Vice President of Academics & Instruction

Position type: Full time exempt 12 Month    

Reporting & Collaboration

• Direct Manager: Chief Schools Officer (CSO) accountable for school leader supervision and overall school performance.

• Direct Reports: Curriculum Managers Academic Data Specialist Director of Special Populations Assistant Manager of Compliance and the Director of Professional Learning.

• Key Collaborators: VP of Student Services & Experience Regional Director of Operations Special Populations leaders school leaders and cross-functional regional teams to ensure instructional systems are aligned and feasible for school implementation.

Autonomy & Decision Making

• This role owns regional academic strategy and the quality of instructional systems including curriculum assessments instructional frameworks and professional learning design standards. The VPAI sets clear expectations tools and rhythms for instructional quality; manages and develops regional academic leaders; and partners with school leaders to support high-fidelity implementation. The VPAI is accountable for continuous improvement of academic systems using data and evidence of impact.

Inputs: What will I be doing in my day to day work

Academic Vision & Strategy

• Own the K12 academic vision instructional framework curriculum and assessment strategy.

• Set regional standards for instructional quality and coherence.

• Ensure alignment of academic systems to strategic priorities.

Instructional Quality & Implementation

• Establish walkthrough look-fors and tools for instructional quality.

• Monitor fidelity of curriculum and assessment implementation.

• Use data to drive continuous improvement of academic systems.

Professional Learning Systems

• Set the vision scope and quality bar for regional professional learning.

• Supervise and develop the Director of Professional Learning and curriculum leaders.

• Ensure PD systems lead to measurable changes in adult practice.

Leader Support (Non-Evaluative)

• Provide non-evaluative instructional coaching and technical assistance to school leaders.

• Partner with CSO to align leader instructional development to school priorities.

• Support leaders in translating regional priorities into school-level execution.

Leadership & Teaming

• Lead and develop regional academic leaders.

• Partner cross-functionally with the VP of Student Experiences and the Director of Regional Operations

• Drive coherence across regional academic initiatives.

Outcomes: What will I be evaluated on

• Coherent high-quality academic systems (curriculum assessments instructional frameworks professional learning standards) implemented with fidelity across schools.

• Measurable improvements in instructional quality and student achievement aligned to the regional strategic plan.

• Effective development and performance of regional academic leaders (Curriculum Managers Director of Professional Learning).

• Demonstrated improvements in implementation fidelity and instructional practice based on data-informed strategy adjustments.

• Strong partnership with school leaders resulting in effective translation of regional academic priorities into classroom practice.

What skills should I already bring i.e. what should I already have a track record around

• Managing through ambiguity 

• Ability to make contingency plans and see around corners to determine appropriate course(s) of action 

• Having crucial conversations

• Setting ambitious goals and driving results 

• Designing and leading instructional professional development for both classroom teachers and school leaders 

• Using data to drive continuous improvement 

• Leading teams and cross-functional initiatives managing leaders through cross-functional systems and 

• Driving results in a K-12 district.

What should I know a lot about already i.e. what should I have expertise in

• Leading academic strategy or instructional improvement 

• Designing evaluating and improving professional learning systems for educators

• Special education UDL or inclusive instructional design

• High-performing network environments and

• Strong understanding of adult learning theory.

KIPP uses Indicators of Excellence (IOE) to codify what great looks like in daily work.  For this role the IOEs include:

• Ownership and Stewardship: Takes responsibility for the integrity of strategic execution governance and compliance systems. Ensures no ambiguity around who owns priorities or outcomes.

• Monitoring and Quality: Builds disciplined review cycles and quality assurance mechanisms that prevent fragmentation and ensure strong follow-through.

• Coherence: Aligns initiatives across departments so that strategy resources and execution are integrated rather than siloed.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ensures that data systems are accurate transparent and used to drive action. Elevates leading indicators and performance dashboards to  the KIPP St. Louis Cabinet and Board of Directors.

Qualifications :

Required

• 5 years of successful classroom teaching experience with a record of results

• Experience leading academic strategy or instructional improvement

• Demonstrated credibility designing and leading instructional professional development for both classroom teachers and school leaders.

• Experience using data to drive continuous improvement

• Proven ability to lead teams and cross-functional initiatives

• Demonstrated experience managing leaders through cross-functional systems

• Proven track record of driving results in a K-12 district

• Formal training or certification in special education UDL or inclusive instructional design

• Advanced degree in education leadership or adult learning

• State teaching or administrative certification

• Demonstrated experience designing evaluating and improving professional learning systems for educators

Preferred

• 5 years of experience as principal or principal manager

• Experience in high-performing network environments

• Network-level or multi-school academic leadership experience

• Strong understanding of adult learning theory

Additional Information :

What we bring to the table:

KIPP St. Louis is committed to pay equity and to ensuring that we do not unintentionally perpetuate historic wage gaps that persist due to individual negotiations.  As a result salaries are not negotiated.  We are transparent about salaries in our job postings so that candidates can make an informed decision before beginning the hiring process.  The salary range is $135000-$165000. This role is performance bonus eligible. 

We are a fast paced energetic team and family with passionate people who are leading a movement and to cultivate their best working environment we provide the following:

• $0 deductible healthcare plan option including medical vision and dental. 

• Employer Paid Short Term Disability. 

• $50000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee. 

• Retirement plan through PSSRSSL with an employer match up to 14% and an optional 403b as a supplement to our pension program

• Employee Recognition: When we succeed together we celebrate together with our annual gala award ceremony holiday party and more!

• Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer. 

• Ongoing professional development.

Generous time off:

• Paid leave for illness personal days bereavement jury duty and military-related leave

• Paid parental leave for new families

• Paid holidays as well as a one week Thanksgiving break a two-week winter break a week-long spring break

• Wellness days provided throughout the year

Hiring Timeline and Steps

This role will be posted from February 24-February 29.  The interview process will take place in March.  The anticipated start date for the role is as soon as possible with the latest start of July 6 2026. 

If you are interested in working at KIPP St. Louis please visit our website below to apply! 

                                                                    out our KIPP St. Louis video to learn more about KIPP St. Louis Public Schools!

KIPP St. Louis is committed to creating a diverse equitable and inclusive environment for all our students families teachers staff and community members. As an equal opportunity employer we hire without consideration to race religion creed color national origin age gender sexual orientation marital status veteran status or disability. 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time