KIPP DC
Deputy Chief for School Transformation
Academic - Washington, DC - Full Time
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Deputy Chief for School Improvement
Job Summary
The Deputy Chief for School Transformation at KIPP DC is a change agent. The person in this role will serve as a key leader in driving systemic change and enhancing educational outcomes at schools within our network. This role involves collaborating with regional leaders and school leaders to drive and implement effective improvement strategies grounded in data analysis and best practices. The Deputy Chief of School Transformation will provide targeted support and coaching to schools identified by the Superintendent, Chief of Schools, and Chief Academic Officer and promote excellence and equitable practices. By building strong partnerships with school and regional leaders, cross-functional team leaders, families, students, and community stakeholders, this leader will ensure that all students have access to high-quality educational resources and opportunities for success. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven track record in educational leadership, a commitment to KIPP DC's mission, and a passion for creating transformative learning environments.
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.
About the team
The Deputy Chief for School Transformation serves as an important member of the Chief of Schools (COS) team, which is composed of the senior instructional leaders at KIPP DC who support schools and school leaders. It’s this team that leads the exciting work to execute upon the vision for student learning and experience across our PK-12 schools. The COS team analyzes and sets strategy around achievement outcomes and culture data, supports school leaders, collaborates across functional teams, plans professional development for school staff, and drives student learning outcomes.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Chief of Schools, the Deputy Chief for School Transformation is an integral member of the academic leadership team. This leader is a champion for schools, teaching and learning, school leaders, and our staff. They will work within the academic team and cross functionally to drive transformational outcomes for students and staff. With a constant focus on results, the Deputy Chief for School Transformation 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.
As a senior leader, this position must also ensure adherence to established internal control policies and procedures and maintain compliance within the organization.
This is an exempt position and will report to the Chief of Schools.
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
Visionary Leadership & Data-Driven Strategist for School Transformation (80%)
- Establish and execute upon a clear vision for school transformation of select schools, that aligns with KIPP DC’s mission, strategic objectives, and values in collaboration with the Chief of Schools, Chief Academic Officer, and Superintendent.
- Work within select schools, side-by-side with those school leaders, to significantly improve achievement outcomes and school culture; design with select school leader(s) and other academic team members an action plan that supports the school in driving toward improved student achievement and staff culture; monitor and course correct on action plan in short and long bursts, as needed.
- As directed by the Chief of Schools and/or Superintendent, utilize data to assess school performance and guide transformation efforts of select schools, ensuring that strategies are informed by evidence and aligned with best practices.
- Working in concert with the Deputy Chief of Schools for that grade ban, provide targeted management, support, and coaching to select schools, school leaders and educators, to support swift transformation, fostering a culture of high expectations and continuous professional growth.
- Build trusting relationships with school leaders to authentically coach and support them in some of the following ways:
- Work closely with school leaders to grow their expertise and capacity to create healthy school communities anchored in high student achievement, positive staff culture, inclusive practices and robust family engagement.
- Build trusting relationships with school leaders to authentically coach and support them in some of the following ways:
- Support the learning and development of school leaders through such strategies as side-by-side coaching (i.e., classroom observations, planning check-ins, leading meetings, supporting Tier 2/3 students, etc), facilitate strategic planning for improvement in short and long-term cycles, provide books, articles, texts, or PD, and employ the use of self-assessments or surveys for feedback and growth.
- Be prepared to problem solve with school and regional leaders on both technical and adaptive challenges.
- Support the learning and development of principals to build the capacity, leadership, and efficacy of school leadership teams.
- Support Student Support Services- In collaboration with the Student Support Team leaders, support select school leaders in designing and implementing supports for students with IEPs and ensures the strong function of Tier 2 and Tier 3 systems.
- Develop and support school review & specialized program review processes for select schools
- Frequently monitor growth of select schools toward accountability metrics such as the STAR Framework, ASPIRE, charter goals, TNTP, and board metrics; support in the preparation and presentation of progress
- Monitor school progress toward improvement goals, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and providing regular updates to the Chief of Schools, CAO, superintendent, board, and other stakeholders
Talent, Community, and Stakeholder Engagement (20%)
- Build strong relationships with families, community partners, and stakeholders to enhance support for school transformation initiatives and foster a sense of ownership in the educational process.
- Collaborate with stakeholders including community members, regional team, legal team and others to help principals design and maintain systems that ensure the safety and belonging of students and staff. Work with principals and leadership team members to create strong in-school programming, enrichment and extended learning opportunities (extracurricular supports, Saturday school, after school, school-wide culture systems) and make sure that student discipline is thoughtful, appropriate and equitable.
- Support select school leaders as they manage staff (developing teachers, hiring and retention of staff, school leader professional development), engage families, (communication, school events, home visits) and coordinate operations.
- Manage crisis situations & navigate conflict by supporting specified school leaders when urgent situations arise, including coordinating with network teams, supporting stakeholder engagement, and facilitating communication.
- Champion equity initiatives to address systemic barriers and ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality education and support.
- Other projects or workstreams as assigned
Requirements & Preferences
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required
- At least 5 years of experience in school principalship with proven achievement results
- At least 3 years of system-level leadership with proven school transformation results
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree
- School principalship experience in secondary schools
- Experience supporting secondary schools through system-level leadership
- Experience leading schools through cycles of transformation related to student achievement outcomes and school culture;
- Demonstrated ability to lead schools and systems to improve outcomes for students; applied knowledge of the inner workings of schools as they relate to the intersecting priorities of teaching & learning, curriculum & instruction, development, school culture systems, family engagement, management of staff, school safety, operations, etc.
- Experience in leading effective teams, managing change and driving key initiatives
- Demonstrated effectiveness in leading and coordinating across functional teams
- Ability to build relationships and consensus, impact & influence, and motivate action
- Systems-orientation and thinking -- someone who can build from scratch and bring a vision to life
- Ability to view the work from a K - 12 perspective, and the impact of K-12 decisions on postsecondary outcomes for kids
- Strong and responsive communication skills
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
KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:
- The anticipated starting salary range for this position is 149,128-$184,215. 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.
