Director of Operations Fellow
Uncommon Schools
Director of Operations Fellow
Uncommon Schools
Non-profit K-12 charter school network
At Uncommon Schools, we know running exceptional schools takes more than great
instruction—it also takes exemplary operations! Uncommon Schools' operations leaders work passionately to ensure that our faculty maximizes time and energy on student achievement. They design, implement, and refine systems that anticipate the needs of the school community. As service-oriented leaders, they tackle problems, share standard methodologies across campuses, and respond to urgent needs. They partner to build an academic and cultural environment that supports our ultimate goal: ensuring that every student will earn a college degree.
The Director of Operations Fellow is a full-time position that prepares you to become a Director of Operations (DOO) of an Uncommon school. As DOO, you will lead a school in partnership with the Principal, working together to ensure your students receive an exemplary education.
The DOO Fellowship is based on a foundation of four core elements that are aligned to the competencies of Uncommon leaders. Each element is designed to build Fellows’ capacity towards becoming effective DOOs. These include Professional Development, Experiential Learning, Practical Application and Reflective Practice.
The DOO Fellowship typically lasts one year; however, the length of time will vary based on open positions and DOO Fellow readiness. Fellows should expect to work in multiple locations and gradespans within the region. Fellow placement is based on the region’s needs as well as Fellows’ growth areas and matching them with host DOOs to best support their development.
Professional Development
All Fellows will attend a series of professional development workshops throughout the
Fellowship. The subject matter of these workshops is grounded in the leadership competencies that DOOs are evaluated and developed on.
Experiential Learning
Feedback and coaching, especially when individualized, are critical tools that will support the Fellow’s growth as a leader. Fellows will engage in experiential learning activities, and receive feedback targeted at their individualized areas of growth. Experiential learning activities include: submission of weekly deliverables; on-site coaching with real-time feedback; and practice clinics where fellows will engage in case studies, role plays, and problem solving exercises.
Practical Application
Fellows are placed at an existing Uncommon school and serve as full-time members of the school's operations team. They engage in operations work at their host school, tackle school or regional-based operations projects, and conduct observations and analysis of operational systems. Fellows are responsible for completing a variety of pre-determined deliverables that expose them to all of the key components of DOO work. Practical application includes an Immersion in which the Fellow acts as DOO in place of their host DOO for 4-6 weeks. During this time, their host DOO is offsite and the Fellow is acting DOO and co-leads the school alongside the Principal.
Reflective Discourse
The Fellowship will create space at in-person sessions for reflective discourse, so that Fellows can learn from their own experiences and those of others in the cohort. Fellows will also be supported in developing a reflective practice, where they will codify their learning through written reflections and create plans to make their growth and development actionable.
Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.
Our Approach to AI and Your Application
At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.
Compensation
Compensation for this role is between $108,000 to $114,500. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $108,000.
Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.
Benefits
Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
Extensive, best-in-class training and development
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
Financial Planning
Pension through Mass. Teachers Retirement System
403(b) retirement savings program
Transit Commuter Benefit with employer subsidy toward eligible transit expenses
Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.
At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].
Non-profit K-12 charter school network
Uncommon Schools operates a network of public charter K-12 schools that serve students from low-income backgrounds. It runs 57 schools in northeastern cities such as Boston, Camden, Newark, New York City, Rochester, and Troy, serving over 21,000 students. The organization provides a structured curriculum, strong school culture, and ongoing professional development for teachers and leaders, funded by per-pupil public dollars and private donations. Its model emphasizes rigorous academics, character development, and college preparation to close achievement gaps. Compared with many competitors, Uncommon Schools reports higher SAT and AP scores and higher college-degree attainment for its graduates, especially among Black and Latinx students. The goal is to ensure students graduate prepared for college and succeed in higher education and beyond by expanding access to high-quality public education for low-income communities.
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