Chief Academic Officer

Kipp Massachusetts • Kansas City, MO

252d • $100,000 - $125,000

About The Position

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the instructional leader of KIPP KC and is responsible for the academic success of the network. The Chief Academic Officer will create, communicate, and execute the academic vision of KIPP KC. This involves developing and implementing both short-term and long-term strategic plans for the network and with individual school leadership teams. The CAO is also responsible for overseeing organization-wide professional learning experiences and ensuring all academic programs are aligned to support student achievement while in compliance with federal and state law. The Chief Academic Officer will be a part of an executive team that sets the strategic direction of the organization, ensures operational and academic alignment across all schools, and makes key decisions to drive student achievement and organizational health.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of professional K-12 experience, including at least five years as a successful K-12 principal.
• At least two years of network/district leadership, senior leadership, or chief-level leadership preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year institution; a master's degree in education or a related field, or comparable management-level experience preferred.
• Experience teaching and leading at a high-performing charter or district school in a community with a similar student population to the communities KIPP KC serves.
• A proven track record of improving student achievement in a challenging context using data to drive student achievement results.
• Proven experience coaching senior leaders and school leaders in a K-12 setting.
• Extensive experience in the design, integration, implementation, and management of a school including knowledge of curriculum, instructional practices, assessments, pedagogy, school management, and leadership development.
• Demonstrated success fostering a strong student and adult culture across a school or network of schools.
• Teacher and Principal Certification required.
• Curriculum & Instruction Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop an academic vision and long-term strategic plan that aligns with KIPP KC's mission, ensuring consistency and excellence in instructional models across multiple campuses (K-12).
• Lead the implementation of high-impact academic strategies to ensure rigorous, engaging educational programs that improve student outcomes.
• Plan, develop, implement, assess, and improve academic policies and practices to support instructional excellence.
• Observe systems and classrooms to diagnose data gaps and provide fixes.
• Design and implement a standards-based curriculum.
• Ensure all curricula are aligned with KIPP KC's academic model and in compliance with national and state standards.
• Collaborate with the Chief Schools Officer and school leadership to develop, implement, and monitor an effective multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework that ensures students meet academic and individual learning goals.
• Manage and partner with the Director of Student Support Services to implement appropriate and responsive behavior interventions that meet students' unique social, emotional, mental, and academic needs.
• Develop and oversee network-wide professional learning to build on teacher strengths, identify areas for growth, and enhance instructional effectiveness.
• Utilize student achievement data to drive instructional decisions, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure school accountability.
• Lead and manage academic progress monitoring meetings to drive shifts in curriculum implementation and assessment strategy based on data.
• Develop network-wide assessment systems to track progress across multiple campuses.
• Provide leadership to ensure campuses maintain exceptional academic progress in the areas of attendance, grades, matriculation, and graduation.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Academic Team, directly managing four direct reports while fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Build strong relationships with families, community partners, board members, and stakeholders to foster collaborative decision-making.
• Oversee all academic-related compliance activities, including authorizer oversight, Title I funding, IDEA, and state assessment standards.
• Oversee development of partnerships with external programs to support academic growth, and teacher and leadership development.

Benefits

• Salary range of $100,000 - $125,000 based on years of experience, educational background, and level of expertise.
• Eligible to participate in all KIPP Kansas City benefit plans including medical, dental, and vision options.
• Life insurance, fertility, and disability plans.
• Numerous opportunities for advancement, ongoing professional development, and leadership training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Master's degree