Chief Operating Officer

and the job listing Expires on August 20, 2026

St. Catherine’s School is an Episcopal day school for girls in Richmond, Virginia, founded in 1890 enrolling 950 girls in Early Learners (age 3) through grade 12. Located on a 16-acre campus in the western part of the city, St. Catherine’s core values include pursuing academic excellence, developing character, nurturing spiritual growth, celebrating individuals, and building community.

St. Catherine’s School provides a rigorous education that prepares girls with diverse perspectives for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service in a global community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

St. Catherine’s School seeks a committed, enthusiastic, and innovative Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO is responsible for providing tactical and strategic oversight, management, and planning of all aspects of the daily physical operation and maintenance of the school’s campus and programs. The COO is central in campus planning and will work closely with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees’ Buildings and Grounds Committee on initiatives related to the school’s aspirations for enhanced and expanded facilities, continued financial growth and stability, and strong community connections.

The COO has oversight over the Facilities Team, Transportation Team, Security Team, Dining Services, and Cleaning Services, including managing external service contracts and risk mitigation. The COO serves as the school’s General Contractor and manages all construction, renovation, and maintenance projects. Reporting directly to the Head of School as part of the Administrative Council, the Director works closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Division Heads, Director of Development, and other school leaders to fulfill the mission of the school. The COO should be an individual who embraces innovation and continuous improvement and relishes the challenge of finding ways to work smarter and more efficiently, all in support of ensuring the instructional staff and leaders can stay focused on teaching and learning.

Supervisor: Head of School

Supervisory Responsibilities: Operations Staff

Position Status: Salaried, exempt, full-time, regular, 12-months. Standard work week, 7:30AM – 4:30PM M-F. Occasional evening and weekend work and travel may be required.

Interested candidates should submit their resume outlining their qualifications and experience with a cover letter.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the smooth and successful daily running of the school’s campus and facilities.
• Provide strategic analysis and management of School operations by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data and metrics.
• Supervise and mentor the Managers of Facilities, Transportation, and Custodial and support their teams in their short-term and long-term projects.
• Perform contract negotiations and management for all major service providers (food service, housekeeping, grounds services, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with all codes and regulations governing the use, construction, maintenance, and improvement of the site and facilities.
• Foster, maintain, and manage relationships with State, City, and local community organizations and representatives.
• Lead the Safety and Security Planning Committee to support campus safety and risk management efforts, including oversight of the school’s campus safety equipment – video cameras, electronic doors, alarms, etc.
• Serve in a leadership role on the Emergency Response Team including physical safety emergencies, weather emergencies, and health emergencies as well as taking responsibility for designing and implementing fire-related protocols and drills, weather-related protocols and drills, campus lockdown procedures, and campus evacuation procedures.
• Collaborate with CFO and Head of School on the annual budget for operations, facilities, and transportation expenses and the School’s short-and long-term strategic operational models, including capital projects.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development in capital campaign planning and fundraising related to campus operations.
• Ensure support for managing special events held on campus.
• Manage all purchasing for FFE (Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment) for School operations.
• Provide logistical oversight for all major School events (program, advancement, facility rentals, etc.).
• Provide direction and guidance to the School community, for stewardship in resources, waste management, and energy management.
• Serve as the administrative liaison to the Buildings and Grounds committee of the Board of Governors and attends Board meetings.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and other senior administrators by providing tactical and strategic leadership regarding personnel management and staffing, including hiring and human resources support.
• Serve as a risk mitigation leader, working closely with the health team, insurance and legal representatives.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
• Serve on the Head of School’s Executive Leadership Team.

The ideal candidate is a thoughtful listener and detail-oriented team player who is able to prioritize competing tasks. An ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and vendors, both orally and in writing, is essential. Professionalism, a positive outlook, and a “can do” approach are highly valued. We seek a data and outcomes-driven colleague who enjoys being part of a highly collaborative team, with a commitment to the School’s mission.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of senior-level management experience
• Ability to think and plan strategically and creatively
• Strong understanding of financial systems, capital management, and budgeting
• Excellent communication skills: written, oral, and presentation
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Experience in the development of analysis for strategic decision-making, such as key cost drivers, competitive analysis, market analysis, and organizational strengths and weaknesses
• Proficient knowledge of relevant software applications and technological platforms
• Ability to supervise, manage, and delegate multiple functions and activities
• Ability to work collegially in a diverse and lively independent school setting
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, parents, and trustees

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in school operations

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• Competitive annual salary
• Generous health and dental insurance plans
• Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Employer funded 403(b) to employer matching contributions
• Tuition remission (65%) for up to two children
• Generous vacation and sick leave

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to handle and feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; talk and hear; engage in moderately strenuous physical activity both indoors and out; and smell. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to become CPR and First Aid Certified.

TRAVEL

Occasional overnight and out-of-area travel may also be required for conferences or special events.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

St. Catherine’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its hiring practices. St. Catherine’s School is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment. We actively engage students, families, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our School community respects the differences in ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Consistent with the School’s mission, St. Catherine’s fosters in our students, and expects from all others, respect for the dignity and wholeness of every person. For more information about the school’s Access, Equity and Belonging please follow this link –belonging .

CONDITIONAL OFFERS

An offer of employment for this position is contingent upon the applicant’s right to work in the United States, authorization for and completion of successful background checks as may be requested by the school or required by law.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their resume outlining their qualifications and experience with a cover letter.

Note: This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work to be performed by employees within this classification. This position description should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required or assigned to an employee in this position. Nothing contained in this position description restricts St. Catherine’s School’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

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