Director of Operations

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Harvard-Westlake has an immediate opening for its Director of Operations, the senior-most individual in charge of facilities maintenance, capital improvements, and event support. The position's oversight extends to two campuses covering 35 acres, outsourced janitorial, groundskeeping, security, and culinary services, and 500,000 square feet of interior space among more than 25 buildings. The school is constructing a 17-acre third campus (called River Park), slated to open in Fall 2026, for which this position will have operational responsibility. The school owns twelve single-family residences and two apartment buildings for employee housing, maintenance of which also falls under the purview of this position.

Performing these responsibilities, the Director of Operations supervises an extensive team of facilities employees, consisting on each campus of a plant manager, assistant plant manager, administrative assistant, and approximately eight facilities team members (i.e., over 30 direct and indirect reports).

To succeed in this role, one must have extraordinarily strong leadership and planning qualities, a keen eye for detail, and be comfortable in campus environments that are heavily programmed, subject to frequent change, but second to none in their support of the school's mission.

The Director of Operations collaborates regularly with the senior administrative team, faculty and staff departmental leadership, and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.

Responsibilities

Areas of responsibility for the Director of Operations consist of, but are not limited to, the following. Notwithstanding these items, a successful facilities leader for Harvard-Westlake will also seek to immerse themself in the daily life of the school, to experience what differentiates and defines us, and thereby tailor the use and operation of our campuses accordingly.

Facilities Maintenance

• Establish, and ensure implementation of, maintenance standards and protocols, including compliance with health, safety, fire, ADA, and building code requirements as per all state, county, and city laws, ordinances, and regulations
• Oversee and lead the facilities, security, clerical, and food service functions (cafeteria and catering) across all campuses, ensuring a clean, safe, and welcoming environment
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational priorities with the school's mission, goals, and needs
• Coordinate staffing and team coverage for school activities that often begin early in the morning and extend into evenings and weekends
• Communicate and uphold operating conditions of approval, as codified via Conditional Use Permits from the City of Los Angeles
• Work closely with the Business Office to create an annual facilities operating budget, assess the adequacy of and potential drawdowns from designated financial reserves due to major projects, recommend cost savings measures, and maintain budgetary compliance
• Direct an external property management company in the maintenance of the school's apartment buildings, providing seamless assistance to residents and a peaceful / enjoyable living environment
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and purchasing with vendors, suppliers, and tradespeople servicing all school-owned properties (campus and residential)
• Help operationalize the school's River Park campus in late 2026, hiring necessary staff and aligning culture and practices with existing campuses
• Exhibit a sensibility for providing first-class customer service and attention to detail, while also balancing costs, demands on the team, and wear-and-tear of facilities
• Capital improvements

Meet regularly with Division and Department Heads to understand potential campus improvements, major renovations and remodels, and other capital expenditures

Personnel

Special Events

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor's degree and relevant professional certifications. A minimum 10 years of relevant work and leadership in facilities management is required.

About Harvard-Westlake School

We are an independent school consisting of two campuses, soon to be three, located in Los Angeles, California. We have approximately 1,600 curious, thoughtful, and inspiring students enrolled in grades seven through twelve, 325 full-time employees, and more than 400 part-time employees.

We are committed to creating a community of belonging and actively strive to be a diverse and inclusive community. We do not discriminate on any basis. We seek candidates who demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members; have the ability to work flexibly, independently, and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds; and have the capacity to serve as a model of openness, generosity, and acceptance.

Compensation : Estimated base compensation for this role is $180,000 - $230,000, depending on experience.

Great benefits we offer :

Salary : $180,000 - $230,000