Job Description

_ Position Overview:_

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as KIPP NYC’s chief architect for teaching and learning - responsible for driving systems, practices, coherence, and innovation that consistently deliver exceptional academic results across 18 schools serving nearly 10,000 students.

The CAO leads a large, high-performing Teaching & Learning team that includes the Managing Directors of Teaching & Learning, Student Support Services, and a broader team of approximately 30 content and student support experts. This leader will ensure KIPP NYC’s academic programs are rigorous, affirming, and aligned from kindergarten through high school and that every student graduates prepared for a life of choice and opportunity.

This is a pivotal moment for KIPP NYC. With strong academic foundations, a highly tenured staff, and an evolving leadership team, the CAO will inherit a thriving yet complex system poised to reach the next level of excellence and equity.

The right leader will be a systems builder and a teacher’s teacher who centers students first. Their uncompromising bar for rigor, excellent teaching, and student outcomes is strengthened by a deep belief in our students’ potential. This leader’s curiosity compels them to innovate, whether in teacher practice or in student experience, to unlock new learning heights. KIPP NYC’s next CAO will be a leader whose credibility comes from deep instructional expertise, strong relationships, and a track record of getting life-changing results for kids at scale.

Reporting Structure & Location

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a core member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the CAO will join a team of experienced executives who prioritize collaboration; value vulnerability, humility, and direct feedback; and view themselves as collectively responsible for the organization’s talent, culture, long-term organizational health, results, and broader impact. The SLT prides itself on holding the nuance and complexity of leading a large organization at scale, while understanding the importance of proximity to change leadership. This is a full-time, in-person role based in New York City.

** Specific responsibilities include:**

Vision & Academic Leadership

• Champion a clear, coherent vision for KIPP NYC’s academic program that drives equitable, high achievement for all students.
• Set annual and multi-year academic goals, benchmarks, and metrics for student outcomes across grade bands and content areas.
• Lead the Teaching & Learning and Student Support teams to deliver a rigorous, aligned, and joyful instructional experience across all schools.
• Partner with the Chief Schools Officer to align and co-lead academic strategy and school execution through shared structures, data cycles, and professional learning.

Instructional Systems & Program Design

• Oversee curriculum, assessment, and professional learning systems that translate vision into daily practice in classrooms.
• Balance innovation with implementation - ensuring that systems are engineered for clarity and consistency without sacrificing teacher autonomy or student joy.
• Lead data use and progress monitoring across the network, turning insights into actionable moves for school leaders and teachers.
• Innovate, experiment, and move KIPP NYC to what’s next in education by leveraging scale for its opportunities to study, test, and pilot new standards.
• Connect data-driven instructional insights and assessment to KIPP NYC’s Graduate Aims to evaluate our ultimate student success outcomes.
• Serve as the organization’s key liaison to the KIPP Foundation on academic strategy.

Collaboration & Organizational Alignment

• Work in close partnership with the CEO and other senior leaders to align academic, operational, and cultural priorities with KIPP NYC’s long-term vision for elevating student and community power.
• Partner with the Chief Schools Officer to co-lead academic systems, professional development, and academic performance management.
• Collaborate with the Chief Information Officer to deliver aligned data, technology, and operational systems that drive teaching and learning.
• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and Board on academic strategy and student outcomes.
• Build trust-based relationships across schools and central teams, bridging instructional strategy with on-the-ground practice.

Talent Development & Team Leadership

• Manage and coach senior direct reports, fostering a culture of high expectations, trust, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• Build leadership and learning pipelines for content directors, instructional deans, and future school leaders.
• Model visible, school-based leadership by spending significant time in classrooms, coaching leaders, and observing instruction.
• Ensure the retention and stability of the Teaching & Learning team through clear communication, shared purpose, and meaningful professional growth.

Key Priorities in the First 12-18 Months

The first chapter of this leader’s tenure will be about listening, aligning, and accelerating. Success will be measured not only by outcomes, but by clarity, trust, and momentum across schools and teams.

Key Priorities:

• Build deep trust and collaboration with the Chief Schools Officer to clarify roles, decision-making lanes, and shared accountability for results.
• Build relationships and establish coaching trust across the Teaching & Learning team and with school leaders through visible presence in schools, transparent communication, and consistent follow-through.
• Assess and refine academic systems - including curriculum, assessment, and data cycles - to ensure coherence, consistency, and a balance between rigor and joy in classrooms.
• Elevate instructional rigor and student learning quality by defining clear expectations for what great teaching and learning look and feel like across K-12.
• Invest in people: retain and develop high-performing instructional and student-support leaders; launch or strengthen pathways for aspiring principals, deans, and content leads.
• Re-anchor the academic vision in results for students, driving measurable improvement in literacy and math proficiency and closing persistent gaps.
• Model visible, values-based leadership that reaffirms KIPP NYC’s commitment to joyful, equitable, high-expectation schooling.

*How to Apply: KIPP NYC has engaged JoHo Talent Network to lead the search for our Chief Schools Officer. To apply, please complete the application here by December 22, 2025.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in K-12 education, including at least 5 years of system-level instructional leadership (e.g., CAO, Managing Director of Teaching & Learning, or similar).
• Proven track record of driving significant student achievement gains and closing equity gaps.
• Deep expertise in curriculum, assessment, and data-driven instruction.
• Experience leading large, diverse teams (20+ staff) and developing leaders at multiple levels.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with school leaders and executive teams in complex organizations.
• Prior experience in charter management organizations or public school systems of comparable scale preferred.
• Master’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Leadership Approach

• A collaboration-first leader who understands that the SLT is their “first team,” and believes the most important part of their title is the “Chief,” and not its functional modifier.
• A teacher’s teacher with an uncompromising belief in what students can achieve and a crystal-clear vision for high-quality instruction.
• Balances data literacy and practical wisdom - translating numbers into moves that change classroom practice.
• Leads through influence and relationships, earning trust rather than demanding compliance.
• Values collaboration, vulnerability, humility, and candor; builds psychological safety and shared accountability.
• Grounded in equity and committed to ensuring that every child thrives academically and socially.

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $265,000 - $285,000. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity, accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities, and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band.

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

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match after 6 months.
• 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 an 8-week 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 is a full-time, in-person role based in New York City 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._

*How to Apply: KIPP NYC has engaged JoHo Talent Network to lead the search for our Chief Schools Officer. To apply, please complete the application here by December 22, 2025.