KIPP KC is part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools with a track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and in life.  

Together with families and communities, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools works to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence they need to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. We are a Pre-K through 12th grade school located in the historical 18th and Vine District. We are part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools with a track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in life. KIPP KC opened its first school, KIPP Endeavor Academy, in 2007 with approximately 31 fifth grade students. Today, KIPP Kansas City has grown to serve students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade and is currently educating approximately 1,000 students.

ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE

KIPP KC seeks a strategic leader with a track record of results in improving outcomes for students to serve as the region’s next Executive Director. This leader will be integral in enhancing and operating high-performing public schools that confront educational inequity. In this role, the Executive Director will refine and execute a strategic plan and vision to lead and manage a region of joyful and academically excellent K12 KIPP schools that prepare students for college and life. 

Reporting to the KIPP KC Board of Directors, the Executive Director is accountable directly to that Board and indirectly to the KIPP Foundation for the region's performance and alignment with KIPP network standard practices. Externally, the Executive Director is the region’s top champion, advocate, and fundraiser in partnership with the regional development team. To support the region’s schools, the ED builds and manages KIPP KC’s Regional Office team and direct reports, including: Head of Schools, Head of Talent, Managing Director of Finance and Reporting, and Managing Director of School Operations. An outstanding leader, the Executive Director is deeply aligned with the KIPP’s values and beliefs in high achievement and character development for all learners and rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who relentlessly and fearlessly pursues a more equitable education system to meet the needs of KC students. This person will leverage their executive management skills and vision to inspire bold education reform and act with thoughtfulness and urgency.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

As the leader of KIPP KC, the Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the high quality, strategic growth, and operational sustainability of KIPP KC schools and its regional office. To do so, an Executive Director’s key responsibilities include:

Develop, implement, and uphold a region-wide, inspirational, and compelling vision that offers a truly transformational education and environment for student success in college and life:

• Partner with the regional leadership team, local Board, and key external partners to develop a strategic vision and implementation plan to accomplish it;
• Set clear multi-year academic, financial, people, and operational goals and manage to them; 
• Partner with KIPP Foundation to implement shared national network strategy and KIPP model in KIPP KC; and
• Ensure that KIPP KC has a viable, long-term, and sustainable financial plan and a sustainable funding base; manage development efforts to meet ambitious annual goals by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting public, individual, and foundation sources of giving so that schools are maximizing all public revenue sources.

Builds, retains, and manages a diverse, high-performing regional team that can support schools in their drive to deliver transformational educational outcomes for students and alumni

• Build, develop, and retain the regional team by championing a strong, joyful, cohesive culture that reflects KIPP KC’s values and leads to a strong and aligned regional identity;
• Enhance and support strong and consistent accountability systems to ensure academic and regional progress toward shared goals; promote transparent decision-making processes and embrace distributive leadership principles; obtain excellence in regional operations ( i.e., budget planning, compliance, human resources, facilities management, fundraising, and information technology);
• Ensure the regional team operates in a fair, transparent, student-focused, and client-focused manner when supporting and interacting with schools; and 
• Manage strong public transparency systems, including public compliance and internal and external reporting.

Ensure KIPP KC schools meet all requirements needed for long-term sustainability and public compliance. 

• Manage the Head of School; Provide oversight of academic and school culture vision and priorities; oversee the implementation and alignment of high-quality curriculum, assessment, data management, and other academic systems across the region; oversee the development and implementation of updated school culture systems that will lead to a joyful school culture for students, staff and families
• Manage the Managing Director of Finance and Reporting and support this individual in the management and oversight of all financial and business planning activities
• Ensure compliance systems, staffing, and tools are in place for annual and charter cycles such that KIPP KC fully complies with federal, state, and local legal and regulatory requirements, with no misses that damage student and staff welfare, financials, ability to operate and grow, or reputation
• Evaluate and create new systems, procedures, and policies to ensure the organization is operationally and financially sound through its growth 
• Manage the Head of Talent; Provide strategic oversight to talent acquisition, staff development, and staff retention strategies to ensure KIPP KC is attracting, supporting, and retaining excellent talent.

Serve as a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) within KIPP KC and the community:

• Establish and lead a DEI vision of excellence in partnership with the regional and school leadership team that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion alongside high achievement and character development for all learners;
• Integrate a DEI lens in every aspect of KIPP KC, from curriculum development and leadership development to compensation and beyond.
• Foster a culture of continuous self- and team-learning, feedback, and best practices in DEI.

Build and maintain relationships with key constituents to ensure mutual strategic support that advances KIPP KC and the broader education community

• Serve as the public face of KIPP KC;
• Build coalitions, relationships, and partnerships with key stakeholders, including the board of directors, parents, donors, community members, political organizations, and the state department of education, in support of the organization's mission and goals; engage and manage relationships with elected officials and public sector partners to support the advancement of KIPP KC as a key partner in the region's educational system in the region; and
• Demonstrate leadership as a member of KIPP's national network by fully engaging as a member of the KIPP Executive Director community; ensure key regional constituents are kept fully informed on key developments and national KIPP initiatives.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

Required

• Experience as a senior leader in the education sector  working with children from low-income backgrounds to achieve exceptional academic results, sports, the arts, community service, etc.
• A proven track record of success in building and/or managing a complex organization or enterprise (e.g., a high-performing school or network of schools, a successful non-profit or for-profit organization)
• Experience working with stakeholders, staff students and community members of color 
• A proven track record of leading equitably and inclusively with an understanding of how to build a strong student and adult culture
• Experience leading teams through periods of change management 

 Highly Preferred

• Experience leading a high-performing school serving children from low-income communities 
• Experience inspiring and influencing diverse stakeholders toward a shared vision and unified goals
• Currently resides or has familiarity with Kansas City, including the political, educational, and philanthropic landscape
• Experience raising funds from a variety of revenue sources
• Experience working with board management 

 KEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPETENCIES

Successful regions are led by Executive Directors who demonstrate the following beliefs and possess the following qualities. Executive Directors are expected to lead with high proficiency in various diversity, equity, and inclusion competencies, such as understanding implicit bias, continuous learning, managing group dynamics, etc.

• Set Vision, Drive Results - Demonstrated experience developing a clear and compelling vision and driving results, individually and through others
• Culture and Mission-Aligned - Culture and mission-aligned to the belief that all children can achieve at high levels and can demonstrate exceptional personal character; operate with a sense of humility and a growth mindset
• Lead for Racial Equity - Possesses the mindset to recognize race/power dynamics playing out within an organization with the ability to interrupt those inequities
• Ability to Inspire and Influence - Ability to inspire and influence diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to families, donors, community partners, etc., towards a unified vision
• Effectively Manages and Develops People - Effectively manages and develops people and invests in the leadership development of others
• Provides Instructional Leadership - Ability to serve as the regional instructional leader who is responsible for partnering with the Heads of Schools in setting the regional academic vision and goals

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The compensation package includes a relocation bonus and medical, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits.

To Apply

We are committed to hiring a diverse, multicultural leadership team and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds. Please apply online. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Please click here to apply for this position.