Chief of Staff - KIPP Kansas City

About KIPP Kansas City Public Schools:

KIPP Kansas City Public Schools is part of a nationwide network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. Our strength as a region serves as a catalyst for empowerment, change, and hope.

Founded in 2007, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools began with KIPP Endeavor Academy, serving approximately 31 fifth-grade students. Today, we educate approximately 1,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with our community continuing to expand. Together with families and communities, we strive to create joyful, academically excellent schools that equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue their chosen paths—whether college, career, or beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to a more just world.

Position Overview:

The Chief of Staff at KIPP Kansas City is a strategic, high-impact role, responsible for managing the Office of the Executive Director. This position acts as a critical thought partner to the Executive Director and ensures the effective use of resources to advance organizational priorities. The Chief of Staff supports the Executive Director with strategic and annual planning to lead KIPP KC in achieving its mission of providing a high-quality education to all students. This role drives and manages cross-functional projects, coordinates with senior leadership, and fosters a collaborative culture rooted in equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage the Office of the Executive Director

  • Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director on organizational strategy, planning, and internal communications.
  • Develop and oversee special projects that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of KIPP KC.
  • Manage administrative, financial, and operational activities for the Office of the Executive Director, ensuring the Executive Director’s time is focused on priority areas.
  • Lead a high-performing team, including project managers, executive assistants, and office managers, to meet the Office’s goals.
  • Monitor and track project progress, reporting results to the Executive Director and relevant stakeholders.
  • Foster a culture of inclusion and innovation within the Office of the Executive Director.
  • Represent the Executive Director in meetings, as needed, maintaining alignment with organizational priorities.

• Strategic Planning and Implementation

  • Partner with the Executive Director to shape and refine KIPP KC’s strategic and annual planning, ensuring cross-functional alignment and engagement.
  • Coordinate with the executive leadership team to implement strategic initiatives that support KIPP KC’s goals for academic and operational excellence.
  • Develop an executive team meeting cadence to support consistent communication and decision-making.
  • Champion KIPP KC’s organizational culture by modeling core values and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Manage organizational change initiatives, communicating strategy and updates to key internal and external stakeholders.
  • Provide clear, timely communication to the Executive Director and leadership team.

• Board Liaison and Governance

  • Serve as the primary liaison for KIPP KC’s board of directors, managing board relationships alongside the Executive Director.
  • Oversee board member lifecycle processes, including identification, onboarding, and stewardship.
  • Coordinate and prepare materials for board engagement, including briefings, meeting decks, and presentations.
  • Ensure that KIPP KC’s board operations align with compliance requirements and best practices in school governance.
  • Guide regional leadership on effective board management and collaborate with legal counsel on board matters.

• Internal Communications

  • Partner with the Executive Director and communications team to develop and implement an internal communications strategy.
  • Act as the voice of the Executive Director in written and verbal communications, ensuring clarity and alignment across the organization.
  • Facilitate communication between the Executive Director and team members through town halls, video messages, and other engagements.
  • Foster a sense of joy and community through internal communications, contributing to a positive organizational culture.
  • Prepare the Executive Director and leadership team for internal engagements, ensuring consistent messaging that aligns with KIPP KC’s mission and values.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree; a Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in education, non-profit, or mission-driven organizations.
• At least 7 years of people management experience, with 5 years at the executive or systems leadership level.
• Proven experience in strategic planning and execution in large organizations.
• Experience managing a board of directors, including governance and compliance.

Skills and Competencies: 

• Commitment to KIPP KC’s mission and values
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Fosters an inclusive environment for students, staff, and families
• Works effectively with colleagues and stakeholders
• Builds strong relationships within the KIPP KC community
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for diverse internal and external audiences
• Ability to prioritize, solve complex problems, and navigate ambiguity effectively
• Skilled in translating concepts into actionable plans and successfully executing large-scale projects
• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust and engage with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to respond to evolving challenges with creativity and a solutions-oriented mindset

Physical Requirements: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. 
• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school or office throughout the workday.
• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region. 

Work Environment

• Reports to work Monday-Friday and some weekends. 
• A typical school or office environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel to work location. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary is based on years of experience, educational background, and level of expertise.

As a full-time KIPP Kansas City employee, you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Kansas City benefit plans. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance, fertility, and disability plans.

KIPP Kansas City is committed to the professional growth and development of our staff. We provide numerous opportunities for advancement, ongoing professional development, and leadership training to help you achieve your career goals.

KIPP Kansas City provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.