The Chief of Schools ensures the health, performance, and continuous improvement of all KIPP SoCal schools by supervising the Directors of Schools and the Managing Director of Student Services. This role drives student outcomes through effective leadership development, school health monitoring, and operational excellence while fostering a positive, inclusive school culture. The Chief of Schools collaborates with the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) to align school strategies with academic goals but does not directly oversee instruction. The position reports to KIPP SoCal's Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

KIPP SoCal is seeking a seasoned, strategic leader to serve as our next Chief of Schools—someone who has successfully led large portfolios or served as a Chief of Schools and is ready to make an immediate impact. This is not a stretch role. The Chief of Schools ensures the health, performance, and continuous improvement of all 20 KIPP SoCal schools serving 10,000 students by supervising the Directors of Schools and the Managing Director of Student Services. Working closely with the CEO and CAO, this leader drives student outcomes through strong leadership development, operational excellence, and a data-driven approach to continuous improvement—all while fostering a positive, inclusive culture where both students and educators thrive. If you’re a results-oriented, strategic thinker who turns plans into action and data into growth, and you’re passionate about equity and community impact, apply now to join KIPP SoCal’s next chapter of excellence.

Key responsibilities for the role are:

School Health and Performance

• Ensure each school achieves an overall health score of 3+ on the School Health Continuum or improves by at least one level in two key elements.
• Support Directors of Schools in driving school improvement plans that lead to measurable gains in student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and leadership capacity.
• Oversee the development and implementation of action plans for schools not meeting performance benchmarks, ensuring alignment with regional priorities.

Family & Community Engagement

• Create and oversee strategy, programs and services aimed towards increased family and community engagement; and strengthen the partnership among families, community, and schools to improve student academic achievement, school success, and to serve as critical advocates and ambassadors for KIPP SoCal. 
• Develop, monitor and implement a strategy to proactively engage families through the identification and development of a training program for family leaders focused on the principles and practices of community organizing.  
• Identify opportunities and develop ways to strategically build coalitions, while maximizing collaboration and coordination with community partners across the diverse communities of Southern California.

Leadership Development & Talent Pipeline

• Coach, manage, and develop Directors of Schools and the Managing Director of Student Services to build a high-impact leadership team.
• Ensure that 100% of School Leaders (Principals) receive high-quality coaching and professional development, resulting in improved school leadership effectiveness.
• Develop a strong leadership pipeline, ensuring that 75% of leadership vacancies are filled internally through proactive talent cultivation.

School Culture & Student Experience

• Foster equitable and inclusive school environments where 90%+ of students and families report a positive school experience, as measured by student and family voice metrics.
• Partner with the Managing Director of Student Services to strengthen Special Education and Mental Health services, ensuring compliance and high-quality supports for all students.
• Ensure schools are leading restorative and culturally responsive discipline practices, reducing disparities and improving student engagement.

Operational Excellence & Accountability

• Oversee operational efficiency in schools, ensuring that at least 100% of schools meet compliance requirements related to staffing, finance, and facilities.
• Monitor and support enrollment, attendance, and fiscal health across schools to maintain financial sustainability.
• Execute KIPP SoCal's parent/family complaint policy with fidelity

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work alongside the Chief Academic Officer to ensure instructional priorities are effectively implemented without directly managing academics.
• Partner with regional teams (HR, Operations, Talent, etc.) to align resources and supports for schools.
• Act as a key thought partner to the CEO, contributing to the strategic direction of KIPP SoCal Public Schools.

Role-Specific Competencies & Skills

• Strategic Leadership & Coaching
• Builds strong, trusting relationships with Directors of Schools and School Leaders.
• Develops and executes data-driven coaching and management cycles, ensuring leader effectiveness.
• Creates structures for continuous professional learning and collaboration among school leaders.


• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Diagnoses school performance against defined benchmarks and translates data into actionable strategies.
• Monitors progress and holds leaders accountable for meeting school health, student achievement, and operational targets.


• School Culture & Community Engagement
• Champions equitable, student-centered learning environments.
• Effectively resolves school and parent concerns, strengthening family-school partnerships.
• Advocates for schools by elevating principal perspectives and ensuring resources are equitably distributed.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Works seamlessly with the Chief Academic Officer, Managing Director of Student Services, and other regional leaders.
• Aligns school management with regional priorities, ensuring a unified vision across KIPP SoCal.


• KIPP Leadership Competencies


• Lead Self
• Demonstrates self-awareness, commitment to continuous learning, and a strong personal drive for impact.
• Knows who to collaborate with, what to prioritize and what to delegate.


• Lead People
• Builds high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and accountable culture.
• Manages, coaches and develops school and regional leaders to maximize their potential.
• Builds community and a collective sense of purpose and identity.


• Lead Results
• Uses data to set priorities, drive decision-making, and ensure outstanding outcomes for students.
• Holds teams accountable to ambitious goals with clear action plans.
• Assesses emergent needs and determines plan of action.


• Additional Expectations
• Serve as a visible and present leader across KIPP SoCal schools.
• Act as an ambassador for KIPP SoCal, representing the network in regional, state, and national education forums.
• Uphold and model KIPP SoCal’s values, anti-racism standards, and standards of conduct.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 10 years of work experience with 5 years of supervisory and management experience, preferably in a large, dynamic, mission-driven organization
• This is not a stretch role opportunity. Please have Chief of Schools experience (or very comparable role) at a charter or district organization similar in size to KIPP SoCal (or larger)
• 4 years minimum experience leading a high performing charter school, with success coaching and developing leaders
• Demonstrated success providing financial oversight and managing a school budget
• Strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backwards plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to detail, and deliver consistent and timely results
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with an aptitude systems-building
• Sense of humility, urgency, and customer service mindset 
• Strong ability to proactively solve problems and make decisions quickly
• Team player with strong interpersonal and stakeholder management and relationship building skills
• Ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable to high standards of academic and operational excellence
• Ability to be calm under pressure, especially in difficult conversations with parents and staff
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
• Desire to continuously learn and increase effectiveness as a professional 
• Unwavering commitment to KIPP’s mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of KIPP students, families, and staff

Compensation

• KIPP SoCal Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $192,600 to $288,900. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint of $240,750 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budget allocated for this role.
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
• Employer-paid KIPP SoCal life insurance
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
• Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Generous time off program includes 22 holidays, sick leave and vacation
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)

KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, . Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.