Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Leadership Prep School Classification: Exempt Position Type: Full Time Reports to: Superintendent/CEO Date Updated: February 10, 2026 Summary / Objective Leadership Prep School seeks a mission-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead district operations with excellence, equity, and efficiency. The COO serves as a strategic partner and key member of the leadership team, shaping the vision for organizational growth, operational performance, and fiscal sustainability. The ideal leader blends data-driven decision-making with practical judgment, models accountability and ethics, communicates with clarity, and builds systems that enable team success. The COO champions a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and service for students, staff, families, and the community-rooted in our commitment to learn, grow, and lead for a lifetime. Scope & Organizational Impact The COO leads and manages the district's operations portfolio-including Facilities (FMO), Safety & Security, Technology (IT), HR Operations, and Operations Compliance-and ensures topline revenue through oversight of Average Daily Attendance (ADA) and enrollment. The COO clarifies and implements the district's operations model, partnering closely with campus leadership and central teams to deliver reliable services, responsive support, and measurable outcomes. Major Responsibilities & Duties 1) Strategic Leadership & Long-Range Planning * Lead long-range planning for district growth, including land acquisition, facilities expansion, infrastructure planning, and capacity modeling. * Develop and annually update a 10-year master facilities plan aligned to academic priorities and enrollment projections. * Align operational plans with the district Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan. 2) Operations Management & Continuous Improvement * Align and optimize K-12 operational systems to ensure functionality, service quality, and efficiency. * Use ongoing assessment and data analysis to drive improvements; establish KPIs, service standards, and dashboards. * Direct district operations through subordinate directors/managers; ensure service-oriented, collaborative delivery. 3) Facilities Maintenance & Capital Projects * Ensure facilities are functional, safe, clean, and well-maintained; oversee a reliable work order system. * Maintain written procedures for M&O; conduct inspections; recommend and execute improvements. * Coordinate maintenance for extracurricular/special programs; enforce facility use policies. * Prepare specs for contracted work, manage bids, and ensure quality control for vendor performance. * Implement an energy management program and ensure compliance with safety and building codes. 4) Technology (IT) Services * Oversee IT service delivery, uptime, and ticketing performance; establish standards of excellence and SLAs. * Govern core productivity and support communication platforms. * Ensure project management discipline, cybersecurity standards, and reliable systems for instruction and operations. 5) Safety & Security * Ensure compliance with state/federal safety requirements; align to guidance from TEA/TXSCC. * Oversee emergency response planning, drills, and incident management. * Monitor reporting tools and background checks for all applicable teams/volunteers. * Partner with campuses to enforce standards and respond to critical issues. 6) Human Resources Operations * Support HR operations to ensure strong onboarding, offboarding, and progressive discipline practices. * Ensure consistent use of LPS Employment Action Process and templates; monitor substitute campus coverage. * Coordinate building access systems with Security and HR. * Promote team culture, fairness, and clarity in roles and accountability. 7) Budget, Procurement & Inventory * Develop and manage complex budgets; ensure financial stewardship and cost effectiveness. * Initiate purchases and bids per policy; monitor open POs, and vendor performance * Maintain inventory controls and recommend disposal of obsolete assets. 8) Policy, Reporting & Compliance * Ensure compliance with federal/state law, SBOE rules, and local board policy. * Prepare reports and present complex operational data to leadership, the board, and stakeholders. * Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards. 9) Communication, Culture & Stakeholder Engagement * Communicate expectations, decisions, and status transparently to principals, Cabinet, teams, and partners. * Reinforce LPS culture, service norms, and cross-functional collaboration. * Provide clear escalation pathways and post-incident learning. 10) People Leadership * Recruit, develop, and supervise departmental leaders; set clear goals and performance routines. * Coach leaders on problem-solving and systems responses; foster empowerment and accountability. * Use a consistent workflow system for weekly accountability across departments. Supervisory Responsibilities Directly and/or indirectly supervises leaders and staff across: Facilities (FMO), Safety & Security, Technology (IT), HR Operations, and Operations Compliance/PEIMS coordination. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) * Facilities: Work order resolution times, standards of excellence scoring, daily custodial data collection, quality audits, energy performance, safety findings. * IT: Ticket SLAs, uptime, project delivery, standards compliance, standards of excellence * Safety & Security: drill compliance, incident response timeliness, background check completion, Sentinel compliance with TEA and TXSSC requirements. * HR Ops: Implementing onboarding and offboarding systems, time-to-fill, onboarding timeliness, substitute coverage rates. * Fiscal: budget-to-actuals, procurement cycle times, vendor quality, audit outcomes. * Stakeholder satisfaction: campus and department feedback. Qualifications * Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. * Holds a Teaching Certification; Principal Certification preferred. * 10+ years in education, non-profit, or operations leadership; 10+ years of people management with 5+ years in systems-level or executive leadership. * Proven record of operational excellence and organizational growth while preserving culture. * Demonstrated success in data-driven planning and execution. * Experience managing complex budgets and procurement. * Excellent oral and written communication with diverse audiences. * Unwavering belief in the potential of all learners; commitment to education. * Clear and valid Texas driver's license. Physical Requirements * Significant time at a computer/desk. * Ability to attend meetings, trainings, and site walkthroughs. * Ability to assist staff with FMO Operations functions including lifting and moving school items during events. * Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment * Hybrid: in-office/at schools, with typical office environment and frequent interruptions. Travel Requirements * Ability to travel across LPS campuses and district sites as needed. Application Process: Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume, cover letter, and references through our online application portal at . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candiates are required to complete the attached interview to be considered. (Please see link below) Application Interview Equal Employment Opportunity Leadership Prep School provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Created: 2026-04-02