School Operations Manager

CHS Harrisburg – Harrisburg, PA

Full-time

CHS Harrisburg will be the second Center to open under the Catherine Harrisburg Schools organization, and is expected to open in 2024. The two-story, 48,692-square-foot building, located at the northeast corner of North 6th St. and Muench St., will include a Family Success Center, an Innovation Studio, and an experiential learning garden. The Center will accommodate 150 children from birth to age 5 and is expected to employ up to 80 employees and volunteers.

To prepare for the opening of CHS Harrisburg in 2024, teachers and staff will receive pre-opening professional development, coaching, training, and team building through the CHS Development Program. This is a unique opportunity for early childhood professionals to expand their knowledge, grow their careers, and launch a child-focused state-of-the-art early learning center.

Role Description:

The School Operations Manager is responsible for managing operations and interactions at the Center. The individual will oversee administrative functions, lead and maintain team accountability, ensure compliance and quality, and develop and ensure policies and procedures for the Center. The Operations Manager will be an effective leader and administrator with strong experience leading operational activities relating to program support services, including but not limited to transportation, campus safety and security, facility maintenance, and food services. The individual will have strong skills in planning and organization, effective verbal and written communication, conflict management, and experience ensuring operational facility compliance with OCDEL, NAEYC, and other high-quality standards. The School Operations Manager will report to the Center Director, with whom the individual will work closely to strategize on risks and issues. Starting salary is in the range of $48,607 - $64,891 a year, based on expertise.

Responsibilities:

Managing CHS Center data, outcomes, and trends on operational and administrative areas including staff retention, financial forecasts, and logistics
Maintaining inventory data for CHS Harrisburg related to outside suppliers
Administering the contract for custodial/building services and coordination of internal staffing and external schedules for CHS Harrisburg
Developing and maintaining CHS Harrisburg policies and procedures, identifying potential risks and addressing them accordingly
Collaborating with the CHS Harrisburg Center Director to set and implement operational strategies
Making regular visitations to classrooms to ensure alignment and maintenance of expectations, accountability, and best practices within administration, facilities, and operations
Implementing health precautions and safety processes and standards for CHS Harrisburg (including cleaning and food preparation) to protect children and staff and ensuring compliance with external reviews for food and physical safety (ie. PA Department of Agriculture, etc.)
Coordinating with parents concerning transportation needs, services, times, and policies, and answering any related questions
Co-preparing the annual CHS budget in collaboration with CHS Harrisburg Center Director
Ensuring compliance of requirements and standards of OCDEL, Keystone STARS, and NAEYC in collaboration with other CHS Center staff
Supporting policies and procedures of CHS and acting as role model for those policies
Maintaining communication with outside vendors
Facilitating meetings with operations staff to discuss operations compliance, related updates, and training opportunities.
Providing input for new policies and procedures
Support and facilitate Professional Development content during PD year
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Business Administration, Management, Finance, Accounting, or Hospitality Management, or Nutrition related field (Master’s Degree MS, MBA, MEd preferred)
5 or more years of experience leading in related field (Operations/HR/Finance/Administrative, preferred)
2+ years of experience working in the early childhood space, and closely with OCDEL, Keystone STARS, and NAEYC quality standards (preferred)
Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families (preferred)
Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for students
Ability to forge strong business relationships with external vendors at the community at large
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
Bilingual Spanish ability preferred
U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Who We Are and What We’re Looking For

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.

Apply Now

Teacher and students looking at an abacus

About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

For more than 110 years, Milton Hershey School (MHS) has helped children realize their full potential by offering a top-notch private, cost-free education to students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade from income-eligible families. To expand and enhance the impact of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s vision, the Boards and management of Milton Hershey School and the Hershey Trust Company are launching the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a cost-free, non-residential early childhood education program.

CHS plans to open six early childhood education Centers by 2027. The Centers are designed for children from birth to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds with the goal of encouraging the development of a child’s educational, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The CHS Initiative will provide a focus on core early learning programs through a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is aligned with a mission to nurture and educate enrolled children. Children also will receive supports such as nutritious meals and provisions of supplies, among other early learning enhancements. Finally, CHS will offer integrated support services for families of children enrolled in the Centers. CHS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity.

Jobs at Milton Hershey School

View more exciting job opportunities at Milton Hershey School.

Explore Careers

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.