Description

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Reports to: Head of School
Direct Reports: Director of Admissions, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Facilities, Information Technology Manager, Director of Marketing and Communications

Position Overview

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a senior executive leader responsible for overseeing the operational, financial, and administrative functions of the school in support of its Christ-centered mission. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the COO ensures that - non-instructional operations reflect biblical values, support the spiritual and academic formation of students, and advance the long-term sustainability of the school.

The COO partners closely with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and other CAK and community leaders to steward the school’s resources with wisdom, integrity, and excellence. This role requires a servant leader who integrates faith and professional expertise, translating vision into effective systems, policies, and practices that enable the school community to flourish.

Key Responsibilities

Mission-Centered Leadership

• Advance the school’s mission, vision, and Statement of Faith through all operational practices and decision-making.
• Partner with the Head of School to ensure that operational strategy supports spiritual formation, academic excellence, and community life.
• Model a Christlike leadership posture marked by humility, integrity, accountability, and service.

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and leadership team to develop and implement strategic plans that support enrollment growth, financial sustainability, and operational excellence.
• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to long-range planning and institutional decision-making.
• Ensure alignment and collaboration across operational departments in service of the school’s mission.

Financial Stewardship

• Supervise the effort to ensure long-term budgeting and forecasting models are established and maintained. 
• Collaborate and guide the accounting and financial operations through the Chief Financial Officer, providing oversight of operational costs and financial stability while developing, reporting, and delivering on measurable metrics.
• Ensure faithful stewardship of financial resources, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and ethical practices.
• Support long-term financial sustainability, including enrollment-based revenue planning, capital planning, cost management including outsourcing and insourcing strategies, and risk management.

Admissions and Enrollment Management

• Supervise the Director of Admissions to ensure enrollment strategies align with the school’s mission, culture, and capacity.
• Collaborating on recruitment, retention, financial aid strategy, enrollment forecasting provide input for the annual budget related to admissions and enrollment needs.
• Oversee the marketing development plans and admissions performance reporting.
• Ensure admissions processes reflect a hospitable, Christ-centered approach to families and prospective students.

Facilities and Campus Operations

• Supervise the Director of Facilities in overseeing campus operations, maintenance, safety, and long-term facilities planning.
• Ensure facilities are safe, welcoming, and supportive of worship, learning, and community life.
• Provide input for the annual budget related to facility needs.
• Oversee emergency preparedness, risk management, and compliance with health and safety regulations.

Information Technology

• Supervise the Information Technology Manager to ensure reliable, secure, and mission-supportive technology systems.
• Align technology infrastructure with instructional goals, administrative efficiency, and data security.
• Provide input for the annual budget related to IT.
• Provide oversight of cybersecurity, data privacy, and technology-related risk.

Organizational Effectiveness

• Develop and refine operational policies, procedures, and systems that promote efficiency, clarity, and excellence.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional growth among operational teams.
• Support human resources functions in collaboration with the Head of School and CFO, as applicable, ensuring practices align with biblical principles and school values.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business administration, - or a related field preferred.
• Five years or more successful hands-on P&L responsibility of $5M or more in revenue.
• Three years or more serving in the role of either General Manager, President, COO, or CEO of a commercial or not-for-profit business that generated more than $10M in annual revenue is preferred.
• Three years or more experience working with external board members, committees and collaborative management structures and programs.
• Working knowledge of Roberts Rules and how that supports the committee and board functions.
• Successful development and implementation of operational policies and procedures.
• Significant senior-level leadership experience in operations, finance, or administration; experience in Christian education, independent schools, or nonprofit organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to Jesus Christ and the ability to integrate faith into professional leadership.
• Strong business acumen and experience overseeing human resource activities, budget performance, forecasting and planning, and financial systems.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex systems, and align operations with mission and strategy.
• Excellent communication and relational skills, with a collaborative and servant-hearted leadership style.

Personal and Spiritual Attributes

• A growing Christian faith evidenced by personal character, church involvement, and leadership practices.
• Commitment to biblical truth and the school’s Statement of Faith.
• Servant leader who builds trust, unity, and clarity.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills.
• Calm, wise, and discerning presence in complex situations.