Managing Director of School Transformation

Managing Director of School Transformation

The Managing Director of School Transformation role is a change agent. The person in this role will serve as a key leader in driving systemic change and advance academic outcomes of specific schools within our network to accomplish both growth in absolute student achievement and student growth. 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 Managing Director 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 learning, grow and excel, and have every opportunity for success. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven track record of raising student achievement as a school and/or systems-level leader, a commitment to KIPP DC's mission, and a passion for creating transformative learning environments.

The starting salary range for this role is $137,746-$152,245. This is a full-time, fully on-site role with an anticipated start date of July 6th.

About KIPP DC

For 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 Team

The Managing Director of School Transformation serves as an important member of the academic team, which is composed of the senior academic leaders at KIPP DC who support and manage schools, school leaders, and teaching and learning. 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 academic 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

The Managing Director of 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 Managing Director of School Transformation emphasizes relentless drive for student learning and growth. In doing so, the person in this role will honor 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.

Location and Type of Work

Fully onsite (5 days per week onsite)

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.

Data-Driven Strategist for School Transformation (75%)

• 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 school leadership teams and key leaders on the Academic Leadership Team.
• 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.
• 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.
• Utilize regional systems, tools, and strategy to drive achievement in schools
• Work in collaboration and partnership with regional grade band deputy chiefs of schools
• Work in collaboration and alignment with members of the regional academic team
• 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.
• 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 ensure the strong function of MTSS 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 ASPIRE, charter goals, the STAR Framework, TNTP, and internal 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 (25%)

• Indirectly and directly lead and facilitate team members to coordinate efforts to support schools' systematic achievement and growth
• 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.
• Serve as principal manager of select schools.
• 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
• At minimum of 6 years experience in school principalship and/or system-wide leadership with proven achievement results, especially in elementary or middle schools

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• Experience leading schools through cycles of transformation related to student achievement outcomes and school culture
• Demonstrated ability to lead schools and systems to improve