Vice President, Regional Operations and Strategy
Description
ABOUT ASPIRE
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
JOB SUMMARY
Aspire Public Schools is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Vice President, Regional Operations and Strategy for the Los Angeles region’s schools. Working alongside the Executive Director as a thought-partner; this critical leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance, and providing oversight across multiple functions, including People and Operations (Ops) Teams.
The VP, Regional Operations and Strategy is responsible for overseeing key operational, compliance, and people management functions while supporting school and regional leaders in strategic planning and programmatic coherence. They will act as a key liaison between the Aspire Home Office (HO) and Aspire LA Regional Office (LARO) teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with local, state, and federal requirements. This role will set the vision and lead the strategic plan of the Operations Team, optimize operational structures, and develop new systems to enhance efficiency and ensure compliance with state and authorizer standards.
Essential Functions:
Strategic Planning & Leadership
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to provide strategic planning and operational support for the region, ensuring alignment with Aspire Home Office (HO) expectations.
- Thought partnership with Senior Leadership on Regional strategy and programmatic coherence.
- Lead the charter renewal process, ensuring the collection of relevant information from key stakeholders, meeting state deadlines and compliance with California Department of Education (CDE) and authorizers.
- Support Aspire LA’s strategic priorities, including school site safety, facilities management, and operational compliance in coordination with Aspire LA Executive Director and Aspire’s Home Office Senior Leadership.
- Set the vision and lead the Ops Team to align with the region’s strategic objectives and ensure operational efficiency, working closely with the HO and LARO teams.
- Monitor staffing needs across the region and provide key insights and recommendations on workforce planning to the Executive Director.
Compliance and Risk Management
- Ensure the region meets all state and federal compliance requirements, including regulations from the California Department of Education (CDE) and school authorizers, in partnership with the Aspire’s Home Office Senior Leadership.
- Maintain adherence to risk management protocols by closely collaborating with General Counsel and Aspire’s Home Office Senior Leadership to develop strategies, assess risks, and determine appropriate next steps.
- Oversee facilities compliance, ensuring schools meet all required safety, maintenance, and operational standards as set by Aspire’s Home Office Senior Leadership and Aspire LA’s Executive Director.
- Ensure all schools adhere to programmatic aspects of grant-funded programs, working closely with the Program Manager, Development and Communication to monitor compliance and submit accurate, timely reports to HO.
Operational Leadership
- Monitor and lead the alignment of systems and processes across the region to ensure consistency, operational efficiency, and scalable growth.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as HR, to identify gaps, optimize workflows, and implement best practices.
- Ensure smooth operational transitions during transformation and/or renewal phases, liaising between HO and LARO teams.
- Oversee the development and implementation of school site safety plans and facilities maintenance for 11 LA-based schools.
- Manage operational expenditures across the region, ensuring structures are aligned with strategic priorities and resources are efficiently allocated in coordination with the Home Office finance team.
Human Resources Leadership
- Manage the HR Director, ensuring policies and systems are aligned with Aspire LA’s strategic plan and in support of the LA region employees.
- Collaborate with the HR Director to meet all compliance standards, working in coordination with the HO HR lead.
- Work with HO and Regional HR to proactively address and mitigate employee inquiries and ensure that policies and actions are aligned with Aspire’s mission and values.
- Manage and monitor the credentialing process for teaching staff across the LA region schools, ensuring full compliance with California Department of Education (CDE) requirements.
- Lead efforts to track data on staff vacancies, attrition rates, and develop strategic hiring plans in collaboration with HR and the Executive Director.
- Oversee the Teacher Residency pipeline to ensure it is meeting key performance indicators (KPIs).
*Additional:
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must share Aspire Los Angeles’ commitment to dismantling systemic racism and integrating the three A’s (antiracism, academics, agency) into every aspect of the region’s educational system and their role. Proven track record of managing teams and change management.
- Knowledge of California state education laws, CDE compliance requirements.
Educational level:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, Business Administration, or related field.
- Master’s degree preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years of operational leadership experience, preferably in education or non-profit.
Physical requirements:
- Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
- Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
- Communicating with others to exchange information.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Work authorization requirements:
- Clear the Department of Justice background screening
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Provide health (TB) clearance (most update every four years)
Compensation: Starting at $110,000+