ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools in under-resourced communities throughout the United States. There are currently 57 locally-run KIPP schools in 17 states and Washington, DC, which are serving over 14,000 students. KIPP schools have been widely recognized for putting under-served students on the path to college. More than 80 percent of KIPP students are low-income and more than 95 percent are African American or Hispanic/Latino. Nationally, nearly 80 percent of KIPP alumni have matriculated to college. At KIPP, we believe that there are no shortcuts to academic success. Outstanding educators, more time in school learning, a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, and a strong culture of achievement and support help our students make significant academic gains and continue to excel in high school and college.



The nonprofit KIPP Foundation recruits, trains, and supports outstanding educators to open and lead high-performing college-preparatory public schools in educationally under-served communities. All KIPP schools share a core set of operating principles, known as the Five Pillars, that KIPP believes help to lay the foundation for students to perform at the highest academic levels: High Expectations, Choice & Commitment, More Time, Power to Lead, and a Focus on Results.



The 57 existing KIPP schools are a building block towards the fulfillment of the organization’s ambitious long-term vision to build sufficient scale and show that public schools can effectively level the playing field and provide opportunity to all students. KIPP is changing expectations of schooling among parents, teachers, district personnel, and policy-makers. It is our hope that these expectations will change not only in the areas in which our schools are located, but eventually spread across the nation. Bolstered by the proof that, with hard work and common sense, educators can eliminate the “achievement gap,” teachers, schools, and school systems will feel the pressure and develop the will to emulate the structure and practices that make KIPP successful.



Every day, KIPP schools are tapping into the potential of children from some of the most under-resourced communities in the United States. While we do not believe we are ‘the solution’ to the challenges facing children growing up in some of our most under-resourced public schools, we do believe we can be a powerful example of the transformative potential of a truly outstanding public education.



POSITION SUMMARY

KIPP Foundation seeks an energetic, entrepreneurial-minded, business and educational professional to support all aspects of new site development.



The Director of New Site Development (NSD) will be part of the Foundation’s newly-formed Network Growth team whose primary purpose is to direct the organization’s growth strategy nationally while ensuring that KIPP Regions are well-positioned to open and sustain schools in their communities.



The Director of NSD is responsible for selecting and managing KIPP’s expansion in new communities. In addition, this position will support existing and emerging KIPP Regions in developing and executing their growth plans. The Director of NSD will work closely with new site community stakeholders, Regional Leaders and their staffs, local Boards of Directors, and colleagues on the KIPP Foundation staff.



Responsibilities:

• Serve as the key point of contact for external communications regarding KIPP’s approach to expansion, support and oversight and manage the Foundation’s new site selection request for proposal (RFP) process; ensure that all applicants understand KIPP’s requirements for new site expansion and selected communities are well-situated to bring KIPP to their community.



• Work with selected sites in the early start-up phase; build regional organizational capacities, generate local support, and ensure that local conditions are favorable to foster KIPP’s growth and sustainability in new communities.



• Evaluate existing and emerging KIPP Regions’ preparedness to grow and subsequently coach and support Regions in the development of their strategic business plans; ensure that Regions are well-positioned to open and sustain schools.



• Collaborate with various KIPP Foundation teams including Recruitment, Real Estate, Finance, Legal, and Development; leverage Foundation resources in support of new site expansion as well as developing and implementing Region growth plans.



Beliefs

• All students, regardless of race, socio-economic status, family background or past academic performance can succeed academically.



Skills

• Strong relationship management, consulting, and coaching skills;

• Strategic thinker;

• Strong project management skills;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

• Strong selling skills.





Knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of the education industry and charter schools;

• Minimum of 7 – 10 years of relevant experience in education and/or business;

• Bachelor’s degree required. An MBA or other advanced degree is preferred;

• Selling and negotiating experience is required;

• Experience in strategic business planning.



Capabilities

• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and adept at cultivating relationships with various constituencies within and outside of the KIPP network;

• Ability to clearly articulate and sell a vision, cultivate key stakeholders, outline and detail a project plan, and execute against it;

• Ability to travel (30%).



Other

• Position will be located in San Francisco, Chicago, or New York City and reports to the Director of Network Growth.



Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Employee benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, 401K plan, and a significant paid time-off package.





CONTACT

Send a cover letter and resume to: jobs@kipp.org

For additional information, please visit our website at www.kipp.org



The KIPP Foundation provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.