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
  • Work with architects, stakeholders, and contractors to design, estimate budgets for, and complete all construction projects
  • Refine and manage project-related documents, including timelines, project plans, work requests, drawings, blueprints, and schematics
  • Collaborate with Trustees, senior leadership, and the Advancement Office to fundraise for select facilities projects
• Supervise the upkeep of school fleet vehicles (passenger cars, vans, and trucks), serve as purchasing agent to supplement or replace vehicles when warranted
• Develop and maintain resources and processes to support non-school uses on campus, such as club sports teams and especially at River Park where public uses will be commonplace

Personnel

• Convey, by coaching and direct action, a culture of accountability, collegiality, and continual professional growth
• Meet regularly with campus plant managers to prioritize and assign tasks, evaluate progress, and reinforce maintenance standards
• Serve as a guiding resource during the hiring process for new departmental employees, helping with candidate assessment, selection, onboarding, and training
• Support plant managers during difficult, performance-centered conversations with team members. Coordinate with Human Resources as necessary.

Special Events

• Evaluate event and facilities use requests for support issues, potential calendar conflicts, and resource needs
• Plan and execute the facilities components of various school events of all sizes and attendance levels, including assemblies, reunions, graduation, Homecoming/sporting events, and exhibits
• Participate in emergency preparation and decision-making as a member of school’s Crisis Response Team
• Liaise with the HW Parents association regarding their activities (e.g., events and meetings) on- and off-campus

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.

• Awareness of national trends and best practices in the field, especially in sustainability and building health, and experience adapting and bringing such practices to an institution like Harvard-Westlake
• Focus on customer service, developing and strengthening processes and systems to improve service delivery
• Strong leadership and management skills, including a proven ability to lead a team through change, build collaboration across an organization, and bring ideas and initiatives to fruition
• Excellent organization and follow-through, even while managing responsibilities that are subject to frequent or unexpected changes
• Ability to convey complex and nuanced concepts to a variety of audiences via crystal-clear written and verbal communication skills, including to stakeholders, senior school leadership, and the Board of Trustees
• Proven success in team building where trust and accountability are paramount

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:

• Top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero to low premium contributions
• 403(b) Retirement with a 10% match and immediate vesting
• Cafeteria allowance – lunch is on us!
• Professional development support including continuing education
• Personal Growth grants
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee affinity groups
• Mental wellness resources and workshops
• Partially subsidized employee housing (subject to availability)
• Tickets to local sporting and entertainment events
• Discount at school bookstore (get your HW swag!)
• More than 20 paid holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving week, Winter, and Spring breaks) plus vacation!

Salary : $180,000 - $230,000