Freedom Preparatory Academy

Chief of Staff

ABOUT US

Freedom Prep Academy Charter Schools, a Memphis-based network, prepare all students in grades Pre-K through 12 to excel in college and in life. Freedom Preparatory Academy opened in August of 2009 with a class of 96 6th graders. We now serve over 2400 students in Grades PK-12. Our students have consistently exceeded local and state averages in math and local averages in English language arts on the state exam. We have plans to expand our network across the South with our first expansion state being Alabama.

We have three core beliefs that drive our mission: Every child deserves the right to a high-quality public education, a foundation in character development is essential, and direct exposure to an array of opportunities and experiences provides each child with the self-confidence and social knowledge to compete globally. We will accomplish our mission through a highly structured, academically rigorous environment where students will master the core subjects, develop advanced academic skills, and demonstrate the school’s core values of: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Chief of Staff will play an integral role in the organization and will work closely with senior leaders to drive the creation of an annual plan leading to the success of our strategic plan goals. Additionally, the Chief of Staff will work with the CEO in the overall day-to-day management of the board and senior leaders, creating a healthy culture for Freedom Prep's Executive Team. Finally, the Chief of Staff will work with the CEO in all aspects of running and representing the organization both internally and externally. We are looking for an educational leader who is motivated by innovation and collaboration to make a lasting positive multigenerational change in our communities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual Strategic Planning and Execution

• Plan and execute a process to engage all key stakeholders in an annual strategic planning process
• Work with leaders of each strategic plan goal to create an annual plan to achieve goal
• Combine all goals to create one master annual plan for organizational leadership, including dashboard(s) for monitoring progress towards goals and quarterly business reviews

Strategic Confidant for CEO

• Push CEO on strategic thinking for organization, prepare CEO direct reports for 1:1s, ensuring strategic planning and thinking ahead of time
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team

Senior Leaders Collaboration

• Successfully lead key leadership meetings by tactical, strategic and on/offsite meetings for senior leaders.
• Set cadence and agendas for daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly meetings
• Maintain and build culture and environment with Senior Leaders and Support Team
• Lead support team cultural aspects to ensure development of healthy team through leading regular team events

CEO Communications to Freedom Prep Network

• Create regular email and in person communications and schedule for CEO to ensure connection to all staff and needs of organization aligned with annual calendar and tied to annual goals
• Board relations and communications
• Serve as one of the primary points of contact for board members, prepare and run board meetings, with help of development team, Chief External Affairs Officer, and CEO
• Set annual calendar for board meetings to review metrics aligned with strategic plan goals

People and All Hands on Deck Management

• Successfully directly manage 1-3 direct reports to successfully meet strategic plan goals
• Hold high standards for project management while empowering others to proactively and creatively problem-solve, and model versatility and collaboration for the organization
• Step in and strategize to meet organizational gaps or needs

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of work experience with 3 years of supervisory and management experience, preferably in a large, dynamic, mission-driven organization
• Proven management skills in establishing a team- and goal-oriented environment that empowers staff through active communication and delegation and that builds confidence, promotes diversity of thought, and celebrates achievements with an approach to management that leads by example, bringing out the best in staff and yielding pride, ownership, and a sense of team effort
• Sound knowledge and practice of organizational development (ideally in the charter landscape)
• Highly flexible and comfortable with change, growth, and possibility
• Skilled collaborator, communicator, and relationship-builder
• A proactive self-starter with the ability to multitask, establish and rearrange priorities, and maintain focus in a fast-paced environment

Demonstrated ability to:

• Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Make hard decisions rooted in vision, values, best practice, and stakeholder input
• Lead multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously
• Develop strategic plans, and empower others to achieve them
• Motivate, excite, and educate both internal and external resources to support our work in helping our Freedom Prep students prepare and excel in college and in life
• Manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop productive working relationships with diverse individuals and groups
• Demonstrated commitment to the educational mission, vision, and goals of Freedom Prep
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred

REPORTS TO Chief Executive Officer

PTO POLICY Support Based Administrative

HOW TO APPLY: We are excited to review your application! Please visit our Join Our Team page to learn more and apply directly at our Apply Now link on the same page. Upon creating your profile, please submit your resume, references, transcript, screening reflections, and related credentials. It should take less than 30 minutes to upload your application.