KIPP DC
Executive Secondary School Leadership Resident
Academic - Washington, DC - Full Time
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Executive Secondary School Leadership Resident
Job Summary
The Executive Secondary School Leadership Resident is an integral part of the academic and schools team, ensuring we develop a deep pipeline of talented leadership for our secondary schools and welcome external leaders into the practices of KIPP DC. The starting salary for this role starts at $113,827 on the vice principal scale, with added compensation consideration based on applicable and relevant experience. This is a full-time, fully on-site role based at one or multiple of our school sites with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.
About KIPP DCFor 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.
Our work is grounded in five pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.
As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.
About the Role
Through the KIPP DC Executive School Leader Residency, a current or aspiring school leader will spend up to a year learning how to be an excellent secondary principal in a paid, full-time role in KIPP DC schools. They will spend their time in our schools, leading and learning with current KIPP DC school leaders and will co-create a professional development plan that is unique to their needs, supported by regional senior leadership.
The fellow will be embedded within school leadership team(s) to:
- Lead strategic projects under the direction of senior regional leadership and the principal that promote educational excellence
- Provide development, coaching, and support to leadership team members and teachers to deliver high-quality instruction in powerfully productive and joyful learning environments
- Use data to drive systemic, urgent growth and change; lead complex change management
- Self-propel development and growth in preparation to become a principal of a secondary school
Upon successful completion of the KIPP DC Executive School Leader Residency, the fellow will be prepared for a leadership position at a KIPP DC secondary school.
Location and Type of Work
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 Superintendent. 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 onsite. This role is currently required to be onsite or in schools during regular work hours.
Responsibilities
The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.
Build & Manage School Systems for Learning (30%)
Embed within the School Leadership Team to Build and Manage Systems for Learning:
- Diagnose and respond to data to implement schoolwide academic and culture systems
- Support members of the leadership team and teacher leaders to implement and manage systems
- Ensure the maintenance and health of MTSS and in-school LRE systems
- Systematize the use of data to monitor progress and impact
- Manage the strategic allocation of resources towards key initiatives
- Use talent management practices to support the hiring, retention, and development of staff
A component of the fellow’s personalized development plan will be dedicated to development in this area.
Execute Professional Development & Systemic Instructional Management Practices (30%)Embed in the School Leadership Team to Lead Essential Instructional Systems:
- Conduct classroom walkthroughs and observations to provide feedback and support to teachers and leaders
- Manage and coach teachers and staff performance to achieve excellent outcomes for students
- Ensure teacher development through ongoing coaching, modeling, observation and feedback, content team meetings, staff professional development, etc
- Use student learning data and student work to inform professional learning and teacher feedback
- Practice the facilitation and coaching of the leadership team to drive instructional improvement through practices such as walkthroughs, co-observations, and talent management
A component of the fellow’s personalized development plan will be dedicated to development in this area.
Drive Strong Learning Environment (20%)Embed within the School Leadership Team to Drive Strong Learning Environment:
- Collaborate with school staff, regional staff, students and families to drive school culture systems that are affirming, joyful, and lead to productive learning
- Understand and enforce KIPP DC policies and regulations; communicate effectively in managing these systems and policies
- Ensure the adherence for staff and students to positive culture systems and classroom learning environment
- Provide professional development and coaching to teachers and staff to continuously improve learning culture practices
- Promote excellent student and staff attendance habits; design system to support and motivate strong attendance
A component of the fellow’s personalized development plan will be dedicated to development in this area.
Lead for Excellent Operations, Fiscal Management, and Compliance (10%)Embed within the School Leadership Team to:
- Support the management of school-based budget and spending
- Implement safety and health policies in coordination with the regional safety and compliance team
- Support master scheduling to drive excellent student outcomes
- Coordinate with operations and facilities team members to ensure daily operations are smooth
- Support the management of student enrollment, reenrollment, and in-year retention
A component of the fellow’s personalized development plan will be dedicated to development in this area.
Requirements & Preferences
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- A minimum of 5 years of teaching experience
- A minimum of 3 years of school-level leadership experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience as a school leader is preferred - candidates who have successful experience in primary grades or secondary grades are encouraged to apply
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Strong ability to anticipate needs, demonstrate foresight in planning and be a source of well-rounded support
- Exercise sound judgment in difficult situations
- Demonstrate people and talent-management skills
- A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture
- Ability to constantly prioritize workflow and make hard trade-offs
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel across KIPP DC schools and to headquarters
- Flexibility to work outside normal business hours or weekends for KIPP DC events
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 salary for this role starts at $113,827 on the vice principal scale, with added compensation consideration based on applicable and relevant experience. Please see the vice principal salary scale here.
- 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.
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.
