[2025-2026] Director of Communications and Special Projects - High School

The Communications and Special Projects Director (CSPD) is responsible for managing and executing smooth project and event operations of the school and ensuring timely and consistent staff and student/family communications. This role also includes oversight of student and family programming. It requires strong communication interpersonal organizational and project management skills with the ability to multitask and problemsolve effectively.

The CSPD ensures that special project related staff and student needs are addressed that event facilities and tech systems are in good working order and that daily event logistics and special projects are executed as planned and with excellence along with any additional community needs. The CSPD is a member of the Operations team and reports directly to the Senior Director of Operations (SDOO).

Core Functions Oversees and manages core systems ensuring processes and events are successfully executed:

• Staff and Student/Family Calendar
  • Creates and updates staff and family calendars.
  • Oversees calendar accuracy and alignment across teams and student programming.
• Monthly Staff Communication (KIPP Notes)
  • Collects and organizes updates from managers and department heads for monthly KIPP Notes and oneoff communications.
  • Ensures timely and effective communication of important updates emergency info and events via the schools communication platform and social media.
• Student and Family Communication
  • Oversees content quality and timeliness of all student/family communications.
  • Reviews OCA messaging for consistency and alignment with school events and priorities. 
  • Collect and organize weekly and special events communications for students and families Bulldog Bulletin.
  • Ensures timely and effective communication of important updates emergency info and events via the schools communication platform and social media.
• Manage School Website Canvas Accounts Social Media and Announcements
  • Maintains current and relevant content.
  • Coordinates with internal stakeholders to promote events and key information.
• Manage Staff Duty Hours
  • Coordinates staff coverage for afterschool Saturday and special events.
• Leads Family Community Association (FCA)
  • Coordinate biweekly family meetings.
  • Manages the Title 1 Family Engagement Grant and the Family Engagement Coordinators.
  • Oversees family communications and engagement efforts including those led by the Student Affairs Manager (SAM).
  • Engages families in academics and student programming with support from appropriate stakeholders (Directors of Humanities and STEM Academics and Data Systems etc.)
• Project and Event Management
  • Leads planning and execution of major school events such as (not limited to) Orientation BacktoSchool Night Report Card Nights and Graduation etc.
  • Supports the field trip structure and logistics in collaboration with the DOOs..
  • Oversees the execution of studentled and familyfocused events carried out by OCA.
• Oversees Student Affairs Programming
  • Provides guidance and oversight ensuring successful execution of:
    • Student Ambassadors
    • Student Government
    • Student Clubs and Organizations
    • Student Community Service
    • Peer Leadership Activities
    • Studentled events senior activities and reward trips
    • School Store operations
  • Supports alignment of student programming with schoolwide goals and culture.
• CrossFunctional Collaboration
  • Serves as liaison between operations academics and family engagement teams.
  • Works closely with operations and other stakeholders to ensure communication logistics and events are coordinated and missionaligned.
• Other operational responsibilities as needed. 

General Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Executes assigned daily duties.
• Resolves support requests and operational/project issues promptly.
• Supports the SDOO with special projects as needed and serves as the point person for all special projects work
• Supports the SDOO in executing systems that support the schools instructional vision
• Supports in ensuring that planned daily events are executed 
• Partners with operational and academic leaders to implement systems that advance instructional and school priorities.
• Escalates urgent concerns to SDOO and School Senior Leadership. 
• Participates fully in schoolwide staff responsibilities including trips events and family engagement.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Technical Skills
  • Required proficiency in Microsoft Office Google Workspace and familiarity with internal platforms such as PowerSchool Canvas DeansList and SchoolBookings helpful but not required.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple work streams timelines and deadlines.
  • Comfortable using data to inform planning improve communication systems and drive decisions.
• Building Relationships
  • Communicates with clarity and compassion adjusting tone and style for different audiences.
  • Builds trust and rapport across departments families and the broader school community.
  • Demonstrates empathy transparency and accountability in all interactions.
  • Proactively engages with stakeholders on difficult decisions
• Driving Results
  • Creates detailed work plans with timelines goals and followup steps.
  • Maintains urgency around meeting deadlines while staying flexible with shifting priorities.
  • Uses feedback and data to adjust systems and improve performance.
  • Recognizes strengths and areas of growth looking for opportunities to gain experiences that support development in both
  • Seeks clarification where lacking clear direction or unsure of next steps
  • Followsthrough on tasks in timely fashion
  • Organizes and ensures productive meetings or oneonones with clear agendas and followup action steps.
• Managing People
  • Supports and develops direct reports through clear delegation coaching and regular checkins.
  • Holds others accountable to set and achieve goals by monitoring progress towards successful completion of work (checkins timelines followup action items).
  • Models and develops expected character strengths attitudes behaviors and skills.
  • Creates systems to ensure clarity efficiency and consistent followthrough.
• Cultural Competence
  • Communicates and works effectively across lines of difference.
  • Considers cultural dynamics when designing and implementing systems.
  • Demonstrates openness to feedback around identity impact and inclusive practices.
• Student Focus
  • Centers on students needs in planning and decisionmaking.
  • Ensures all studentfacing systems and communications are inclusive affirming and responsive.

Qualifications :

• Bachelors Degree with at least 5 years of work experience  
• At least 3 years of experience managing a small team and multiple complex projects
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities across multiple teams of people with strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to the KIPP mission with schoolbased experience strongly preferred 
• Demonstrated ability to indirectly manage and influence teams and individuals to meet specific and strategic outcomes
• Strong analytical and problemsolving skills
• Team player with strong interpersonal/influence skills
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment

Additional Information :

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $100636 $176453. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and the scope of responsibility within the role. KIPP NYC will evaluate a candidates years of experience at point of hire to determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our Dean 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 TimeOff including 5 school vacation weeks sick and personal days and an extended summer break.
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Backup Child and Elder care.
• Employer paid Life Insurance and Short term/Long term disability.
• Employee incentives including 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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

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

KIPP NYC LLC is an antiracist organization that believes in the importance of being diverse equitable and inclusive. We are 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.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Fulltime