Deputy Executive Director of Operations - Division of Operations

Job Description

Job Title

Job Title:  Deputy Executive Director of Operations – Division of Operations

Location: Office of Schools - Fisher Building 3011 W Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48202

Salary: $107,951 - $154,637

Reports to: Deputy Superintendent Operations

Bargaining Unit: N/A

Telecommuting Eligible: 20%

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 20% (one day per week)

Position Summary:

As a significant member of the DPSCD’s Operations Team, the Deputy Executive Director of Operations provides direct support to the Deputy Superintendent of Operations and is responsible for defining, planning, tracking and managing projects from concept to completion. The Deputy Executive Director will also Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, representing the Deputy Superintendent effectively and manage the work of DPSCD departments thereby optimizing processes to improve team productivity and organizational workflows. This position requires an acute aptitude for facilities project management, the ability to interact with and present to various stakeholders while managing multiple projects, strong technical writing skills and demonstrated capacity to create and proofread presentations and proposals. This role also requires the ability to prioritize an array of professional tasks concurrently.  The Deputy Executive Director will also manage a team to create and support new initiatives and process improvements that are core to the functional success of the Division of Operations as well as ensure knowledge is codified and shared through the District’s website and employee hub, and provide indirect management to other staff on projects, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience; at least three (3) years of experience working directly with executive-level leaders
• Direct work with facilities management and construction projects is preferred
• Experience conducting stakeholder engagement with a wide variety of audiences
• Knowledge and experience with project management tools and processes such as MS Project
• Demonstrated proficiency with Office 365, Qualtrics, PowerSchool, and project management software
• Experience working in an urban public school district is a plus

Key Competencies:

Leadership: Ability to inspire and guide teams towards achieving goals.

Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify issues and develop effective solutions.

Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build and maintain positive relations relationships with stakeholders.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Support

1. Support the Deputy Superintendent in developing and executing organizational strategies.
2. Develop and implement high impact special project plans covering multiple Cabinet offices.
3. Act as a thought partner to anticipate challenges and propose solutions that align with long-term goals.
4. Monitor progress on high-impact initiatives, track progress and ensure timely delivery.
5. Assist Ops leaders with the development and implementation of the Office of Operations strategic plan objectives, activities, and key results.
6. Define the project management process, standards, deliverables, and operational cadence necessary to ensure consistency throughout project. Assist with the development of Standard Operating Procedures documentation, training and communication.
7. Refine responsibilities and manage the Division’s project management office and contracted PM staff.
8. Lead project management team in support of initiatives within and across teams by defining, planning, tracking and managing toward key outcomes, including leading effective project kick-offs, check-ins and closure meetings.
9. Conduct engagement sessions on key Office of Operations initiatives
10. Work collaboratively with leaders across the District to improve operations and share information.

Operational Management

1. Oversee the execution of operational projects and initiatives.
2. Coordinate daily work with department heads to ensure alignment with district goals.
3. Manage the Deputy Superintendent’s public relations schedule and prioritize tasks to maximize efficiency.
4. Provide insights and recommendations based on data analysis and strategic needs.
5. Contribute to the development of overall goals for the Facilities Master Plan (FMP)
6. Monitor and report status of key FMP deliverables for internal and external stakeholders.
7. Connect engineering and design plans with instructional delivery and school operations in alignment with the district’s strategic plan.
8. Actively participate in the development and implementation of policy, processes and procedures, serve as an agent to inform, advocate and administer new policies, procedures and change orders.
9. Develop methods for Ops leaders and contractors to make progress against goals visible, including shared Gantt charts, Power BI, dashboards, etc.
10. Lead the revision of Administrative Guidelines on an annual cadence.

Communication

1. Coordinate and facilitate engaging stakeholder meetings to share pertinent information, project status and timelines/upcoming deadlines for transparency, accountability and real-time feedback.
2. Maintain a consistent reporting cadence for updates to leadership and stakeholders.
3. Qualify levels of engagement for Implementation Oversight Team, Management Team, and Implementation Workgroup members for the Facilities Master Plan.
4. Create dashboards and other communication tools for full visibility of grant and capital funded projects.

Administration

1. Draft high-level communications, including memos, presentations, and reports, on behalf of the Deputy Superintendent.
2. Prepare briefings and talking points to support public appearances, meetings, and decision-making.
3. Organize manage events, such as workshops, training sessions, and conferences
4. Maintain accurate records and path directories of  meetings, decisions, plans, and reports.
5. Assist with financial forecasts and monitor expenditures of special projects in alignment with budgets.
6. Actively participate in the development and implementation of policy, processes and procedures, serve as an agent to inform, advocate and administer new policies, procedures and change orders.
7. Coordinate multi-level Division of Operations team member/contractors and stakeholder involvement in support of the Facilities Master Plan and capital project implementation.

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.