Job Description

Position Overview

The Principal in Residence (PIR) role is a full-time, school-based leadership development position designed for experienced instructional leaders who are preparing to become K–12 principals within 1–2 years. PIRs are placed at a KIPP NYC school and serve as a core member of the school leadership team, progressively assuming the responsibilities of a school leader while receiving intensive coaching, mentorship, and professional development.

PIRs play a meaningful, day-to-day role in advancing student achievement, strengthening school culture, and developing teachers and emerging leaders. This role is ideal for leaders who are deeply committed to educational equity and are seeking a structured, supportive pathway to whole-school leadership.

KIPP NYC’s mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills, confidence, and agency to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and help build a more just world.

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role is well-suited for accomplished instructional leaders who:

• Are currently serving as Assistant Principals, Deans, or in comparable instructional leadership roles
• Have demonstrated success in developing teachers and improving student outcomes
• Are eager to grow into whole-school leadership with coaching and feedback
• Are motivated by equity-driven leadership and community partnership
• Thrive in fast-paced, high-expectations environments and value continuous learning

_ Key Responsibilities_

School Leadership & Vision

• Serve as a key member of the school leadership team, partnering with the School Leader to advance the school’s academic vision, culture, and strategic priorities
• Take increasing ownership of school-wide initiatives and leadership responsibilities over time, aligned to readiness and development goals
• Contribute to school-wide planning, goal-setting, and problem-solving using data and stakeholder input
• Model and reinforce KIPP NYC’s mission, values, and character strengths in all interactions with students, families, and staff

Instructional Leadership & Teacher Development

• Coach and develop teachers across a range of experience levels through classroom observation, feedback, goal-setting, and ongoing support
• Lead grade-level or department-level collaboration and professional learning communities
• Use student achievement data to drive instructional decisions and support teachers in planning targeted interventions
• Lead or co-lead school-wide professional development aligned to instructional priorities and adult learning best practices
• Develop deep content knowledge of assigned grades and/or subject areas and support instructional coherence across classrooms

Student Culture, Systems & Operations

• Support and help manage school-wide culture and behavioral systems that promote belonging, consistency, and high expectations
• Oversee components of daily school operations (e.g., arrival/dismissal, lunch/recess, supervision systems)
• Serve as a point of contact for student interventions and family engagement, partnering with teachers and support teams to determine next steps
• Support teachers in building inclusive, affirming learning environments for all students

Talent, Hiring & Retention

• Partner with the School Leader on staffing strategy, including identifying needs and participating in recruitment, interviewing, and selection
• Contribute to building and retaining a diverse, high-performing staff by supporting onboarding, coaching, and professional growth
• Promote inclusive hiring and retention practices that reflect and honor the communities KIPP NYC serves

Leadership Development & Professional Growth

• Engage in a structured Principal in Residence development program aligned to KIPP NYC’s leadership competencies
• Participate in:
  • Ongoing one-on-one coaching with a Leadership Development coach
  • On-the-job mentorship from an experienced School Leader
  • Monthly readiness checkpoints to assess progress toward principal readiness
  • Formal professional development and cohort-based learning alongside fellow aspiring principals
• Demonstrate reflective practice, self-awareness, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement

What Success Looks Like

• Demonstrates growth and readiness across KIPP NYC’s school leadership competencies
• Shows measurable impact on teacher development, instructional quality, and student outcomes
• Successfully leads increasingly complex school-wide initiatives with autonomy
• Earns a recommendation for principal candidacy within 1–2 years, contingent on readiness and organizational need

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 5 years of instructional leadership experience in a role such as Assistant Principal, Dean, or equivalent
• Demonstrated success in improving academic outcomes directly and through others
• Strong experience coaching, managing, and developing adults
• Deep commitment to racial equity and educational justice; ability to lead with cultural humility and accountability

Preferred

• Experience teaching core academic subjects
• Experience leading data-driven instruction and professional development

Work Environment & Logistics

• Full-time, in-person, school-based role in NYC
• Occasional evening or weekend commitments for school events and community engagement
• Must be authorized to work in the United States

Additional Information

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $139,364 - $203,010. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role. KIPP NYC will evaluate a candidate’s years of experience at the point of hire to determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our Assistant Principal salary scale.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous Time-Off aligned with the school calendar
• Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term/Long-term disability.
• Employee incentives include 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement

_ This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee._

_ This role is based in NYC and will require travel to our schools. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. You must notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate._

_ KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization._

_ KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City._

_ KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment._