Director of People Development - KIPP Columbus

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 285 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates  2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and 2022) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

The Director of People Development will lead the development and implementation of talent management strategies for team members across the KIPP: Columbus network. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this role will lead the design and delivery of competency-based role integration, leadership development programming, performance management cycle, talent assessments, bench planning, high potential leadership development programming, and succession planning.

This Director of People Development will be focused on day-to-day program management, school leader development, and coaching. The role will work closely with members of KCO leadership and school support teams, as well as the Leadership Development Team at the KIPP Foundation.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Deliver talent management strategy aligned to KIPP: Columbus and KIPP Foundation priorities.
• Integrate competency frameworks into recruitment, performance management, job descriptions and talent development processes.
• Deliver and manage leadership development priorities aligned with KIPP Foundation initiatives.
• Identify, design, and execute internal and external development opportunities for more experienced school leaders, aspiring leaders, and ensure fidelity to our performance management systems.
• Deliver bench planning programs to identify future leaders for the network.
• Lead the implementation of high potential programs for team members.
• Design and deliver succession plan programs to ensure a strong bench for key roles.
• Provide full oversight in the performance management process which will include learning development, goal setting, feedback, rating management, and communications.
• Collaborate with the Chief People Officer, Department and School Leaders on New to KIPP Trainings and New Leader Trainings during the summer and throughout the school year.
• Advocate for DE&I best practices within the talent management framework.
• Deliver change management tactics to gain strong team member engagement within a given initiative.
• Develop measurement strategy using both qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
• Analyze performance data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement and make recommendations for enhancing performance management practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 7+ or more years of proven experience leading talent development functions; on-boarding, job profile management, performance management cycle, talent assessments, bench planning, high potential leadership development programming, succession planning, and organizational development.
• Strong understanding of talent development best practices, including succession planning, competency modeling, and performance coaching.
• Collaborative thought leader and change agent with tenacity to get projects to the finish line.
• Energized by building and architecting new talent management processes and leading talent programs end to end.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including the ability to inspire and motivate teams, drive change, and foster a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Must possess outstanding relationship building, coaching, influencing, and advising skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills along with the ability to build outstanding partnerships and deliver excellent customer service to internal customers.
• HRIS experience utilizing talent management components.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multi-task, meet tight deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Time management, prioritization, attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.

Compensation and Benefits

At KIPP Columbus we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive with our compensation and benefits offered to our team.  KIPP Columbus offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances as well various voluntary benefits (such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and participation in the Ohio SERS/STRS retirement plan.)  We also offer seasons of life support with 10 weeks paid maternity leave and 4 weeks paid spousal leave/adoption leave.  

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.