safety plans.

• Establishes and maintains a close working relationship with the LDOE, LAPCS, Mayor's Office, City Council, Homeland Security, City Law Enforcement, Fire Prevention, City Water and Sewage Board Departments, as well as other Federal, State, and Local agencies.

• Provides support for the superintendent's executive team with daily operations and provides professional guidance including policy advice, decision-making and operational assistance.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Responsible for enforcing accountability systems and providing training to schools on the districts approach to: Budget/Financial Management, IT systems, IT infrastructure, Facility management, maintenance service expectations, transportation regulations, hazardous materials management, district owned moveable assets and school security best practices.

• Directs, prepares, oversees, monitors, and updates the District safety and emergency preparedness plans; coordinates all necessary communication; provides information to staff regarding the plans functions, policies and procedures; chairs safety and emergency preparedness program committees.

• Represents the District in City-wide emergency planning efforts and represents the district during activations of the City of New Orleans Emergency Operations Center.

• Acts as a resource person and investigator regarding any emergencies; initiates appropriate actions.

• Leads and manages Technology team to ensure the district is using technology thoughtfully to work better and smarter, while reducing and mitigating risks.

• Prepares notices, public information documents, and other information items, including resolutions, agenda items and documentation required for LFNO School Board action.

• Attends meetings and/or stays abreast of developments with BESE, Orleans Parish School Board, City of New Orleans, and other departmental and/or staff meetings, as required and appropriate.

• Attends and participates in professional organizations and meetings as appropriate and/or as requested by the Superintendent and seeks all eligible ASBO/LASBO credentials.

• Monitors all LDOE newsletters and implements systems to ensure all employees are attending monthly webinars and required trainings.

• Manages, oversees, and coordinates the alignment of all audits, state data systems and school platforms such as PowerSchool by ensuring data accuracy and providing project management to ensure merger of all possible data systems into PowerSchool.

• Attends all LDOE Systems Level Leaders and Charter Accountability meetings and calls to ensure compliance and proper implementation.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Human Resources

• Oversees and manages the human resources team to ensure human resources strategies support business needs and drive organizational success.

• Partners with all LFNO divisions to drive and support talent acquisition and retention efforts for all positions types throughout the network.

• Oversees the compliant collection and payment of work hours and all time off types, ensuring coordination and separation of duties between HR and Finance for processing all regular and off-cycle payroll runs.

• Oversees the development, implementation, adherence to and annual review cycle of HR policies (both general employment P&P as well as internal HR operational SOPs) to ensure legal compliance, organization effectiveness, and consistent communication and application, in alignment with current HR best practices.

• Collaborates with the team for the development and implementation of comprehensive HR strategies aligned with the organization's goals and objectives.

• Ensures the LFNO complies with local, state and federal regulations regarding wage and hour laws, FLSA classification, FMLA, ADA, Workers' Compensation, and all other applicable regulatory guidelines.

• Responsible for ensuring timely reporting and compliance with local, state, and federal requirements (as well as any grant-specific ones), including annual EEO-1, OSHA, Sexual Harassment, and others.

• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with vendors, brokers, and other key HR stakeholders.

• Oversees the design, sourcing, and administration of comprehensive benefits programs, regularly reviewing and adjusting benefits and compensation to maintain market competitiveness and internal fairness.

• Oversees the implementation and continued improvement of conflict resolution practices, ensuring that effective mechanisms are in place for employee feedback and grievance handling.

• Develops and manages the HR department budget at a high level, ensuring strategic allocation of resources and identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.

• Provides strategic oversight for the selection and implementation of HR technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

• Oversees the strategic utilization of HR data and analytics to drive informed decision making, measure the effectiveness of HR initiatives, and ensure the development of key HR metrics and dashboards to track organizational performance and identify trends.

• Champions DEI initiatives at the executive level to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace, overseeing the development and implementation of DEI strategies to ensure representation and equity throughout the organization.

• Promotes a culture of engagement, inclusion, and continuous improvement across the organization by overseeing the development and implementation of employment engagement strategies to foster a motivated and productive workforce.

• Ensures a strategic approach to continuous learning and development within the organization, providing a high-level oversight for the development and implementation of employee training and development programs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Participates in the recruiting, hiring, on-boarding, management, and evaluation of all direct and indirect reports, including school-based operations teams.

• Oversees the daily workflow of all divisions and departments under the COO's direction.

• Develops performance goals collaboratively with their direct reports; ensures that performance goals are clearly communicated and current.

• Provides fair, constructive, and timely feedback regarding their team members' outcomes, deliverables, performance expectations and goals.

• Conducts performance evaluations according to established systems and policies.

• Provides assistance, guidance, and coaching support as needed.

• Mitigates and resolves employee issues and disputes as needed.

• Handles discipline of employees in accordance with LFNO policy and in collaboration with HR.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Business Administration or similar field required.

• 10+ years of professional and leadership experience, preferably in education or government.

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of, and ability to effectively plan and provide training in, facility management and construction, emergency response, risk management, and financial management.

• Experience with creating and facilitating professional management systems and accountability structures.

• Proficient or above ratings on recent performance evaluation system.

• Record of improving student outcomes.

• Must be able to successfully pass a Louisiana criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASBO/LASBO certifications.

• Certification/license as a teacher in Louisiana or another state.

• 3 years successful teaching experience.

• § Superior writing and public speaking skills; excellent communicator in written and verbal form.

• Superior project management skills; outstanding organizational and planning abilities and strong ability to work effectively with individuals and groups.

• High ratings on recent performance evaluation system.

• Model the LFNO Core Values, 7 Seven Habits, and supports the Leader in Me program.

• Extremely versatile, resourceful, and dedicated to efficient productivity; strong relationship building skills.

• Experience planning and leading strategic initiatives; excellent analytical skills.

• Proactive problem solving and results driven actions.

• Proven experience supervising, directing, and evaluating multiple teams and department.

• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the superintendent may require.

Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required

• Knowledge of and experience preparing and overseeing budgets, preferably in a K-12 school setting.

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of Generally Acceptable Accounting Practices (GAPP).

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of Human Resources best practices.

• Knowledge of general management functions of planning and organization, strategic and long-term goal setting and planning.

• Knowledge of the legal and ethical guidelines and obligations applicable to the position as outlined by federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, as well as District policies, regulations, and procedures.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Required to use motor coordination with finger dexterity (such as keyboarding, machine operation, etc.) part of the workday.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb stairs, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and be capable of lifting 25 pounds.

• This job operates in a professional school and office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, spreadsheets, memos, letters, etc.). Maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at LFNO

Lycée is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our daily practices. LFNO staff represent a wide diversity of racial, cultural, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities--opening a window to the entire LFNO community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our consequential work.

Job descriptions are created to provide a framework of responsibilities and are not inclusive of all duties that may be required. LFNO employees embody an "all hands on deck" mentality and do whatever it takes to get the job done regardless of title.