Vice President, Equity and Diversity

About The Position 

The Vice President of Equity and Diversity is one of the most consequential roles at the KIPP Foundation. This person is responsible for ensuring that equity is not just a value we hold it is a standard we build into how the network runs how we measure success and how we respond when students at the margins are not getting what they deserve. The core purpose of this role is clear: to interrupt patterns of inequitable student outcomes across the KIPP network. 

This is a system architect and field leader in one. At the network level the VP of Equity sets the expectations and criteria by which disparities are identified named and addressed embedding equity into our core planning cycles progress monitoring processes and action step routines so that disaggregated analysis is not optional but standard. At the regional level this person goes where the work is hardest. When persistent patterns of inequitable outcomes demand direct engagement the VP of Equity works alongside Regional Superintendents and regional senior leadership to guide strategy support key decisions and assess progress in real time. 

The VP of Equity works in close partnership with the Chief Schools Officer who is the ultimate decision-maker on where direct regional engagement is deployed. The VP brings rigorous analysis and a clear recommendation informed by data by input from Regional Superintendents through the RAPID framework and by a deep understanding of what regions need and the Chief Schools Officer determines where and how the Foundations equity resources are directed. This is a high-trust relationship that requires both analytical sharpness and strong alignment with the CSOs vision for what equitable outcomes look like across the network. 

This role also drives the cross-functional coordination that equity work requires. Student outcomes do not live in one lane they are shaped by instructional practice operational systems talent decisions and data infrastructure. The VP of Equity works across Schools Operations Data and other functions to ensure that the networks approach to equity is coherent coordinated and impossible to siloing. 

The right candidate pairs deep technical expertise in equity with the strategic judgment to navigate complex politically sensitive situations and the interpersonal credibility to influence senior leaders. They are energized by the chance to shape how a national network runs and by the responsibility of ensuring that the students most on the margins are never an afterthought. 

Responsibilities 

Equity in System Design Implementation and Accountability 

• Set network-wide expectations and criteria for how disparities are identified named and addressed  establishing a clear consistent standard that applies across all regions and all functional areas. 

• Embed equity into core planning cycles progress monitoring processes and action step routines ensuring that disaggregation is not an add-on but a built-in feature of how the network monitors and responds to student outcomes. 

• Monitor network-wide trends and progress toward equity goals; identify patterns across regions and shape system-level responses solutions and learning opportunities. 

• Evaluate proposed practices for disparate impact before they scale; build the analytical infrastructure and feedback mechanisms that surface equity risks early and consistently. 

• Identify and scale effective practices across regions ensuring that what works in one context becomes a learning opportunity for the full network. 

Regional Equity Engagement and Intervention 

• Design and implement a methodology  in partnership with Regional Superintendents and Schools Team Leadership - to determine which regions require deeper structured support based on the severity and persistence of disparities in anchor metrics. 

• Bring forward clear recommendations to the Chief Schools Officer on where direct regional engagement is warranted drawing on data analysis and input from Regional Superintendents through the RAPID framework. 

• Once deployed co-lead equity work in highest-need regions alongside Regional Superintendents and regional senior leadership guiding strategy supporting key decisions and assessing progress with the urgency and rigor the situation demands. 

• Interrogate root causes and recommend a clear measurable timebound course of action where we see persistent discrepancies in our outcomes.  

• Work with Equity Leads to build ongoing regional capacity and ensure that equity work continues with depth and consistency between direct engagements. 

Cross-Functional Alignment 

• Drive cross-functional coordination across Schools Operations Data Talent and other functions to ensure a coherent unified approach to equity across the network preventing equity from being siloed into a single team or lane. 

• In partnership with the Chief Schools Officer and Chief of Staff ensure that internal Schools Team systems including data review processes regional support allocations and accommodations decisions are consistent with the Foundations commitment to equity. 

• Collaborate with senior leaders across divisions on strategic planning executive-level discussions and network-wide alignment work where equity is a central consideration. 

Leadership Development & Field Stewardship 

• Develop Equity Leads to support ongoing regional equity work building their capacity to sustain and deepen the work between direct engagements and over time. 

• Support the development of anti-racist leadership and mindsets across KIPP Foundation teams; design and implement professional development opportunities for program staff with an emphasis on closing disparities and building racial equity awareness. 

• Model a culture of candor learning and accountability on equity within the KIPP Foundation pairing rigorous analysis with the interpersonal depth that unlocks real change in systems and in people. 

• Represent KIPP externally on equity partnering with sector peers funders and research organizations to build the knowledge base and advance the field. 

Qualifications :

Skills and Mindsets 

• Mission and Student Focus: Demonstrates passion and commitment to KIPPs mission and possesses the desire and ability to uphold KIPPs Core Values (Focus on Excellent Results Collective Impact and Courageous Action)  

• Self Management: Demonstrated record of setting and achieving ambitious goals for their departments in complex or ambiguous environment; uses data research and analysis to set a high bar of excellence for goal setting; effectively distributes and redistributes work among direct reports teammates and teams to optimizes goal attainments; effectively sets and fosters a culture that enables and celebrates teammates achievements and goals attainment. 

• Problem Solving: Takes calculated risks to test and implements correct scalable solutions. Addresses the root of problems and removes obstacles from work. Understands how solutions may unearth other obstacles further downstream. 

• Data-Driven Actions and Decisions: Effectively uses data to shape teamwide decisions and the learning agenda or evaluation of a function or significant initiative. Able to generate implement and evaluate solutions with a focus on scalability and sustainability. 

• Communication and Change Management: Effectively articulates case for change to multiple functions teams and/or offices through clear and compelling presentations tailoring communications and engagement approach for different audiences. Effectively translates vision into actionable plans among across team stakeholders; Champions KF and networkwide change with all stakeholders. 

• Collaboration: Identifies and leverages opportunities with both internal and external stakeholders to increase impact. Leads successful collaboration across functions and evolves plans to get strong results. Has the interpersonal diplomatic relationships building and communication skills to connect and compel teammates across different functions to collaborate effectively toward shared goals. 

Experience and Qualifications 

• 10 years of progressive experience in equity diversity inclusion organizational development or related systems-level leadership work ideally in K-12 education or complex nonprofit environments. 

• Proven record of designing and implementing equity-centered systems at scale policy frameworks practice guidelines and measurement approaches that drive organizational accountability. 

• Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives on sensitive complex and contested issues; strong judgment about when to push when to partner and when to hold the line. 

• Strong fluency with data disaggregation and equity measurement able to define what success looks like and drive organizational accountability against it. 

• Deep expertise in racial equity diversity and inclusion across adult workforce and student-facing practices. 

• Strong track record of navigating cross-functional and cross-regional stakeholder environments in high-trust high-stakes conditions. 

• Prior practitioner experience in K-12 is strongly preferred (e.g. teacher school leader or equivalent role with direct student/family-facing accountability)  

Additional Information :

Work Conditions 

• Moderate Travel: 11-20% (20-40 days per year) 

• Full time Exempt 

Location 

It is preferred but not mandatory for this role to be based out of a KIPP Foundation office. This role has the option of working from a remote office full-time. KIPP Foundation offices are in NYC and Chicago. 

Compensation and Benefits 

In compliance with local law we are disclosing the compensation or a range thereof for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including but not limited to external market data internal equity and relevant experience. The salary range for this position is $197600-$236500. In addition KIPP Foundation provides a variety of benefits to employees including: 

• 25 holidays for  18 days additional flexible PTO days (flexible PTO increases to 23 days for years 3 and 4 and to 28 days for years 5). 

• 100% paid parental leave 

• 100% coverage of the premium for employee and 75% for employee familys medical/dental/vision plans. 

• Wellness benefits such as fitness reimbursements discounted tickets to theme parks/attractions backup care support for children and adults/elders and our employee assistance program 

• Finance Security benefits include such as a 401K retirement plan with 4% match employer-sponsored legal plans life/disability insurance and flexible spending accounts 

KIPP Foundation embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the students and communities with whom we work and the world thats around them. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit without regard to race color religion national origin gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression age mental or physical disability and genetic information marital status citizenship status military status protected veteran status or any other category protected by law. 

Remote Work :

Yes

Employment Type :

Full-time