Managing Director of Student Experiences and Pathways

KIPP • Newark, NJ

1d • $175,000 - $190,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Managing Director of Student Experiences and Educational Pathways will lead the development of innovative educational pathways for students who are not finding success in traditional school settings, including Home Instruction and alternative education programs. This role will design and execute a strategic vision centered on providing high-quality, individualized learning experiences that foster student engagement, academic achievement, and long-term success. In addition, the Managing Director will coordinate comprehensive wraparound services by partnering with families, schools, and community organizations to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs through a holistic and student-centered approach.

The Managing Director of Student Experience and Pathways will work in close partnership with the Chief Equity Strategist to embody the values outlined in our Heartbeat and ensure that all students across KIPP TEAM and Family Schools have access to joyful, affirming, and responsive learning communities that support both their individual growth and collective futures as leaders in their chosen fields. Together, the Chief Equity Strategist and Managing Director will co-lead the team of Directors of Student Experiences, in strong alignment with the School Management and Teaching & Learning teams, to advance our commitment to being the “most kid-focused” organization. Through strategic collaboration, they will define, align, and drive key initiatives that strengthen school culture and climate, elevate the student experience, and ensure equitable outcomes for all students.

The Managing Director of Student Experiences and Pathways will also drive strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts informed by key culture and student experience data, research, stakeholder feedback, and best practices. Through leadership development, coaching, and collaborative problem-solving, this role will empower Directors of Student Experiences and other leaders to support schools in building equitable, inclusive, and aligned cultures that promote strong outcomes for all students and TEAMmates.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Multiple years of school-based leadership experience
• Successful track record as a School and Regional leader
• Achievement Orientation: Has demonstrated results and experience leading a high-performing school (student achievement and leadership development); upholds a high bar for excellence.
• Mission Commitment: Believes in our mission of college access for all
• Knows, models, and lives our Heartbeat.
• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
• Strong judgment/decision-making skills
• Experience coaching different types of leaders in a variety of contexts, and a track record of developing leaders
• Proficiency in MS Office, Google Suite, Excel, and customary school database systems.
• Ability to be in schools a minimum of at least 4x a week
• Ability to coach, develop , and mentor leaders
• Ability to analyze and create an action plan in response to data
• Ability to plan and execute professional development for large groups
• Demonstrated ability to create and execute long-term vision and strategy across multiple stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate a comprehensive vision for alternative student pathways that ensure all students have access to meaningful, high-quality educational experiences beyond the traditional school setting.
• Design, implement, and oversee strategic programs and supports for students experiencing challenges in traditional environments, including Home Instruction and future alternative education programs.
• Collaborate with school leaders, counselors, families, and community partners to create individualized pathways that promote student engagement, academic progress, and postsecondary readiness.
• Lead the development and execution of systems, processes, and interventions that improve outcomes for students requiring nontraditional educational placements and supports.
• Monitor program effectiveness through data analysis, stakeholder feedback, and continuous improvement practices to ensure equitable access and successful student outcomes.
• Co-lead and co-manage a team of Directors of Student Experiences to advance the organization’s culture vision and ensure alignment of student experience initiatives across schools.
• Co-develop leadership capacity within the team by providing coaching, professional development, and ongoing support to strengthen culture systems and student-centered practices.
• Collaborate with School Management and Teaching & Learning teams to co-design and implement strategies that improve school culture, student engagement, and overall student experience outcomes.
• Monitor and analyze key culture and student experience data with DSE’s, regional and school leaders to identify trends, assess progress, and drive continuous improvement.
• Create and support the execution of development plans for Assistant Principals of Culture to ensure schools remain aligned to organizational culture goals and expectations.
• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive student experience strategy in partnership with School Management, Regional Operation Leaders, Teaching & Learning, Special Education, Social Work, and other cross-functional teams to foster a culture grounded in access, growth, and achievement for all students.
• Set, drive, and continuously refine organization-wide student experience priorities and initiatives across all regions, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, culture vision, and strategic goals.
• Provide strategic leadership to bridge teaching, learning and student experience practices by leveraging data, research, and stakeholder feedback to improve school culture, student engagement, and equitable outcomes.
• Partner with regional and organizational leaders to establish and monitor student experience goals, ensuring consistent implementation, accountability, and continuous improvement across schools and regions.
• Co-lead the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of the School Community Handbook to establish clear expectations, aligned systems, and best practices for school-based culture and student support structures.
• Collaborate with Finance and executive leadership teams to identify, prioritize, and allocate budgetary resources necessary to effectively execute and sustain student experience initiatives across the organization.
• Lead and advance the organization-wide vision and philosophy for student culture, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and commitment to equitable, joyful, and affirming learning environments.
• Design, develop, and drive the implementation of comprehensive school culture systems and strategies across schools and regions, while leading change management efforts that strengthen consistency, effectiveness, and alignment in student experience practices.
• Establish systems to assess, monitor, and communicate key school culture and student experience data trends, using insights to evaluate progress toward organizational goals and inform strategic decision-making.
• Partner with school and regional culture leaders to analyze data tied to key student experience milestones, identify root causes and areas for growth, and develop actionable recommendations that improve systems, processes, and student outcomes.
• Lead the strategic development and continuous improvement of the APC cohort by designing leadership development structures that build capacity, strengthen student centered leadership, and align with organizational priorities.
• Design and execute high impact professional development aligned to organizational culture goals and strategic priorities, ensuring school based leaders are equipped with the skills, tools, and mindsets needed to drive strong student experiences and outcomes.
• Partner with regional leadership teams to analyze data, identify emerging trends and challenges, and develop responsive strategies that address the evolving needs of leaders, schools, and students.
• Provide coaching and support to school based leaders through school walkthroughs, observation of O3s and culture team meetings, and ongoing feedback cycles that elevate best practices, strengthen systems, and improve implementation fidelity.
• Support schools in achieving measurable improvements in student experience and culture outcomes by facilitating targeted coaching, strategic planning, and problem-solving sessions tailored to individual school needs and performance data.
• Provide strategic oversight and continuous improvement for the Home Instruction program by ensuring high-quality instruction, consistent academic support, and the integration of social-emotional learning (SEL) practices that promote student engagement, well-being, and growth.
• Design and lead professional development, coaching, and support systems for Home Instructors to strengthen instructional effectiveness, foster student-centered learning environments, and ensure alignment with organizational expectations and best practices.
• Partner with school-based leaders to ensure students eligible for Home Instruction are assigned qualified instructors in accordance with all compliance requirements, timelines, and district/state regulations.
• Review data and conduct accountability checks to ensure Home Instruction aligns with vision and expectations.
• Provide strategic oversight of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) investigations, reporting, and data management to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with all state and federal regulations, while driving corrective action plans to address identified gaps or trends.
• Partner with school and regional leadership, including Operations, School Leaders, Heads of Schools, and Executive Leadership, to provide crisis response support, risk mitigation strategies, and guidance related to student culture and compliance matters.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders to strengthen systems for data collection, investigation documentation, and state reporting processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant submission practices.
• Establish and implement continuous improvement strategies for culture-related data systems and processes, including staff training, quality assurance measures, and operational protocols that improve efficiency, consistency, and accountability.
• Monitor and analyze suspension and student discipline data in partnership with Assistant Principals of Culture and school leaders to identify trends, ensure compliance with federal and state laws, and drive targeted interventions that promote equitable student outcomes and positive school culture.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision
• KIPP 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions
• A school-issued laptop
• Generous Time-Off Policy
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
• Employer paid life insurance
• Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager