Job Description

The Head of Schools (HoS) supports and manages principals at the middle school level in a consistent, well-informed manner leading to high-performance leadership that results in outstanding student and staff performance. They serve on the School Performance Team and report directly to the Chief Schools Officer. The Head of Schools works closely with the Chief Schools Officer to ensure regional academic alignment and impact on the KIPP Metro Atlanta annual priorities and initiatives.

The Head of Schools will be responsible for the student outcomes of KIPPsters in the schools they support. HoS are ultimately responsible for the academic and school culture outcomes of the students in the schools they support primarily by managing School Principals.

As a Head of Schools, your core responsibilities include:

Management and Leadership

Serve as the primary School Principal manager and coach to support School Principals (and any Fellows if applicable) in all aspects of managing a highly effective school:

• Hold School Leaders to academic, professional, ethical, values and other performance standards
• Support and manage School Leaders with the mission, beliefs, values, priorities, and initiatives of KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools
• Collaborate with external stakeholders and regional support teams (i.e. data, finance, talent, operations, etc.) to coordinate school support and hold schools accountable in all areas of compliance
• Ensure the development of School Leaders and support them as they develop members of their leadership teams
  • Serve as a thought partner to School Leaders as they lead their respective teams
  • Lead succession planning for School Leaders in the schools they support
  • Guide School Leaders as they develop Deans, Assistant Principals, and other leadership faculty
  • Manage School Leader transitions
• Work with Chief Schools Officer and School Leaders to develop and implement long-range plans for curriculum, instructional evaluation, and school improvement
  • Ensure that School Leaders have a clear, ambitious yet viable plan for improving instruction and school culture
  • Engage School Leaders in quarterly academic program analysis
• Serve as the primary coach for all staffing, culture, and talent developments development areas of the school
  • Work closely with the regional talent team and participate in any employee relations investigations and determinations
• Ensure that School Leaders have clearly articulated plans for daily operations and implementation of student services, including support services, discipline management, enrollment, parent and student satisfaction, as well as crisis intervention
• Participate in any major behavioral meetings
• Approve the student, family, and staff handbook at the beginning of the school year
• Stay well-informed of current educational thoughts, trends, and practices, as well as, proposed legislation impacting the schools
  • Keep School Leaders informed of any significant developments or changes in these areas

Leadership Development

Be responsible for Leadership Development:

• Collaborate with the MD of Talent and Chief Schools Officer to develop and implement a method for systematic performance evaluations of School Leaders and Assistant Principals
• Implement practices to appropriately recognize and reward excellence and to effectively address poor performance
• Participate in regional efforts to develop and implement a method for systematic performance evaluations of teachers
• Develop regional programming for and lead the Emerging Leaders cohort to build the region's bench-depth
• Plan and implement professional development opportunities for School Leaders
• Support School Leaders in developing Individual Development Plans (IDPs) leading to outstanding (above network average) HSR results
• Work with school leaders to create 70/20/10 plans or Performance improvement plans (PIPs) for each staff member to build a healthy leadership pipeline
• Assist School Leaders in the creation and implementation of effective professional development opportunities for their school faculty

Support KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools Leadership Team

• Inform and advise the Leadership Team about the programs, practices, and challenges of the schools they support
• Work with the regional leadership team to develop a vision and a comprehensive long-range plan as it relates to the actions of the primary, middle, or high schools
• Collaborate with each regional team to ensure that all of the development, operations, talent, HR, and finance needs of the schools are met

_Support onboarding & off-boarding of faculty: _

• Guide School Leaders in the hiring and management of KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools school faculty; ensuring schools are utilizing systems, tools, and processes created by the Talent Team
• Assist School Leaders in the creation and implementation of effective professional development opportunities for their school faculty

****Other

Perform general tasks that support the KIPP community:

• Serve as the liaison between the schools and external stakeholders, donors, and third-party constituents
• Work with the KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools Chief Schools Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer to approve and authorize legal contracts that relate to the schools
• Coordinate the required filing of reports with local, state, and federal education and regulatory agencies

Assist School Leaders with Budget Management

• Work with Principals and Chief of Finance to create and implement a comprehensive and fiscally sustainable annual operating budget for their school, for which the School Leader is ultimately responsible
• Supervise the School Leaders to ensure adherence to the Board-approved final budget as well as an ongoing commitment to KIPP Metro Atlanta’s goals of financial sustainability

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
• 4 years minimum experience leading a high-performing school, with success coaching and developing leaders
• Demonstrated success in providing financial oversight and managing a school budget
• Strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backward plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to detail and deliver consistent and timely results
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with an aptitude for 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
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel
• 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

Additional Information

Compensation:

We offer a competitive salary that depends on prior experience, as well as a benefits package including

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental)
• Life and Long-term Disability
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Insurance
• Enrollment in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (mandatory for all employees)

Statement of Non-Discrimination

KIPP Metro Atlanta is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school. KIPP Metro Atlanta does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.