Principal Gifts Officer

KIPP Capital Region (KIPP Albany Public Schools) is a part of a national network of high‑performing public charter schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond. Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500 students in grades K‑12 across seven schools. The organization values anti‑racism, equity, and racial justice and encourages all stakeholders to participate in building a future without limits for students. Position Overview The Regional Director of Instructional Climate and Culture provides strategic leadership across KIPP Capital Region schools to ensure the development and implementation of strong, joyful, and structured school culture systems that promote positive student outcomes. This role leads the regional vision for school climate, social‑emotional learning (SEL), restorative practices, and behavior systems, ensuring alignment across campuses. Responsibilities Regional Strategy & Systems Leadership Develop and lead the regional vision and strategy for school climate and culture across KIPP Capital Region schools. Ensure strong, consistent implementation of school culture systems, including arrival, dismissal, transitions, incentive systems, and community‑building structures. Lead the development and implementation of research‑based social‑emotional learning (SEL) and positive behavior intervention systems within a Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Partner with school leaders to align school culture practices with KIPP Capital Region’s mission, values, and academic priorities. Analyze regional school climate data to identify trends and support schools in implementing targeted improvement strategies. Leadership Development & Coaching Coach and support School Leaders, Deans of Culture, and Student Support Staff in building strong culture systems and effective behavior management practices. Provide individualized coaching to school leaders and teachers on classroom management, restorative responses, and trauma‑informed approaches. Support the development and management of school‑based culture and climate teams. Design and facilitate professional development for school teams on topics including: School culture systems Restorative practices SEL implementation Trauma‑informed practices Student behavior intervention strategies Crisis Prevention & CPI Training Serve as the regional Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified Trainer, ensuring staff across schools are trained in evidence‑based crisis prevention, de‑escalation, and safe response strategies. Lead CPI certification and recertification training for school leaders, Deans, teachers, and student support staff. Ensure schools maintain compliance with CPI training requirements and safety protocols. Support school teams in implementing CPI‑aligned approaches to crisis prevention, behavioral escalation, and safe intervention practices. Provide guidance to school leaders and staff during complex behavioral crises to ensure student and staff safety. Regional Systems & Sustainability Ensure all schools implement aligned regional expectations for instructional climate and culture systems, including classroom routines, transitions and hallway expectations, behavior response systems, restorative practices, and student engagement structures. Partner with School Leaders and Regional Leadership to ensure climate and culture systems directly support strong academic outcomes and joyful classrooms. Restorative Practices & Student Support Build regional capacity for restorative practices across schools, including restorative conversations, talking circles and peace circles, peer mediation and conferences, and re‑entry circles and restorative conferences. Support schools in implementing restorative approaches to address student behavior and strengthen relationships within the school community. Provide guidance during complex student situations and disciplinary processes to ensure equitable and restorative responses. Data & Continuous Improvement Lead the collection and analysis of school climate and culture data, including discipline data, behavior referrals, student and staff climate surveys, and SEL implementation metrics. Partner with school leaders to use data to improve systems, reduce exclusionary discipline practices, and strengthen student support structures. Monitor the fidelity of culture and behavior systems across schools and support continuous improvement. Student Support & Trauma‑Informed Practices Partner with school social workers, counselors, and student support teams to strengthen services for students requiring behavioral or social‑emotional support. Promote trauma‑informed practices across schools to support students experiencing adversity. Provide guidance and support during crisis situations impacting individual students or the broader school community. Family & Community Engagement Collaborate with families and caregivers to strengthen partnerships that support student success and positive school culture. Build partnerships with community organizations, universities, civic groups, and service providers to expand resources available to students and schools. Support schools in creating meaningful opportunities for family engagement related to student well‑being and development. Operational & School Support Support schools in establishing and maintaining consistent expectations for student behavior. Partner with school leaders to develop preventative behavior systems and intervention plans for students requiring additional support. Provide guidance on discipline systems that balance high expectations with restorative and developmentally appropriate responses. Support school‑based teams with data systems, documentation, and tracking of behavior and student support services. Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred from an accredited college or university. Five years of professional experience working in education or related fields. Previous experience in a School Leadership role, required. Preferred experience working directly with students, preferably in the charter, private, or public school environment. Prior experience working in schools and urban communities is preferred but not required. Ability to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours. Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods seated at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently. Must be able to stand, walk, sit, use fingers to type, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance; stoop, bend, and reach, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear. Dexterity requires writing and operating standard office machines such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, phones, and calculators. Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 40 pounds. Benefits Industry‑leading medical, dental, and vision coverage. Aggressive employer 403(b) contribution match. Childcare benefits. Unparalleled work/life integration. Casual dress code. Relocation stipend (conditions apply). And so much more – for additional details see the Employee Benefits Summary. Compensation The salary range for this role is $109,300 – $120,800, determined by an equitable compensation scale that accounts for relevant experience and tenure within the KIPP network. All staff and educators at KIPP Capital Region are committed to anti‑racism and inclusion, are part of a close‑knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same. #J-18808-Ljbffr Bentley University