Chief Academic Officer

Washington, DC

Full Time

Academic

Experienced

Chief Academic Officer

Job Summary

The Chief Academic Officer is an integral part of the Executive team, leading KIPP DC’s high-performing academic leadership team, centered on achieving excellent results in student learning, achievement, and experience. The starting salary range for this role is $201,674 - $222,902. This is a full time, fully onsite role based at KIPP DC's headquarters with an anticipated start date of July 1st.

Reporting to the Superintendent, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) sets and drives the strategic vision and direction for the instructional and pedagogical work at KIPP DC. The CAO is the leader and champion of teaching and learning and the teams who support teaching and learning- our STEM, Literacy & Humanities, Student Support Services, Knowledge and Learning, and Extended Learning and Enrichment teams. The CAO invests stakeholders and ensures strong partnerships between the academic teams and schools. With a constant focus on results, the CAO emphasizes student voice and belonging, staff growth and development, authentic family engagement, and culturally responsive and affirming classrooms that are joyful and wildly productive. The leader in this role leads with transparency, drive, care, and humility.

About KIPP DC

By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools and two programs, 7,500 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

Location and Type of Work

As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support which requires this position to be fully on-site. This role is currently required to be on-site or in schools during regular work hours.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership (45%)
- Facilitate the academic team and schools to develop the strategic direction centered on student learning and experience; this includes implications for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and related student programs and services associated with teaching and learning.
- Lead the partnership between the senior academic leadership team and the schools’ team, in cooperation with the chief of schools, to work closely with principals and leadership teams to further develop and implement instructional programs and interventions designed to drive results.
- Lead and manage the senior academic leadership team which includes the leaders of the Student Support Team, Literacy & the Humanities, STEM, Knowledge & Learning and Extended Learning & Enrichment.
- Provide team facilitation, support, coaching, and thought partnership to direct reports, supporting them in their leadership of their respective teams.
- Sustain an equitable, collaborative, and achievement-oriented work environment that promotes authentic engagement of staff, families, and students.
- Steer the senior regional team through the annual budgeting process; manage the ongoing regional academic budget.
Academic Vision & Strategy (45%)
- Design and execute cohesive and integrated talent development and management systems for leaders, teachers and staff, including summer and school-year professional development and talent pipeline planning.
- Drive the implementation of the mission and vision of learning for
- Lead and sustain the design of an improved approach to engaging and informing families in their children’s learning and academic growth
- Drive data analysis and response of major areas of academics and school health, including but not limited to, student learning assessments of various forms, student surveys, and teacher surveys
- Stay abreast of assessment measures key assessment measures and the demands of those measures, especially as it relates to accountability, student achievement, and curriculum and instruction
- Conduct learning walks alongside regional team members and school principals to facilitate adult learning, assess progress, and set direction
- Manage academics-related operations systems via the Director of Academic Operations and ensure collaboration across the CAO team
- Manage and coordinate assessment calendars, coordinating with the data team; manage the academic team data manager to cohesively integrate data systems between academic team and schools
- Ensure compliance with all OSSE, PCSB, and other agency requirements as it relates to academic programming and regulations
- Support the superintendent to set and communicate the regional academic vision, priorities, strategy goals and execution plan, with the chief of schools
- In collaboration with the Superintendent and the Chief of Schools, ensure student academic achievement and outcomes across 20 schools and 2 programs through ongoing progress monitoring.
- In collaboration with the superintendent and chief of schools, set the vision for the fiscal plan as it relates to the academic team
- Drive outcomes in student learning and adherence to policy and regulations for our students with IEPs and multilingual learners
- Collaborate with the data team and superintendent to ensure sound and impactful internal and external reporting on data
- Oversee the design and implementation of structures related to One KIPP academic priorities
- Support the alignment and implementation of extended day, extended year, and out-of-school time resources as supplements to the core instructional program outcomes
- Collaborate with executive team leaders across functional teams to drive academic strategy and results
- Build and sustain meaningful methods for connecting school to families and families to schools
Communication & External Relations (10%)
- Represent KIPP DC in public and private forums, including state agencies and authorizers, to provide advocacy and amplify KIPP DC
- Build and maintain external partnerships that promote opportunities for KIPP DC’s regional academic team, school leaders, teachers, and students
- Target and support grant opportunities to benefit KIPP DC’s academic programming and professional development
- Coordinate and collaborate with the KIPP Foundation on initiatives and programs relevant to KIPP DC; where possible, participate in steering committees, etc.

Requirements & Preferences

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree required
10+ years of teaching and/or principal experience required
Minimum 3+ years of systems-level leadership required

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters Degree in education field
15+ years experience in urban schools
Experience managing large multi-layer teams in or supporting schools
Deep knowledge of and commitment to equity to drive student outcomes and achieve academic excellence
Experience with special education and/or multilingual education
School leadership experience
Strong cultural competency skills, including ability to communicate, work effectively, cultivate relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders
Passion for education reform and the belief that every child can succeed
Comfort with working in a fast-paced, nonprofit environment along with an outstanding ability to multi-task, prioritize, manage, and execute projects at a high level
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and an ability to take initiative, receive feedback, and seek out creative ideas
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Physical Requirements:

Ability to travel across campuses, schools and headquarters as needed

Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:

Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.

Benefits & Compensation [edited this section for your role]

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $201,674-$222,902. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
Currently, individuals in this role have up to 15 paid time off days, up to 10 paid sick days, and 12 paid holidays. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

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Join our team and help provide joyful, identify-affirming learning experiences that produce extraordinary outcomes for all students and alumni.

Questions or Tech Issues? Email the recruitment team at [email protected] with questions.

Chief Academic Officer

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