KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 255 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 3x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  The mission of KIPP Columbus is to create a system of schools where students develop the intellectual, academic, and social skills needed to understand and take action on issues they encounter in everyday life. 

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top five schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our second class of graduating high school seniors in the spring of 2021, 100% of students were accepted to college with over $20 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with more than 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy.  

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Superintendent, the Director of Communications & Development will be responsible for developing, implementing and executing the communications, marketing, and development plans for KIPP Columbus to support our growing campus and to support our collective mission.  Working closely with other KIPP Columbus leaders, the Director of Development and Communication will oversee KIPP Columbus’ content and messaging on current media channels including website, publications, social media accounts, crisis communications, internal communications and family communication, and organizational messaging. In addition they will establish processes and structures to manage fundraising efforts, including setting development goals, seeking grants and donations, and executing development events.  

The Director of Communications & Development will use their experience, creativity, cultural competency, and innovative spirit to provide communications and development campaigns to better connect all stakeholders (families, students, team members, community members, donors, and partners) in the KIPP Columbus community to further the KIPP Columbus mission. The Director of Communications & Development will directly manage the School Support Team Coordinator and will receive support from this position 30-50% of the time.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Communications

• Create and manage engaging communications pieces on multiple platforms and mediums consistent with the KIPP Columbus brand such as one pagers, newsletters, annual reports, press releases, videos, etc.
• Ensure internal communications are timely, consistent, and rooted in a scalable and sustainable strategic framework as KIPP’s team doubles in size in the coming years.
• Write executive communications using the voice of the Superintendent and the KIPP Columbus brand.
• Maintain brand consistency and graphic identity with a strong eye for visual design elements.
• Implement the KIPP Columbus crisis communications plan.
• Oversee the full KIPP Columbus website including the creation of an ongoing/year round update calendar and plan with support from various team members. 
• Manage the creation, design, and distribution of engaging and informative regional donor newsletters and other mass communications

Communication Strategy 

• Evaluate current internal and external communications strategies to understand norms, best practices, and opportunities with an eye towards a better and more efficient way to communicate.
• Manage communications projects that utilize third-party graphic designers, photographers, and video producers for design, marketing, PR and creative support services.
• Provide professional development and media training to KIPP Columbus leaders on the latest messaging to ensure aligned messaging across the organization. 

Development

• Develop, organize, implement, and manage all aspects of KIPP Columbus’ development plan to meet or exceed goals. 
• Develop and manage strategies and activities for ongoing and active cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation to maintain individual, corporate, and foundation donor relations and secure new donors.   
• Research grant opportunities for possible funding alignment, prepare grant proposals, and complete timely grant reporting, interfacing with the finance team and other teams as needed.
• Manage all aspects of development campaigns, end-of-year giving drive, and online fundraising campaigns
• Support any onsite event or tour to further the KIPP Columbus mission including but not limited to quarterly board meetings, partner visits, and sponsor visits. 
• Support the external work of the Superintendent -- this includes but is not limited to liaising with the KIPP Columbus government affairs team, attending external partner meetings, and other supports as needed.

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Public Policy,  English, or related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills; both written and verbal, with creative mindset and excellent technical skills within the Microsoft and Google Suites
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to meet ambitious and emergent deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and composure.
• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions.
• Experience with Wordpress and Adobe Creative Suite a plus

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off.  

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.