Dawson School, a K-12 independent school of 520 students located east of Boulder, Colorado on a beautiful 112-acre campus, seeks a Director of Operations. The Dawson school community is engaged, collaborative, and committed to the healthy development and education of all its students.

The Director of Operations oversees facilities, safety and security, food services, human resources, payroll, and auxiliary services. The Director of Operations plays a crucial role in overseeing the school’s operational functions, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with our strategic objectives. This position reports directly to the Head of School and collaborates closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Chair of the Facilities Committee, and Board of Trustees. 

Dawson Mission Statement

Dawson School is dedicated to excellence of mind, body, and character. We prepare students, through challenging and relevant learning, to become creative, resilient problem-solvers who bring their best to the world.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in business administration, Human Resources, or related field. An MBA or related advanced degree is preferred

• At least five years of operations experience 

• Strong knowledge of HR principals, procedures, and practices and understanding of employment law

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or the necessary educational and/or work experience required to obtain a certification within one year of employment

• Experience working with physical plant operations, maintenance, and repair; planning, scheduling, management and administration of the plant; and related federal, state, and local regulations

• Supervisory experience

• Experience with non-profits or schools a plus

• Advanced Excel skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite

Professional and Personal Qualifications

• Leadership style that reflects teamwork and personal responsibility

• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate

• Consistently high-quality work product with minimal supervision

• Knowledge of problem solving techniques to effectively identify problems and determine the most appropriate course of action

• Effective, appropriate, and timely communication with all faculty, staff, administrators, Board Trustees, Board committee members, parents, students, vendors, etc. Interaction requires not only good language and writing skills, but technical knowledge, maturity, discretion and sound judgment as well

• Detail-oriented; a great manager of their own time and others’ time 

• Excellent written and verbal communication with all constituencies

• Absolute integrity, discretion, and confidentiality

• Strong work ethic

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent time management with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills

• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees

• Passion and skill to contribute positively to an educational environment that supports a lifelong love of learning
  
  

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Partner with the CFO to identify, prioritize, and manage major capital and operations projects

• Support the Facilities Manager in establishing procedures for maintenance, repair, and/or replacement of Dawson facilities, grounds, and equipment while maintaining appropriate awareness and sensitivity to school seasonal and operational demands

• Support the Director of Security and Safety in maintaining a safe and secure environment

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and statutes related to employment, payroll, and benefits regulations

• Consult with administrators, employees, and legal counsel as needed to resolve personnel issues, including conducting and documenting interviews and investigations

• Serve as a third-party mediator to support employee interpersonal problem resolution

• Work with the CFO and the Director of Auxiliary programs in exploring alternative revenue sources

• Effectively identify problems and determine the most appropriate course of action

• Participate in department, division, or school task forces and committees as needed

• Participate in Dawson community events and support faculty, staff, students, and families.

• Seek out and participate in professional growth opportunities in independent school development.
  
  

The salary range for this position is $105k - $120k and commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, 401(k), and generous time off. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume on the Dawson website (www.dawsonschool.org).  Click on ABOUT at the top of the page, click on Careers, scroll to the middle of the page, click the link View Current Job Openings, and select the Director of Operations posting to apply for this position. Only online applications will be accepted. No phone calls please.  This year-round position is available immediately and is 100% in the office.   

Dawson School Diversity Statement

Dawson is united in nurturing a culture of belonging that embraces diversity of thought, experience, identity, and passion.

Dawson actively promotes and embraces the exchange of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds through curricular design, community involvement, and the integration of our four virtues - respect, compassion, courage, and integrity - into every aspect of our community life. It is our responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all members of our community, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, ability, or religion, as well as to cultivate in each student the ability to make empathetic, socially responsible decisions.

Director of Finance and Operations

About Boulder Country Day School

BCD is a premier independent school in Boulder. For over 30 years, Boulder Country Day School has been at the forefront of education in the Boulder Valley and we offer an educational experience where students innovate, create, grow, and thrive!

Director of Finance and Operations

This is an exciting time to join BCD’s Business Office team as we embark on our next phase, Bulldogs Forever which includes a new building on our campus to support additional collaborative learning environments and gathering spaces for our innovative programs.

Our Business Office is an integral part of BCD’s preschool - 8th grade school community. We firmly believe that a strong business environment is among our greatest assets to help ensure that our school has the resources to support our students’ intellectual, social, and emotional development.

As an important member of BCD’s Business Office team, the Director of Finance & Operations will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and financial management of BCD with the support of the part-time CFO. The successful candidate will be a hands-on and collaborative manager with proven experience in accounting and operations. The Business Office works in partnership with all the faculty and staff providing support for financial decision making.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the day-to-day functions of the Business Office, including implementing internal controls and the month end close processes
• Provide supervision and support to the Accounting Associate, IT team, Facilities team, and oversight of the dining services contract. Ensure these functions are efficient in supporting the needs of BCD’s faculty and staff.
• Prepare, analyze, and communicate monthly financial statements to department heads
• Support the CFO in coordinating the annual audit process 
• Maintain the tuition management system and related tuition revenue recognition policies and A/R
• Collaborate with Development team to reconcile capital campaign gifts, general donations and ensure compliance with GAAP
• Prepare, process, and record monthly payroll and related expenses
• Coordinate payroll related employee benefits; our HSA, 403(b)
• Assist CFO and leadership team in the annual budget preparation; monitor and communicate progress and changes against the budget and forecasting results
• Oversee risk management activities, including primary point of contact for property liability policies
• Other duties as assigned by CFO and/or Head of School

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting
• A minimum of seven years of accounting experience
• High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential data
• Experience with QuickBooks
• Experience managing others and working across departments
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute strategy by managing multiple business operations processes
• Effective communication and collaboration skills
• Team player; open minded, flexible, and reflective
• Strong commitment to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community

Preferred Qualifications

• QuickBooks certification
• Nonprofit accounting experience
• Prior work in education
• Experience with Blackbaud products for business operations of fundraising, enrollment, and merchant services

This job may be a great fit for you if

• You have a combination of financial expertise and nonprofit operational experience
• You are mission driven and passionate about business operations and education
• You are looking for career growth opportunities under the direction of a part-time CFO

Salary and Benefits

• Annual salary starting at $110,000
• Generous Paid Time Off including 12 paid holidays, as well as 12 paid vacation days and 8 paid sick days
• Time off at Thanksgiving, winter, and spring school breaks
• Approximately 92% employer paid medical/dental/vision insurance for employees
• Annual Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability
• A generous retirement savings plan with a 5% employer match
• Tuition reduction up to 50% for students of employees that enroll in BCD

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Commitment
Boulder Country Day School recognizes and values all forms of diversity and provides an inclusive environment which honors each member for their individual differences, experiences, and strengths. Our intentional commitment to embracing and exploring issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in support of social justice affords the freedom for all members of our school community to flourish as unique, confident, compassionate, and ethical individuals. 

How to Apply

We invite all interested and qualified candidates to send a current resume and cover letter expressing interest in the position to [email protected].