Deputy Chief of Schools Operations

JOB SUMMARY

The Deputy Chief of School Operations directly reports to the Chief of Schools to ensure that instructional and operational systems across schools are tightly aligned to the district’s vision, mission, and action plan. This role is responsible for driving coherence between central office strategy and campus execution, ensuring that Senior Executive Directors, Executive Directors and schools receive seamless, high-quality support that accelerates student outcomes. The Deputy Chief of School Operations supports and develops Senior Executive Directors, Executive Directors, Principals, and Assistant Principals to strengthen operational effectiveness, and leadership capacity. This position requires exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills along with instructional and operational acumen, as well as the ability to translate district priorities into consistent, high-impact practices at the school level.
This leader will continually collaborate with central office leadership, principals, teachers, and support staff, to promote positive student outcomes and organizational effectiveness.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

    List most important duties first
1.    Strategic Leadership and Operations Management:
•    Own the design and alignment of operational systems that directly impact campus operational effectiveness. Ensure that all operational functions are coherent, integrated, and aligned to district priorities.  
•    Establish clear performance metrics tied to campus compliance outcomes, conduct regular performance reviews, and hold leaders accountable for measurable improvements in efficiency, responsiveness, and service quality.
•    Ensure campuses receive differentiated operational support based on need. Identify barriers at the campus level and deploy targeted solutions that increase time-on-task for instruction and reduce principal burden.  
•    Build and maintain systems to monitor operational performance
•    Foster a collaborative and supportive work culture that promotes innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement. 
•    Serve as the primary integrator between central office departments and division leadership. Lead cross-functional problem-solving to resolve systemic issues quickly, remove barriers to execution, and ensure that operational decisions are timely, coordinated, and responsive to campus needs.
•    Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and procedures.
2.    Personnel Management:
•    Conduct non-biased, professional, and timely performance and culture evaluations, provide feedback, and implement corrective actions among Senior Executive Directors and vertical alignment teams (in collaboration with department Chiefs) as requested.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

3.    Stakeholder Collaboration:
•    Collaborate with district leadership, principals, and other stakeholders to identify and address instructional and operational needs and challenges.
•    Facilitate effective communication and coordination between central office departments, community, and school sites.
•    Serve as a liaison between the Division Units, COS Office, and external entities, such as government agencies, community organizations, and vendors.

EDUCATION

Master's degree in education administration, business administration, organizational leadership, strategic leadership, or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 3+ years of leadership experience demonstrating ownership of large-scale operational systems (e.g., staffing, scheduling, service delivery, or resource allocation); proven ability to work cross-functionally to solve complex problems and drive execution across departments; experience directly serving schools or campus-based environments with a clear understanding of operational impact; and a track record of improving efficiency and service quality through data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

SAP, Microsoft Office, Teacher Certification

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

HISD Leadership & High-Performance Culture
HISD is undertaking the most comprehensive public education transformation in the country. Our leaders are expected to be catalysts for change, ensuring that every student receives excellent instruction and is prepared for the demands of the modern workforce. We operate in a high-performance culture where accountability is paired with strong support.
HISD leaders:
•    Embody a growth mindset, continuously improving their leadership and instructional strategies.
•    Manage time and resources effectively, upholding high expectations for punctuality, efficiency, and instructional impact.
•    Drive results through accountability and support.
Choosing to lead in HISD means embracing the challenge of transforming public education at scale.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made on both routine and non-routine matters with some latitude but are still subject to approval. Job is occasionally expected to recommend new solutions to problems and improve existing methods or generate new ideas. 

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have moderate impact on the facility/department or division, causing increased satisfaction or dissatisfaction; producing efficiencies or delays; promoting or inhibiting personal intellectual or professional development; and/or contributing to financial gain or expense. Errors may be serious, usually not subject to direct verification or check, causing losses such as improper cost calculations, overpayment or improper utilization of labor, materials, or equipment. Effects are usually confined to the organization itself and are short term.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Collaborate and solve problems - work with others to resolve problems, clarify, or interpret complex information/policies, and provide initial screening/negotiations without approval authority. Interactions are typically with customers, senior level professional staff, and managers.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Anticipates customer needs, identifies, and champions opportunities for the development and implementation of new services and methods to meet or exceed customer needs. Establishes customer service standards and feedback mechanisms across departments.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.