Deputy Head of Schools - Camden - KIPP New Jersey

About KIPP New Jersey

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate over 7,738 students in grades K-12 across 15 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. 

By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will have fifteen schools in Newark and seven in Camden providing a world-class education to over 11,600 students. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

At KIPP NJ, our Deputy Head of Schools (DHOS) serves as a leader who is transitioning between the School Leader and Head of Schools role. The DHOS is responsible for supporting school leader(s) in meeting their quantitative and priority goals through coaching, developing and managing the school leader. A key difference between a DHOS and a HoS is likely, but not limited to, the number of schools managed or the scope of project responsibilities managed. We embed antiracism in our approach, to better address issues of equity and fight systems of oppression in our schools.  

Here's what you'll be doing:

Manage and develop school leaders to drive student achievement and staff culture (55%)

• Set the direction of the schools you support through annual planning and phase planning, leveraging the SL playbook.
• Progress-monitor the ongoing results of schools by analyzing academic data, student culture data, and staff culture data and action-planning the most important metrics with School Leaders.
• Provide on the ground observation, coaching and support to School Leaders to drive key metrics (i.e. observation of meetings, classroom walkthroughs, etc.).
• Build a strong “band culture” and leverage it to deliver high-quality School Leader PD opportunities.
• Monitor school-level PD to ensure quality and alignment to broader regional expectations and priorities.
• Serve as on-call support for student, family, or staff emergencies for the schools you support.
• Support the Managing Director of Schools in ensuring all school leaders in Camden have the support and development needed 

Develop and maintain a healthy and equitable bench of leaders (10%)

• Evaluate school leaders through quantitative and qualitative input and work with them to create plans for their development.
• Develop and coach school leaders to develop and performance manage their own leadership teams.
• Assist the school leader with recruitment (hiring and selection).
• Drive equitable and transparent talent practices in collaboration with the talent team.

Help make regional decisions and drive regional priorities (35%)

• Collaborate with the Managing Director of Schools to leverage best practices and drive toward a similar set of regional priorities.
• Participate in weekly regional team meetings to problem-solve and drive regional priorities. Bring the voice of your band to regional decisions.
• Communicate regional decisions to schools and ensure implementation.
• Monitor academic systems across content areas and grade levels through Weekly Academic Progress Monitoring meetings (in conjunction with T&L and SPED Director).
• Meet with CMO/R9/10 departments regularly to progress monitor and problem solve (Recruitment, HR, DLD).
• Collaborate with MDSO for your schools to proactively problem-solve operational opportunities.
• Where needed, own ad hoc projects across the region within predefined functional area (e.g., extracurricular and summer school planning).

Critical Metrics

• Academic results on quarterly and end-of-year assessments, academic results for SPED students, student attendance, student culture and discipline data, parent surveys, staff retention, staff surveys (including but not limited to Insight, Engagement, and ITR)
• SL performance reviews, manager survey results for SL, talent pipeline health metrics, leader retention, school-level hiring (openings)
• Timelines met for regional decision communication and implementation, implementation of regional academic priorities (e.g., microgoals, academic priority trackers), manager survey results

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, a school laptop and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York area.