School Launch Project Lead

POSITION: School Launch Project Lead (Founding Middle Grades of a K-8) TYPE: School-based LOCATION: Tacoma, WA SALARY: $99,291 - $118,662 annualized based on aligned years of experience up to 9 years STATUS: Full time school year, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position START: December 1, 2026 - Half a year prior to school opening for the 27-28 SY REPORTS TO: CEO or their designee

Who You Are

• You have a strong belief in and are deeply committed to Impact Public Schools' mission and educational model, focused on closing the opportunity gap and preparing diverse students for college success and community impact.
• You are an analytical and strategic operations leader with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, acute attention to detail, and a passion for building systems from the ground up.
• You excel at complex problem-solving, logistics, and project management, especially in a start-up or founding environment.
• You possess strong communication and management skills, the ability to analyze data and information quickly, and excel at designing, implementing, monitoring, and refining systems that ensure organizational efficiency for a successful school launch.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment, believing in the power of teamwork, but are also highly effective working independently and flexibly to meet founding year goals.
• You are excited by the challenge of establishing the operational foundations necessary to support the delivery of rigorous and engaging content to founding 6th and 9th-grade scholars.
• You align with Impact Public Schools’ core values (Bold Ambitions, Brave Solidarity, Team WA, Everyone Grows, Play Big, Intention) and share an unwavering belief that every child, regardless of identity or needs, can thrive and achieve ambitious goals.
• You possess the ability and desire to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and sometimes unpredictable start-up environment.
• You bring maturity, humility, a strong work ethic, a sense of humor, and a proactive, "roll-up-your-sleeves" attitude essential for a founding team member.
• You are enthusiastic about joining and shaping a growing organization from its foundational year.

Core Job Functions (Year Zero Focus) Founding Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Serve as a key member of the school's leadership team, driving the strategic planning and execution of all operational aspects necessary for a successful school launch.
• Partner strategically with the Commencement Bay Leadership Team & IPS Home Office to adapt, develop, implement, and refine scalable operational systems and procedures specifically for the new middle and high school context.
• Take full ownership of achieving ambitious pre-launch operational goals and metrics.
• Model and champion all IPS Core Values in daily actions and decision-making.

Systems Building & Launch Preparation

• Evolve and implement core school operational systems and processes, including but not limited to: student recruitment and enrollment, student information systems, scheduling, attendance tracking, family communication structures, safety protocols, and emergency procedures. Including supporting currently enrolled scholars and families to matriculate to Commencement Bay K-12.
• Lead the procurement process: source and order all necessary furniture, equipment, technology, curriculum materials, and classroom supplies for the founding year.
• Establish relationships and contracts with essential service providers (e.g., food services, transportation, facilities maintenance, security), ensuring readiness for school opening.
• Develop and manage the school's initial supply and asset inventory systems.
• Plan and manage the setup of the physical school campus, coordinating with facilities teams and vendors to ensure a welcoming, safe, and functional learning environment by opening day.
• Support the development and implementation of school site testing procedures.

Administration & Compliance (Pre-Launch)

• Work with the Principal and IPS Home Office to develop and manage the school’s start-up and first-year budget, tracking expenditures and participating in financial planning.
• Establish systems for managing purchase orders, processing invoices, and tracking payments.
• In partnership with the Home Office, ensure all operational plans and setups adhere to federal, state, and local compliance requirements.
• Support the Principal and People Team in establishing processes for staff onboarding.
• Develop systems for maintaining accurate student records from the point of enrollment.

Team & Community

• Hire, onboard and manage founding team members as the school grows closer to launch.
• Act as a key operational point person for founding families during the pre-launch phase.
• Collaborate with the Principal and instructional leaders to ensure operational systems effectively support the academic program.
• Support the current elementary school with day to day operations to learn the IPS structures, existing systems, and current families.

Other duties as assigned

(Post-Launch Transition: Note - Responsibilities will evolve post-launch to include daily operational management, overseeing functions like daily attendance, meal programs, transportation logistics, event execution, facilities management, etc. )

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 2-4 years general management and/or school operations experience
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and managing systems and processes.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters in Business, Public Administration, Education, or related field
• Previous start-up experience and/or experience in a high-performing school
• Ability to speak Amharic, Spanish, Somali, or Tigrinya
• Personal and professional experience in and around the Puget Sound area
• Experience working in a middle or high school setting.
• Experience managing budgets and procurement.
• Familiarity with student information systems and other school-based technology.

License / Certification

• Must have or be eligible to obtain a food handler certification

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds) with occasional heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds). The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Work is primarily inside but has daily responsibilities outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather).

Non-negotiables

• Offer is contingent upon passing a fingerprint and background check
• Complete SafeSchools trainings
• Provide academic transcript

What We Offer

• Competitive pay and generous paid time off package including paid holidays, vacation and personal time;
• Eligible employees can access our earned wage program through myFlexPay;
• Medical, dental, vision, long-term disability benefits;
• Retirement account with employer contributions;
• Free mental health support + more through our employee assistance program;
• Growth pathways for increased levels of leadership.

Equal Employment Opportunity Impact Public Schools is committed to providing a work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. Click here to review Impact’s Employee Non-discrimination Policy for Impact Schools.

Non-Discrimination Statements Impact Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Click here to review Impact’s designated leaders responsible to handle all questions and complaints of alleged discrimination at each of Impact’s schools.