Chief Equity Officer

  • Full-time
  • Start Date: Immediate opening
  • Department: Regional Support and Leadership

Company Description

Please email cover letter and resume or nominations in confidence to: [email protected]  

Organizational Overview

In 2020, KIPP Eastern North Carolina (KIPP ENC) and KIPP Charlotte took the first steps to begin to merge to form KIPP North Carolina Public Schools (KIPP NC). Starting in July of 2021, KIPP NC will be a network of eight high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools providing an academically rigorous and joyous school experience to more than 3,500 students in grades K-12 in Charlotte, Durham, Gaston, and Halifax. Additionally, KIPP NC will support several thousand alumni on their journey to and through high school, college, and career.   

KIPP NC will build on a rich tradition of academic excellence and relentless fight for social justice present from the founding of both KIPP ENC and KIPP Charlotte. KIPP ENC is the second oldest KIPP region in the nation. In its 20 years of operation, KIPP ENC has been a cornerstone for students and families in rural Gaston and Halifax, operating two primary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Over the past five years, it grew to serve even more students by opening up a middle school in Durham, an urban center in the center part of the state. KIPP Charlotte, which grew out of the strong traditions and academics of KIPP ENC, has supported students and families for the past 13 years, operating one primary school and one middle school in the largest city in North Carolina.

KIPP North Carolina will build upon the successes and experiences of KIPP ENC and KIPP Charlotte to provide inclusive school environments and an educational program that will enable our students to lead full lives and equip graduates to be future leaders and agents of change in North Carolina and beyond. KIPP NC also will continue to engage in direct, anti-racist work, and it will contribute meaningfully to the dismantling of structures of inequality within our organization, schools, and classrooms. KIPP NC will be committed to expanding our efforts to embed anti-racism in all of our activities and engagements within our classrooms and schools, across our organization, and throughout the State of North Carolina. All of this will be in a tireless effort to create classrooms that are homeplaces for our students, places where they feel safe, loved, validated, seen, and heard, places where all their beautiful identities will be affirmed and celebrated, and places where they will learn the academic knowledge and skills needed for college, career, and beyond.

Job Description

Please email cover letter and resume or nominations in confidence to: [email protected]  

VISION FOR THE ROLE:

KIPP North Carolina (KIPP NC) recognizes the importance of continued investment in understanding how identities shape the organization’s approach to teaching and learning; how each individual experiences power and privilege; and that each staff member must continually develop cultural competence to best educate students and partner with families. KIPP NC recognizes that the work of equity and inclusion in a diverse, multi-site, student-facing organization is fundamental to its success and requires commitment from all.

KIPP NC will not outsource their equity and inclusion efforts to the Chief Equity Officer, but will look to them for leadership, alignment, support, and accountability.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Founding Chief Equity Officer will be an anti-racist, social justice advocate and relationship-oriented educator who will serve as the lead strategist responsible for shaping and guiding all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across KIPP NC. The Chief Equity Officer will partner closely with the Executive Director, regional and school-based leaders, and the Steering Committee—an organization-wide advisory group responsible for co-creating classrooms that are homeplaces for all students. Homeplaces are liberatory spaces where students feel safe, loved, validated, seen, and heard, places where all their beautiful identities will be affirmed and celebrated, and places where they will learn the academic knowledge and skills needed for college, career, and beyond.

As KIPP NC enters its final phase of merging KIPP Eastern North Carolina (KIPP ENC) and KIPP Charlotte, this is an exciting moment in the organization’s history to build upon each region’s successes and experiences to provide inclusive school environments and an educational program that will enable students to lead full lives and equip graduates to be future leaders and agents of change in North Carolina and beyond.

More specifically, the Chief Equity Officer is charged with the following key responsibilities:

Develop & Oversee Implementation of a 2025 Strategic Plan and 2030 Vision

  • Oversee the development and implementation of a strategic plan for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that is (1) rooted in the mission and vision for DEI, and (2) aligned with the strategic initiatives and priorities established by an organization-wide Steering Committee.
  • Understand the nuances of how a state-wide strategic plan is implemented in a school setting vs. the Regional Support Office setting.
  • Develop organizational scorecard and systems to collect input, analyze data (both qualitative and quantitative), and monitor/report on progress.
  • Manage relationships with external partners as needed to deliver training and support to achieve the DEI plan.

Support & Influence Colleagues to Operationalize DEI Vision:

  • Provide leadership, collaboration, and support to teammates to differentiate an organizational vision for DEI into role-specific actions and performance management/accountability systems; and to ensure that the DEI vision is infused into the DNA of the organization through its systems, tools, policies, structures, and practices.
  • Partner with Regional Leadership Team, Heads of Schools, and school-facing teams to support schools in closing achievement gaps.
  • Partner with Regional Leadership Team and the Chief Talent Officer to achieve zero gaps in promotion and retention of staff by race, ethnicity, and gender identity.

Serve as Trusted Advisor and Thought Partner to Colleagues:

  • Support and advocate for teammates who are being impacted by issues of equity and inclusion.
  • Champion a positive culture, including feedback and training for those who need to develop their skills and/or awareness of the impact they are having on others.

Communicate & Monitor Progress:

  • Develop consistent communication and feedback mechanisms to ensure KIPP NC can identify, discuss, and address equity issues impacting students, schools, and staff.
  • Stay abreast of research and best practice in equity and inclusion and infuse/adapt to KIPP NC.

Develop communication systems to share best practices, highlight bright spots, and keep staff apprised of key initiatives and activities.

Qualifications

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

The KIPP NC Chief Equity Officer will have a deep passion for DEI, justice and racial healing, strengths in cultural competence, strategic communication, problem solving, and team development. The individual will have a history of collaborating with diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve ambitious outcomes, an established track record of leading change management efforts, and an ability to influence others especially when no direct reporting relationship exists. Additionally, successful candidates will leverage data and excellent listening skills to shape their perspective and resulting programs and strategies.

Key Experiences include:

  • 10+ years of progressively responsible experience establishing DEI goals, meeting outcomes to close gaps across demographics and improving processes and systems to foster equity.
  • Dedication to both racial equity and improving the lives of kids from low-income communities; experience working within predominantly Black and Brown and low-income communities required.
  • Ability to build relationships and trust with leaders, teachers, students, families, and community.
  • A track record of leading, motivating, and developing diverse and high performing teams.
  • Exhibit decision-making abilities aligned to values rooted in high expectations, going above and beyond, and deep humility.
  • Experience creating DEI-focused curriculum and facilitating professional development, ideal.
  • Must live in North Carolina; Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, ideal.

Key Attributes Include:

  • Dedicated to the mission of KIPP NC and holds a fundamental belief in the potential of all students.
  • Possesses an unwavering commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an ability to serve as an exemplar for the organization’s values and foster an inclusive and respectful workplace.
  • A strong desire to collaborate with school leaders and Central Office teammates in service to a new KIPP region growing out of two exceptionally strong ones.

TRAVEL: Understanding and willingness to work in both rural and urban communities, including exhibiting resourcefulness and ability to travel up to five hours within North Carolina on multiple days per week based on need.

Additional Information

Compensation: Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT AND POLICY

KIPP North Carolina does not and shall not discriminate on race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, or status as a veteran in any of its activities or operations.              

Please email cover letter and resume or nominations in confidence to: [email protected]  

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