Job Description

TWO OPPORTUNITIES

The KIPP Foundation is seeking dynamic leaders to fill two positions: Chief of Staff to the CEO and Chief of Staff to the President, Network. In your cover letter, please indicate which position(s) you would like to be considered for and why.

CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE CEO 

The Chief of Staff to the CEO (COS) will serve as a critical thought partner to the CEO on myriad strategic topics that will emerge in carrying out the 2025 plan to fully realize our mission.  The COS will also play a key stewardship role with the Board in partnership with the CEO, play an integral role in the development of internal and external communications, serve a chief aide to the CEO by accompanying him to meetings and/or representing him and by serving as chief gatekeeper to ensure the CEO’s time is used efficiently and effectively.  The COS must excel at building relationships across a wide variety of constituencies, engaging with a team of diverse and talented individuals, and driving results. The COS will lead special projects as requested by the CEO.  

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong emphasis will be placed on this individual’s demonstrated track record in developing strategy and communications, addressing complex problems, managing projects, managing senior stakeholders and delivering high-quality client service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Chief of Staff will report directly to the CEO and work closely with the senior management team at the KIPP Foundation, and senior leaders throughout the KIPP network of schools. Key responsibilities will include:

• Serves as CRITICAL THOUGHT-PARTNER to the CEO and management team, while providing sound counsel and maintaining complete confidentiality
• FACILITATES STRATEGY OF C-SUITE MEETINGS AND ANNUAL PRIORITIES
  • Partners closely with CEO and other executive leaders on the agenda creation, memos and content for all executive leader meetings
• Serves as a CRITICAL STEWARD OF THE FOUNDATION BOARD
  • Develops agendas for quarterly meetings and quarterly calls
  • Manages weekly calls with board chair
  • Partners with senior leaders in the creation of content for all board meetings, retreats, committee meetings
  • Produces the quarterly board book in partnership with Office of the CEO
  • Drafts and/or edits critical memos
  • Prepares guests and presenters
• Supports CEO in developing CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE; accompanies CEO to critical meetings and/or serves as representative at meetings or functions he is unable to attend
  • Develops presentations and talking points for internal and external speaking engagements in partnership with Chief Development Officer and Chief of Policy & Public Affairs
  • Coordinates internal communications including content development of CEO’s updates to the staff and network
  • Leads “tiger teams,” as necessary, to develop high stakes time-sensitive public communications
  • Responds to designated correspondence addressed to CEO
  • As relevant, may attend internal or external meetings with (or on behalf of) CEO
• Provides coordination and oversight in the development of STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS for the CEO
  • Provides integrated analysis and strategic consultation on major issues impacting the organization
  • Prepares briefings, memos, or presentations to communicate findings as appropriate
  • As relevant, may lead cross-functional project teams to achieve specific outcomes on behalf of organization
• In partnership with the CEO’s Executive Assistant proactively manages and serves as GATEKEEPER TO THE CEO’S CALENDAR, providing counsel on prioritization and regular assessment of how time is being managed
  • Partner with President, Network and the Network Growth Team to proactively manage CEO travel throughout the KIPP network in support of regional growth and coordinate production of briefing materials
  • Partner with Development and Policy & Public Affairs to proactively manage CEO’s external engagements and coordinate production of briefing materials

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CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT, NETWORK 

The KIPP Foundation (KF) is seeking a strategic and highly relational leader to serve as the Chief of Staff to the President, Network (COS). The COS will serve as a critical thought partner to the President, Network (President) on myriad strategic topics that will emerge in carrying out the 2025 plan to fully realize our mission.  The COS will also lead engagement with the KIPP ED Community in partnership with leaders of the network facing teams within KF, play an integral role in the development of internal and external communications, serve a chief aide to the President by accompanying her to meetings and/or representing her and by serving as chief gatekeeper to ensure the President’s time is used efficiently and effectively.  The COS must excel at building relationships across a wide variety of constituencies, engaging with a team of diverse and talented individuals, and driving results. The COS will lead special projects as requested by the President.  

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong emphasis will be placed on this individual’s demonstrated track record in building and leveraging relationships to drive strategic outcomes; compelling, people centered communications; thoughtful navigation of complex problems; effective management of senior stakeholders; and delivering high-quality client service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Chief of Staff for the President, Network will report directly to KIPP Foundation's President, Network (President) and work closely with the senior management team at the KIPP Foundation, the Executive Director (ED) Community and senior leaders throughout the KIPP network of schools.  Key responsibilities will include:

• Serves as CRITICAL THOUGHT-PARTNER to the President and management team, while providing sound counsel and maintaining complete confidentiality
• Supports President in developing CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE; accompanies President to critical meetings and/or serves as representative at meetings or functions they are unable to attend
  • Develops presentations and talking points for internal and external speaking engagements
  • Coordinates internal communications including content development of President’s weekly updates to the staff and network; partners with other senior leaders who send regular updates to specific network communities to ensure alignment and cascading of messages
  • Leads “tiger teams,” as necessary, to develop high stakes time-sensitive public communications
  • Responds to designated correspondence addressed to President
  • As relevant, may attend internal or external meetings with (or on behalf of) President
• Serves as a CRITICAL STEWARD OF THE ED COMMUNITY
  • Develops content and agendas for quarterly meetings and calls
  • Manages weekly calls 
  • Partners with senior leaders in the creation of content for all retreats and strategic meetings 
  • Drafts and/or edits critical memos 
  • Prepares guests and presenters
• Provides coordination and oversight in the development of STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS for the President
  • Provides integrated analysis and strategic consultation on major issues impacting the organization
  • Prepares briefings, memos, or presentations to communicate findings as appropriate
  • As relevant, may lead cross-functional project teams to achieve specific outcomes on behalf of organization
• Serves as a LIAISON TO KEY STAKEHOLDERS and external parties on behalf of President
• MANAGEMENT TEAM: leads progress monitoring of goals and annual plans of President’s direct reports to support President in preparation for regular check-in’s 
• ED COMMUNITY: serves as a chief aide and liaison to the community 
• CANDIDATES: works with HR in providing point of contact for high potential talent prospects; conducts informational interviews and works with HR leadership to steward experience through KIPP
• CONSULTANTS: assists in screening and selection of consultants on special projects; manages overall relationship to ensure alignment and successful execution
• In partnership with the President’s Executive Assistant, proactively manages and serves as GATEKEEPER TO THE PRESIDENT’S CALENDAR, providing counsel on prioritization and regular assessment of how time is being managed
  • Partners with Network Growth Team to proactively manage President travel throughout the KIPP network in support of regional growth and coordinate production of briefing materials

   *      *      *       *      *

Qualifications

Other key qualifications for both roles, include:

• Bachelor’s degree required. MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to Equity and Social Justice.
• Experience with educational organizations, non-profit management, and/or non-profit consulting, is preferred.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including the interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills necessary to build rapport easily with new contacts and cultivate relationships within the KIPP community and on behalf of organization
• Excellent verbal/written communication and listening skills; communicates persuasively and articulately.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Self-directed and results-oriented, demonstrating initiative and follow-through.
• Strong process and project management skills. Ability to drive projects from inception to completion, facilitate discussions and engage others in collective problem solving and collaboration.
• Experience working in a geographically distributed organization.
• Comfort with budgets and financial projections.
• Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times.

Additional Information

LOCATION & EMPLOYMENT STATUS

We are currently working in a telework environment because of COVID-19.  When it is safe to return to the office, this position can be be based in any one of the KIPP Foundation’s offices (New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago) or can be remote.  The Chief of Staff will be expected to travel to key events, board meetings, and presentations (~25%). This is a full time, exempt position.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

KIPP offers competitive salary commensurate with experience. A comprehensive benefits package, generous vacation and PTO, 401k retirement plan with both pre- and post-tax options, as well as gym reimbursement, flexible spending account (FSA), and cell phone reimbursement are also offered by KIPP. 

KIPP Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.