Job Description: Operations and Compliance Manager

You will be doing the most meaningful work of your career as you join the forefront of urban education on the bright, talented, and relentlessly committed team at the Jackson Charter School. You will empower and inspire; change lives; shape the world.

The Operations and Compliance Manager is key to the success of Jackson Charter School. This position will report directly to the Executive Director as an exempt employee.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The Operations and Compliance Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the school operates effectively, ethically, and within the bounds of all applicable laws and regulations. This position provides oversight of school-wide compliance functions across financial operations, human resources, educational regulations, transportation, food services, health and safety, and data protection. The Manager supports the development and implementation of policies and internal controls, monitors risk, conducts audits, and ensures the school maintains a safe, equitable, and fiscally responsible environment. Acting as a central point of contact for compliance-related matters, the Operations and Compliance Manager works collaboratively with internal departments and external agencies to uphold organizational integrity.

Compliance Monitoring & Oversight

1. Ensure the school adheres to local, state, and federal regulations, as well as charter authorizer and board policies.

2. Track regulatory updates and lead policy revisions as needed.

3. Conduct internal audits, investigate concerns, and support corrective action plans.

Program Development & Risk Management

4. Develop and implement comprehensive compliance programs and protocols.

5. Identify organizational risks and develop mitigation plans in collaboration with leadership and department heads.

6. Support school leaders with compliance-related components of strategic planning.

Financial Oversight

7. Oversee budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and financial planning, analysis, and record-keeping.

including investment management.

8. Ensure compliance with public funding regulations and accounting standards.

9. Collaborate with auditors and manage grant compliance and reporting requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

10. Partner with Accounting and Human Resources on Payroll and Payroll taxes, timekeeping functions and approval, Background Checks, Onboarding, Benefits & Work Comp.

11. Partner with IT, Contractors, and other departments to ensure all compliance requirements are understood and fulfilled.

12. Partner with Facilities regarding building compliance – considerations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Police and Fire Dept.; Building Codes.

13. Partner with IT on badge systems, keys, website, access points, servers, email, and security systems.

14. Assist in ensuring school compliance in areas such as health and safety, employment law, and data privacy.

15. Serve as a liaison to regulatory bodies and external partners.

Training & Communication

16. Provide training and ongoing education for staff on compliance-related topics, policies, and legal obligations.

17. Communicate policy updates and ensure staff understanding and engagement with compliance processes.

Documentation & Reporting

18. Maintain accurate records of all compliance activities, including audits, trainings, and investigations.

19. Prepare regular reports for school leadership, authorizers, and other external agencies as required.

Other Duties

20. Monitor and ensure compliance with transportation regulations, including student eligibility, routing, reporting, and vendor coordination.

21. Oversee food service compliance, including inventory management, meal counting and claiming, application management and adherence to local, state, and federal nutrition and safety guidelines in accordance with Illinois State Board of Education.

22. Serve as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer (certification required)

23. Review and approve vendor contracts.

24. Pursue the vision and execute the mission of the school.

25. Ensure the highest quality educational experience for all students.

26. Ensure the educational development of all students.

27. Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLC), and other job training in order to enhance ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

28. Comply with all relevant school policies and procedures.

29. Ensures that all administrative actions are in concert with the Rockford Charter School Board policies as well as the mission statement, beliefs, objectives, and parameters found in the Board’s strategic plan.

30. Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.