Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.
Located within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), the Office of Sports Administration (OSA) provides leadership and oversight for Chicago Public Schools’ districtwide interscholastic athletics program. OSA is committed to expanding equitable access to high-quality athletic opportunities that promote student engagement, academic achievement, leadership, teamwork, and lifelong connectedness and well-being. The department partners with schools, athletic directors, coaches, students, families, and community organizations to deliver safe and inclusive athletic programs. Through operational excellence and strategic collaboration, OSA supports schools in creating meaningful athletic experiences that contribute to the success of every student.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Business Operations of the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), the Senior Business Operations Specialist is responsible for administering the business operations that support districtwide athletic programmin g. This role administers the departmental budget, day-to-day financial management, workforce administration, procurement, contracts, payroll operations, project management, operational planning, and related compliance, and serves as a business advisor to the Executive Director of Sports Administration . This position plays a critical role in administering the operational infrastructure supporting districtwide athletics, including coaches, athletic directors, elementary athletic liaisons, sports announcers, officials, and other seasonal or stipend-supported staff. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
The Business Operations Administrator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
- Administers and supports business operations and initiatives, facilitating collaboration, managing timelines, resolving complex business issues, and developing and implementing sustainable solutions and processes aligned with departmental priorities for the Office of Sports Administration while promoting operational excellence, standardization, collaboration, and continuous improvement across departmental functions; May be required to supervise staff supporting business operations functions
- Collaborate with OSA’s leadership team to develop, monitor, and reconcile departmental budgets; analyze expenditures; prepare financial reports; and recommend strategies to maximize available resources and ensure fiscal accountability
- Collaborates with OSA’s leadership team and the Talent Office to coordinate recruitment, onboarding, position management, payroll coordination, and operational readiness of coaches, liaisons, game officials, announcers, scorekeepers, and other seasonal or stipend-supported staff: Ensures employees are timely onboarded, accurately compensated, and prepared to support district athletic programming
- Ensures stipend payments are submitted for approval and payment in a timely manner; Coordinates payroll administration, personnel transactions, resolves payroll discrepancies, and position management while ensuring compliance with District policies and guidance, collective bargaining agreements, and established payroll timelines
- Collaborates with central office partners and school leaders to administer and facilitate procurement activities, contractual agreements, vendor relationships, and Board approval processes, ensuring efficient and compliant business operations
- Collaborates with OCCS Data team to develop, analyze, and maintain operational dashboards, performance metrics, and business reports to support data-informed decision-making, resource allocation, and organizational performance
- Establishes, maintains, and documents standardized operating procedures, internal controls, and business processes that strengthen accountability, mitigate operational risk, and improve organizational effectiveness
- Serves as the primary business operations liaison between the Office of Sports Administration, central office departments, school leaders, athletic directors, and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination
- Other duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Business Operations Administrator must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required
- Master's degree is preferred
Experience Required
- Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience managing a budget and administering business operations (e.g., financial management, procurement, contracts, and workforce administration)
- Experience coordinating strategic projects requiring significant communication and change management efforts within a large or complex organization
- Experience using enterprise financial systems (E.g., Oracle)
- Experience in the education sector is preferred
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Knowledge of workforce administration, staffing processes, onboarding, payroll coordination, and operational readiness for full-time, seasonal, stipend-supported, and part-time employees
- Comprehensive knowledge of business operations, organizational administration, and operational best practices within a large, complex organization
- Knowledge of budget development, financial monitoring, forecasting, and expenditure management, with the ability to analyze spending trends, identify risks, and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds
- Knowledge of procurement, contracting processes, vendor management, and purchasing processes, with the ability to collaborate across functional teams to ensure timely acquisitions of goods and services that support organizational priorities
- Knowledge of project management principles, process improvement methodologies, and change management practices to support organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement
- Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously refine scalable operational procedures, guidance documents, business processes, and internal controls that improve efficiency, consistency, compliance, school-centered support, and organizational effectiveness
- Ability to interpret District policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, grant requirements, and operational guidelines and translate them into practical business processes for program staff
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate financial, operational, and workforce data; identify trends and risks; and recommend strategic solutions
- Demonstrated ability to lead multiple complex operational workstreams, balance competing priorities, influence stakeholders, and deliver high-quality results within critical deadlines
- Ability to establish trusted, collaborative partnerships across Finance, Budget, Procurement, Talent, Payroll, Law, Board Office, school leaders, executive leadership, community partners, and external stakeholders to achieve organizational goals and drive operational excellence
- Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, present recommendations, and build consensus across diverse teams.
- Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and a commitment to operational excellence, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
- Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
Benefits
Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
CPS Is Committed To Providing Comprehensive Health Coverage To Our Employees And Their Eligible Dependents. You'll Have Access To a Variety Of Choices To Best Fit Your Needs
Medical Plan Options
Pharmacy
Dental
Vision
Behavioral Health & EAP
Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:
Basic Life Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Pension Plans
Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:
Paid Leave
Sick Leave
Vacation Days
Parental Leaves
Short-Term Disability
Religious Holidays
Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
Posting Date
Aug 21, 2026, 2:57:57 PM
Primary Location
Central-2651 W Washington Blvd (CW Sports and Facilities Mgmt)
CPS Non-Union Job Grade
S08
Estimated Annual Salary Range
80,000.00
Position Type
Non-Union Position
Overtime Status
Exempt
