KIPP Foundation, Executive Director Fellow
About The Position
The KIPP Executive Director Fellowship is a year-long leadership development experience designed to prepare exceptional candidates to lead a KIPP region as an Executive Director. Fellows participate in immersive learning experiences, executive coaching, mentoring, applied leadership experiences, and a capstone strategic project aligned to the KIPP Executive Director Excellence Rubric. The program develops participants’ ability to drive student outcomes, build high-performing leadership teams, steward regional strategy, and lead through complexity. The Fellowship is KIPP’s primary pipeline for identifying, preparing, and assessing future Executive Directors. Fellows should be willing to pursue opportunities beyond their fellowship site; placement decisions depend on regional needs, leadership readiness, and organizational fit. Successful completion does not guarantee placement, though graduates become highly competitive candidates for Executive Director opportunities across the KIPP network. The role includes approximately 20–30% travel throughout the Fellowship. It uses a hybrid learning model combining in-person and virtual engagement. Fellows remain employed by their home region if they are internal candidates; external candidates participate under terms established for them.
Requirements
- Current KIPP regional leader with a demonstrated record of strong performance, or an exceptional external candidate with experience leading organizations that improve educational outcomes.
- 10 or more years of demonstrated success leading teams and achieving measurable results.
- Evidence of improving academic, operational, and/or organizational performance.
- Commitment to equity and educational opportunities.
- Ability to influence across multiple stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Demonstrated readiness for executive leadership responsibilities through prior leadership experiences and performance.
- Passion and commitment to KIPP’s mission and ability to uphold KIPP’s core values.
- Ability to set and pursue SMARTIE goals using high-quality data, research, and analysis; monitor progress; engage stakeholders; address obstacles; and develop teammates.
- Ability to build a positive team culture, develop team leaders, provide actionable feedback, distribute work effectively, and hold teammates accountable for outcomes.
- Ability to plan and prioritize work, navigate conflict, lead through ambiguity, ensure quality and efficiency, delegate effectively, and document work accurately.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Preferred experience as a campus leader.
Responsibilities
- Fully engage in Fellowship learning experiences, including the Leadership Academy, Intersessions, monthly learning sessions, coaching, and mentoring.
- Demonstrate growth across the KIPP Executive Director Excellence Rubric through reflection, feedback, and applied practice.
- Complete an Executive Director internship or residency alongside an accomplished KIPP Executive Director.
- Lead a high-impact strategic project addressing a significant regional or network priority and demonstrating executive-level leadership.
- Participate in performance assessments, simulations, and developmental feedback throughout the Fellowship.
- Build meaningful relationships across the national KIPP network and contribute to a collaborative learning community.
- Demonstrate readiness for Executive Director responsibilities through evidence of leadership impact, systems thinking, talent development, and instructional leadership.
- Participate in Executive Director selection processes as opportunities become available.
Benefits
- 25 holidays and 18 additional flexible PTO days; flexible PTO increases to 23 days for years 3 and 4 and 28 days for years 5 and beyond.
- 100% paid parental leave.
- KIPP covers 100% of employee medical, dental, and vision premiums and 75% of employee-plus-family premiums.
- Wellness benefits, including fitness reimbursements, discounted tickets to theme parks and attractions, backup care support for children and adults or elders, and an employee assistance program.
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match.
- Employer-sponsored legal plans.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Flexible spending accounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
