Job Description

About The Position

As the VP of Policy & Impact, you will design and execute a multi-year plan that advances KIPP’s policy and advocacy agenda at the federal, state, and local level. Together with communities and KIPP regional advocacy leaders, you will pursue improved opportunities for KIPP, public charter schools and advocate for child-welfare-related policies that help advance KIPP’s mission. Ultimately, the VP will deliver key results such as 1) achieving increased annual appropriations funding and increased bi-partisan support for the federal Charter Schools Program and 2) ensuring that KIPP regions have strong plans and partnerships to mitigate or eliminate local legislative and electoral threats that would jeopardize the autonomy and funding of KIPP schools. Ultimately, this VP will focus on deepening KIPP’s relationships and strategic partnerships with local and national advocacy groups that share KIPP’s commitment to lead choice-filled lives for low-income students of color. A core part of this work is determining KIPP’s long term strategy in federal and local advocacy space. The VP of Policy and Impact reports to the Chief Growth Officer, and their key responsibilities fall under the following buckets:

Responsibilities

Federal Advocacy and High Performing CMO Coalition Leadership: Convene and lead our CMO Coalition group of KIPP regions and non-KIPP charter school management organizations (CMO) to secure local and federal policy and resource wins needed for all KIPP schools and communities to thrive

• Secure bi-partisan support for the federal Charter Schools Program appropriation at recommended funding levels

• Build and foster working groups to address various public policy priorities, such as leading a coalition of high-performing charter management organizations that work to amplify charter sector strengths while addressing charter sector vulnerability

• Oversee the planning and execution of our annual Fall and Spring Capitol Hill Advocacy Days in Washington DC

• Assess and determine KIPP’s strategic role in the federal and local advocacy landscape.

State and City Advocacy : Partner with advocacy staff and executive directors in KIPP regions to build, develop, and establish clear goals, strategies, and tactics needed to achieve policy and resourcing wins that benefit KIPP and the students, families, and communities KIPP serves.

• Build and maintain relationships with the leadership teams of key state-based and city based partner organizations

• Serve as an external spokesperson with other national and local organizations on all workstreams detailed above.

• Partner and support KIPP regional engagement with state and local elected officials of color, including participation in events sponsored by state and local organizations of Black and Latinx legislators.

Team Leadership : Operate as a member of the Extended Leadership team, which is made up of VPs and Chief Level leaders.

• Collaborate effectively with leaders on cross-functional initiatives that contribute to org-wide goals

• Foster team culture that promotes continuous learning and a strong sense of belonging for all team members

• Participate in talent initiatives to drive employee engagement

• Set a strong example by leading in alignment with KIPP values and commitment to equity

Skills

• Mission & Student Focus- Passion for education equity and KIPP’s mission and values (sense of purpose, results, respect, constant learning & humility, and diversity & inclusivity)

• **Vision Setting & Strategic Clarity **- Design and evolve multi-year vision and direction that promotes organizational perspective; understand program interdependencies and the need to integrate activities across functions; employs systems thinking when considering strategic opportunities.

• Team Leadership and Management - Strong management skills, including people management, team management, and project management; as team lead, can foster a climate of openness, trust, solidarity, and continuous learning while ensuring synergies, efficiencies, and alignment across multiple initiatives that may span teams, functions, and regions.

• Relentless Focus on Solutions and Results - Set culturally competent and ambitious goals with team to achieve measurable outcomes; create an environment in which all systems and processes support high levels of efficiency to ensure that chief priorities are accomplished successfully; champions the ongoing spirit of improvement and professional growth across the organization while holding teams accountable to results.

• Partnership, Alliance-Building and Stakeholder Management - Can generate excitement, enthusiasm, and commitment across internal and external stakeholders to advance KIPP’s Mission; has political acumen and the interpersonal, diplomatic, and communications skills necessary to develop successful working relationships with diverse constituents.

• Critical Thinking and Strong Judgement - Leverage data effectively for strategic decision-making and driving improvement; can make courageous yet necessary decisions in the interest of students and families with experience working with and in the interests of communities of color; can maintain exemplary integrity, discretion, and cultural competence while working with staff and with confidential/sensitive information.

• Cultural Competence & Commitment to Equity - A proactive cultural leader and team player who thrives on collaboration and learning; can effectively collaborate with teammates across lines of difference; a passion for KIPP’s mission and values, including a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

Experience and Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience as a high-performing leader in the education policy and advocacy space , with a track record of establishing and implementing long-term campaign and advocacy strategies, translating them into short- and long-term wins; demonstrated experience supporting C-Suite level leaders with timely decision making on matters related to government affairs, policy, advocacy and community engagement.

• 5+ years of experience in directly lobbying and/or executing advocacy initiatives , with a track record of results of influencing policies at the federal, state, or local level, in the K-12 education space. Has existing relationships with leaders on Capitol Hill and leaders of charter school or K12 advocacy organizations

• Change leadership experience , ideally at a systems level experience managing significant change toward successful outcomes (such as, but not limited to, restructuring and strategy pivots) while maintaining a strong focus on team culture.

• Budget management experience overseeing and managing a complex budget that allows teams to achieve both. short and long-term success.

Additional Information

Work Conditions

• Travel requirements: 30-40%

• Full-time, Exempt Position

Location

This role also has the option of working from a remote office full-time or to be based out of a KIPP Foundation office. KIPP Foundation office is in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $190,000-$235,000, commensurate with relevant experience.

Our comprehensive benefits package include:

• 26 vacation days + 18 days additional flexible PTO days (flexible PTO increases to 23 days for year 3 and 4 and to 28 days for years 5+).

• 100% paid parental leave

• 100% coverage of the premium for employee and 75% for employee + family’s medical/dental/vision plans.

• Wellness benefits such as fitness reimbursements, discounted tickets to theme parks/attraction, back-up care support for children and adults/elders, and our employee assistance program

• Finance Security benefits include such as a 401K retirement plan with 4% match, employer sponsored legal plans, and life/disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.