Director of Strategy

KIPP•Houston, TX

5h•$85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Strategy Team, a sub-team under the broader Chief of Staff Team, exists to collaborate cross-functionally with stakeholders, clarify ambiguity in internal and external opportunities, and create solutions to support the current and future state of the organization. The Strategy Team is directly responsible for the planning, execution, and progress monitoring of the KIPP Texas multiyear plan. The Director of Strategy will report to the Managing Director of Strategy and act as a strategic leader responsible for the vision, execution, and continuous improvement of a high-priority function, program, or statewide function. They will be responsible for leading the design, prioritization, and execution of cross-functional strategic initiatives identified as priorities for KIPP Texas. While strong project management skills are a necessity in this role, the successful candidate will also be a proven strategic leader who can define how work gets done. The Director’s project portfolio includes, but is not limited to: assessing strategic initiatives and interventions based on organizational health and competitive landscape, collaborating with cross-functional partners to enhance and support planning and execution, codifying cross-functional playbooks and policies, and shepherding the KIPP Texas multiyear plan creation, execution, and progress monitoring.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year university.
Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a project management, strategy, education, or consulting-type role preferred.
Demonstrated ability to have impact and influence across multiple functional areas (e.g., academics, talent, finance, operations, etc.).
Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative.
Experience fostering strong working relationships with critical stakeholders
Excellent analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
Excellent organizational and planning skills.
Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
Strong stakeholder management and service-orientation.
Self-directed and results-oriented, demonstrating proactivity and follow-through.
Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times.
Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses
Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
Work with frequent interruptions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with charter or charter-like schools, non-profit strategy, non-profit consulting, and/or with students in low-income urban environments is preferred, not required.

Responsibilities

Clarity & Ambiguity: Lead the organization through its most complex and ambiguous strategic challenges, balancing data-driven analysis with the understanding that people and relationships matter.
Demonstrate an adaptive mindset with an ability to see the big picture while driving clarity on the details.
Demonstrate the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
Show strong comfort with ambiguity and the ability to move work forward even when the path is not clearly defined.
Technical & Analytical Proficiency: Define the scope, sequencing, and prioritization of KIPP Texas’s strategic project portfolio.
Establish and own the criteria by which initiatives are selected, assessed, and advanced—balancing organizational health, competitive landscapes, and long-term goals.
Exhibit proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving frameworks to translate executive vision into functional strategy and coordinated cross-functional execution plan.
Identify, analyze, and respond to risk factors across the life of strategic initiatives, ensuring that strategic work is completed on time, within scope and budget, and that outcomes are tracked against meaningful measures of organizational impact.
Communication & Influence: Exhibit exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex data into clear narratives for executive audiences.
Identify and engage key stakeholders of the strategic portfolio, building coalitions, relationships, and buy-in across KIPP Texas to drive project success.
Influence senior leaders across the network on sequencing, scope, and strategic direction.
Draft and own communications to high-level stakeholders.
Team Culture: Contribute to the Chief of Staff Team culture through authentic engagement and by participating in and leading development opportunities.
Model the values of the organization and the community agreements of the Chief of Staff Team.
Represent the Chief of Staff Team responsibly to other stakeholders within and outside the organization.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.
Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
Paid family leave.
Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.
Employee assistance programs.
KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.

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