Interim Director of Campus Operations

Description

Position:   Interim Director of Campus Operations

Status:   Interim, Full-Time (Exempt)

FLSA:     Exempt

Schedule:  Operational Faculty

Reports to:     Head of School

Salary range:  $140,000 - 160,000/annually, depending on experience

Start Date:   March 1, 2026

About The Kehillah School

The Kehillah School is an innovative independent high school rooted in Jewish values and open to students of all backgrounds. Located in Palo Alto, CA, we are committed to academic excellence, inclusion, and student well-being. 

Position Summary

The Interim Director of Campus Operations provides leadership and oversight of the school’s physical campus and operational systems, ensuring that facilities, technology, and security functions support a safe, efficient, and mission-aligned learning environment. This role emphasizes continuity, stability, and high-quality day-to-day operations during a transitional period, while also identifying and implementing short-term operational improvements.

This role does not oversee Human Resources or business office functions but works collaboratively with those teams to support the school’s overall effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Campus Facilities & Grounds

• Oversee the daily operations and maintenance of all campus buildings and grounds
• Supervise facilities and maintenance staff and/or external vendors
• Manage preventive maintenance programs and work order systems
• Coordinate capital projects, renovations, and deferred maintenance as needed
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations
• Support space planning and campus logistics for academic and school programs

Technology & Systems

• Oversee campus technology infrastructure, including networks, hardware, and core systems
• Supervise IT staff or managed service providers
• Ensure reliable technology support for teaching, learning, and operations
• Partner with academic leadership on instructional technology needs
• Oversee data security, system reliability, and technology-related risk management

Campus Security & Safety

• Oversee campus security operations, personnel, and/or contracted services
• Maintain and update safety, emergency response, and crisis management plans
• Coordinate drills and safety training for faculty and staff
• Serve as a point of contact for campus safety issues and incident response
• Partner with local emergency services as appropriate

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the school’s leadership team during the interim period
• Work closely with the Head of School to ensure operational continuity
• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees on near-term and long-term strategy
• Collaborate with the business office on budgeting, purchasing, and capital planning (without direct financial oversight)
• Coordinate with HR on staffing logistics and compliance for operational staff
• Communicate clearly with faculty, staff, and vendors regarding campus operations

Why Join The Kehillah School?

The Kehillah School is a progressive, inclusive, and innovative independent high school that values creativity, intellectual curiosity, and community engagement. We provide a supportive teaching environment where educators are empowered to bring their expertise and passion into the classroom.

Diversity And Belonging

We believe our strength lies in our diversity and our commitment to creating spaces of belonging for all who join us. Through belonging, our students and faculty find themselves and others, recognizing the unique contributions each person can make to healing our world. Our belief in the interconnectedness and value of all human beings compels us to work individually and collectively towards equity and social justice. We are committed to building a society that appreciates and celebrates differences as well as a society that empathetically confronts the ways individuals, institutions, and systems have oppressed others based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and other aspects of identity. We believe that it is only by clearly understanding the past and the present of these dynamics that our community members will develop the capacity to help create a better future for all. We acknowledge that this work is ongoing and ever-evolving.

Compensation & Benefits

Kehillah offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development opportunities.

To apply: Submit your cover letter, resume, and a list of all previous school or educational institution employers, including city and state, in accordance with CA SB 848.

The Kehillah School is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Kehillah are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, ancestry, or any other status protected by Federal, State, or local laws or regulations. Kehillah will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics in the administration of its employment practices.

Requirements

Desired Skills & Experience

Must be able to provide verification of ability to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship and reside in the State of California at the time of hire.

Required

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in facilities, campus operations, or infrastructure management
• Experience overseeing technology systems and/or IT teams
• Knowledge of campus safety and emergency preparedness
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced school environment

Preferred

• Experience in an independent school or educational setting
• Familiarity with capital projects and vendor management
• Experience serving in an interim or transitional leadership role

Core Competencies

• Operational leadership and problem-solving
• Collaboration and relationship-building
• Calm, decisive leadership during transitions
• Strong attention to safety, systems, and detail
• Commitment to the school’s mission and community

Physical Demands and Work Environment The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to:

• Utilize close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, including the ability to adjust focus.Hear and speak to exchange information.
• Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time.
• Work in a traditional climate-controlled environment, occasionally outdoors, and remotely as determined by the School. 
• Navigate a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and diverse contacts which may at times be stressful.
• Occasionally lift up to 10 lbs.
• Have dexterity of hands and fingers to operate all office equipment including, but not limited to, computers, copy machines, and telephones.
• Travel safely and comfortably across a two-story, 50,000 sq. ft. campus several times in a workday.
• Sit and/or stand for extended periods of time.
• Turn, bend, kneel, crouch, or reach overhead to retrieve materials and may occasionally use a ladder.