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Operations Manager
The Island School
Operations
North Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Posted on Mar 28, 2026
The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in The Bahamas, was founded to create and support transformational educational experiences with the vision of leadership effecting change, on the island of Eleuthera. The diverse educational initiatives, including our High School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, Elementary Learning Center, and our Community Engagement and Partnerships, deliver unique educational journeys in conjunction with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research and sustainable development at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, our research and innovation hub. We are reimagining what education is for, and redesigning how education is delivered.
Job Summary
The Island School is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join the leadership team at our campus on Cape Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will be directly responsible for primary operational functions including, facilities and infrastructure, machinery and equipment, information technology, procurement and inventory, sustainable systems and future sustainable development.
The Chief Operating Officer will play an essential role in managing innovative sustainable systems, maintaining the essential infrastructure of our well-established island campus, and leading multiple teams of individuals in all aspects of our daily operations.
We are seeking a candidate who is a highly motivated, energetic and inspirational leader who can develop and manage sound processes for proactive operational strategy and preventative maintenance across a complex campus and set of systems as well as being a highly adaptable problem solver.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Leads in the development and implementation of an iterative, comprehensive infrastructure plan for the long, medium and short term that aligns with the School’s Mission and Vision.
- Initiates and drives the related Capital & Operating Expenditure budgets for the Annual and Three-Year Plan and makes any adjustments needed in consultation with the CEO and Finance Director.
- Maintains an existing sustainable infrastructure plant which includes solar and wind energy, rainwater collection, a marine science wetlab, waste management systems, and a permaculture farm.
- Develops and manages processes for preventative maintenance across a complex campus of sustainable systems.
- Problem-solves and creatively adapts operations to meet the needs of our community with limited access to resources on a remote island.
- Is able to successfully balance planned daily tasks while responding to unplanned immediate needs and ongoing requests.
- Works in partnership with the Director of Research and Innovation, the CEO and other organizational leaders to envision, implement, and maintain a sustainable campus infrastructure.
- Works with various sustainable design teams to develop safe, efficient, and effective projects from concept to testing to production while ensuring that they fall within budget.
- Prepares comprehensive budgets of all projects costs, including materials, costs of labor and time expended.
- Ensures a culture of safety and prioritizes individual and community well being in the process of daily operations. Scrutinizes the safety of the activities and work-site and ensures adherence to documented standards.
- Makes documented assessments of the safety standards every Quarter.
- Oversees all facilities, procurement, IT and other operational undertakings, ensuring that they are delivered on-time, in-full, on budget, and align with our sustainability values.
- Manages the facilities, engineering, farm and landscape, IT and Procurement teams and overseas training of new employees.
- Allocates resources effectively, including personnel, materials and time.
- Drafts reports and data analysis for review by the Boards, CEO and Department Heads as required.
Skills and Qualifications
- Extensive operational leadership experience in fast paced, client facing environments with high expectations of performance
- Strong organizational skills and a commitment to systematizing campus maintenance
- Knowledge of facility regulations and safety standards (OSHA, EPA, AD, CFC, NFPA)
- Strong project management skills
- Knowledge and experience with management and oversight of purchasing, inventory controls, supplies and equipment
- Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, general construction, woodworking and sustainable building practices a plus
- Strategic planning skills
- Ability to effectively manage people and productivity
- Financial management skills, for example, ability to analyze P&L statements, develop operation and utility budgets, forecasting and capital expenditure planning
- Ability to use standard software applications, including Google suite
- Ability to take constructive action aligned with the organization's priorities and values, without relying on directions from others
- Ability to exercise flexibility in order to accomplish goals
- Effective decision-making skills in order to minimize / manage risk (Risk Assessment)
- Strong problem-solving skills, encourages new innovative solutions when appropriate
- Strong communication skills ( verbal, listening, writing)
- Strong community and team member relation skills
- Emergency, EHS management, hurricane and disaster preparedness
- Familiarity with renewable energy systems, including solar and wind power and solar hot water maintenance and installation.
- Waterfront/ Marina/ Boat maintenance and management experience
Experience and Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience - A minimum of five years of operational experience at educational, research, non-profit or hospitality organizations with a progression of leadership positions. A minimum of two years experience in senior management or executive level position.
- Communication Skills – Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills. Ability to read and interpret documents. Ability to create publication quality text, write routine reports, correspondence etc. Effective at verbal communication in front of groups of staff or employees.
- Computer Skills – In-depth knowledge of the Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Fleetio or other fleet management tools.
- Adaptability – Able to survive and thrive in a small and tight-knit, international community located in a remote part of The Bahamas.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Access to dining hall for on-campus meals when available
- Medical insurance
- Life Insurance
- Dental reimbursement
- Paid Vacation
- Eligibility for matching retirement plan after two years of service
- Professional development opportunities
- Housing available for off island candidates
Application
Applicants should include the following in their application:
- Cover letter and personal statement.
- Current resume.
- Three references (to include name, telephone number and email address).
- Submit through our website: http://www.islandschool.org/careers
- Or, submit through our Hiring portal: https://ceis.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=133
Schedule
This is a full-time position with an annual review, and the potential for extension depending on circumstance. The Cape Eleuthera Island School and its related entities operate year round and working hours vary depending on needs. Evening and weekend work will be required. Special events will require periods of time outside of normal working hours when staff must be on site for extended periods. Given the degree to which this position is one of the most senior leaders of the organization, the successful candidate should expect, and desire to work a variable and mission driven schedule.
We are collecting applications until the position is filled.
We are a Bahamian equal opportunity employer, and preference will be given to suitably qualified Bahamians.