Director of Operations

SCALE: Administrator
CONTRACT: 12 Month Schedule
SUPERVISOR: Chief Financial Officer

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of the school's physical plant and operational services. This includes master planning, facilities maintenance, life-cycle cost management, and capital improvement projects, as well as campus operations such as facilities, transportation, maintenance, food services, parking, security, occupational safety and plant-related risk management. The Director ensures compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements, proactively identifies and mitigates operational risks, and develops crisis readiness plans to safeguard students, staff, and visitors. This role collaborates closely with senior leadership, external partners, and internal teams to deliver efficient, safe, and sustainable operational solutions that support the school's mission and strategic objectives. Key responsibilities also include managing vendor relationships, overseeing system updates, conducting staff training, and leading the internal risk management committee. The Director plays a critical role in emergency preparedness, including evacuation procedures, campus logistics, and security protocols, ensuring the school remains ready to respond effectively to any operational or safety challenge.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Planning & Facilities Management

• Serve as the primary internal lead for the TAS Master Plan, coordinating with external firms and ensuring timely execution of projects in alignment with strategic goals.
• Develop and maintain dashboards with measurable KPIs to monitor facilities performance and communicate progress to leadership.
• Oversee all facilities operations, including maintenance schedules, cleaning, capital projects, and life-cycle planning, to ensure optimal functionality and safety.

Maintenance & Operational Oversight

• Direct the campus maintenance program, ensuring timely repairs and preventive maintenance to support academic and extracurricular programs.
• Implement and monitor maintenance schedules and operational workflows to guarantee compliance with safety standards and efficiency benchmarks. 

Risk Management & Crisis Preparedness

• Co-lead the Risk Management Committee with the CFO and maintain the school's risk registry.
• Design and execute a comprehensive risk management program addressing plant, operational, and compliance risks under Taiwan and U.S. law.
• Develop and maintain crisis readiness plans, including emergency communication protocols, evacuation procedures, and security measures.
• Oversee the facilities, security and occupational safety departments. 

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Collaborate with the CFO in preparing annual and long-range operating and capital budgets.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure cost-effective resource allocation across all operational areas. 

Transportation & Food Services

• Lead the transportation program, focusing on safety, service quality, and efficient routing.
• Oversee food service operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, nutritional quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop strategic plans and dashboards with objective and sentiment-based KPIs for both programs. 

Event & Logistics Support

• Provide operational and set up support for school events and external competitions on school grounds, including logistics planning and risk mitigation.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of laws, regulations, and best practices impacting school operations, particularly in safety and compliance.
• Foster collaborative relationships across departments and demonstrate strong team leadership.
• Participates in the Administrative meetings and collaborates with administrative team.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Head of School and/or CFO.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Advanced degree in Operations Management, Facilities Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 8–10 years of proven leadership experience in operations within an educational or complex institutional setting.
• Expertise in facilities planning, risk management, and compliance.
• Extensive experience in financial planning, analysis, and administration of large-scale operating budgets.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Native-level English fluency; bilingual ability in Mandarin would be a plus.
• Proficiency in operational systems, data analytics, and project management tools.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references through the online link below. Please note that direct applications via email or other channels will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as Taipei American School reserves the right to close the selection process at any time. 

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