Chief Schools Officer

KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful academically excellent and prepared students with the skills ability and confidence to pursue their paths to college career and beyond.

Located in both Albany and Troy NY KIPP Capital Region serves 2500 students in grades K-12 across seven schools. We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts. Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region we support every student and educator to see those gifts then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

We are committed to furthering anti-racism equity and racial justice in all our efforts and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students together.

How to Apply

This search is being conducted in partnership with The K12 Search Group an external recruitment firm. All interested and qualified candidates should apply directly via the link OVERVIEW

KIPP Capital Region seeks a Chief Schools Officer (CSO) to serve as the senior-most leader accountable for school-level results across the region. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Team the CSO ensures tight alignment of systems expectations and accountability across all KIPP Capital schools and leads the disciplined execution of regional initiatives that drive student achievement.

The CSO will lead the Schools Team which includes Principal Managers and Principals to implement systems not design them a responsibility held by the Chief Academic Officer (CAO). Through close partnership with the CAO and a clear delineation of roles the CSO will eliminate fragmentation ensure consistency and accountability across schools and drive measurable results through disciplined execution data-informed decision-making and rigorous evaluation of people programs and initiatives.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Schools Officer will be accountable for achieving ambitious regional outcomes including:

Academic Outcomes

• Achievement of annual New York State assessment goals in Reading and Math
• Achievement of K8 DIBELS benchmarks and literacy goals
• Strong high school academic outcomes including Regents passage rates GPA targets SAT goals and graduation indicators

Principal Leadership and Talent

• Development and retention of high-performing school principals
• Year-over-year movement in the principal Bar of Excellence tier distribution which tiers principals based on being on-track to achieve five key goals: ELA and Math state assessments (or graduation outcomes and SAT for high school) student persistence year over year attendance (both ADA and Chronic Absenteeism) and staff satisfaction as measured by TNTP survey data
• Retention of Tier 1 / Tier 2 principals
• Timeliness of underperformance interventions (no year-of-delay)

Organizational Coherence and Execution

• Strong execution and alignment across school-facing systems and initiatives
• Effective implementation of the Schools Team operating cadence and accountability systems
• Coherence of Schools Team operating systems and leadership execution

Qualities of KIPP Capital Region Leadership

The following leadership competencies define excellent performance in this role:

• Role Modeling and Integrity: Leads with authenticity ethical decision-making and alignment to KIPPs mission values and commitment to equity.
• Ownership and Accountability: Takes responsibility for outcomes monitors progress toward goals and holds self and others accountable with candor and urgency.
• Strategic Thinking: Translates regional priorities into actionable systems and structures that drive sustainable improvement.
• People Development: Develops principals and leadership teams through high-leverage coaching direct feedback and rigorous performance management.
• Communication and Influence: Communicates clearly and directly builds trust-based relationships and navigates complexity with transparency and professionalism.
• Reflection and Growth: Demonstrates self-awareness seeks feedback and engages in continuous learning to strengthen leadership practice and organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

School Support and Accountability

• Directly supervise and coach Managing Directors of Schools who coach and manage Principals.
• Lead how the region monitors diagnoses and intervenes with school performance.
• Conduct rigorous evaluations implement improvement plans and make high-stakes leadership decisions in the service of student outcomes.
• Demonstrated track record of giving principals direct evidence-based feedback in real time including the timely removal or transition of principals who do not meet the Bar of Excellence. The CSO does not let underperformance pattern across years.
• Steward the regional principal Bar of Excellence system including differentiated accountability structures autonomy levels and leadership expectations attached to each tier designation.
• Responsible for successful school launch including the first four weeks of school and monitoring key school performance metrics to determine support tier.

Academic Leadership and Results

• Responsible for the academic performance of KIPP CAPs seven schools.
• Partner with the Chief Academic Officer to ensure alignment between academic vision and execution and execute KIPP CAPs academic vision instructional standards and cohesive coaching systems through Managing Directors of Schools and Principals.
• Lead execution of instructional systems including academic progress monitoring and cohesive coaching cycles across all schools.
• Conduct classroom and system-level observations to identify gaps implement data-driven solutions and continuously improve teaching and learning.
• Cultivate and sustain learning environments where students feel supported engaged challenged and valued.
• Architect and steward a clear regional vision for school instructional culture and student experience.
• Develop and equip Principals and Principal Managers to lead culture effectively.

Leadership Development and Support

• Develop and retain high-performing school principals.
• Develop and oversee network-wide professional learning initiatives to strengthen leader and teacher effectiveness.
• The CSO sets explicit success criteria and pre-inspection checkpoints for all Schools Team-facing professional learning. Materials reach the CEOs desk only after they have met those criteria and received peer feedback from C-team colleagues.
• Partner with the Director of Leader Development to implement and execute a successful Principal-in-Residence program and secondary leader development programs.

Organizational Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve on the Executive Team contributing to overall organizational strategy and decision-making.
• Partner closely with the KIPP Foundation on academic priorities.
• Co-lead the Board Academic Committee with the Chief Academic Officer.
• Present academic progress and school performance updates to the Board and external stakeholders.
• Commit to furthering anti-racism equity and racial justice in all efforts and expect all stakeholders to participate in this work so that KIPP Capital Region can create a future without limits for students.
• Comply with all charter federal state and local laws and regulations including NYS Department of Education Department of Health and NYS Office of Children and Family Services requirements.
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures and support mission vision and values including participation in internal surveys and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

Cultural Competencies

The Chief Schools Officer embodies and advances KIPP Capital Regions mission values and commitment to educational equity through every aspect of leadership practice.

• Integrity above all: Transparent communication even when uncomfortable. No parallel conversations no triangulation no surprise pivots.
• Direct specific candor: Names patterns to colleagues in real time. Gives hard feedback as easily as praise.
• Receives feedback as a leadership skill: Asks for it; uses it; comes back.
• Owns the day end-to-end: When the CSO is accountable for a session decision or initiative they own the diagnosis the design the execution and the after-action.
• Stewards the teams vision not their own: Decisions are made in service of KIPP Capital Regions mission and the CEOs priorities not personal positioning.
• Commitment to equity and anti-racism: Leads with an explicit commitment to racial and educational equity and advances inclusive affirming environments for students and adults.

Required Experience Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year institution; masters degree in education or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional K12 experience including at least five years as a successful K12 principal with demonstrated student achievement results.
• At least two years of network district senior or chief-level leadership experience with demonstrated student achievement results.
• Experience teaching and leading in a high-performing charter or district school serving a student population similar to KIPP Capital Region.
• Strong instructional leadership people management coaching and systems leadership skills.
• Ability to work outside of business hours when needed to achieve goals.
• Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Preferred Experience Knowledge and Skills

• Experience scaling leadership systems across multiple schools or campuses.
• Experience managing differentiated principal autonomy and accountability systems.
• Experience supporting high school leadership teams and graduation-cohort outcomes.
• Deep familiarity with data-driven school improvement systems and instructional leadership practices.

WORK PERKS
When you join KIPP Capital Region you are joining in on our promise to families that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy numeracy and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop a passion for learning and the drive necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers leaders and architects of continued growth in the Capital Region. And while the biggest perk to working at KIPP Capital Region is doing work that makes a lifelong difference in the lives of our students youll find thats not the only benefit we offer:

• Flexible Work Arrangement
• Industry-leading medical dental and vision coverage
• Aggressive employer 403(b) contribution match
• Childcare benefits
• Unparalleled work/life integration
• Casual dress code
• Relocation stipend (conditions apply)
• And so much more! For more information on the benefits of joining KIPP Capital Region please view ourEmployee Benefits Summary.

Learn More:
KIPP Capital Region offers a competitive salary range for this role is $200000 $225000 based on years of experience. Additionally the position is eligible for a signing bonus of up to 20% and relocation support. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and longevity within the KIPP network. KIPP Capital Region will evaluate and determine the step/level at which a new hire will be placed within our salary grade scale at the point of hire.

This is a full-time exempt position with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. KIPP Capital Region Public Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

All staff and educators at KIPP Capital Region are committed to anti-racism and inclusion are part of a close-knit diverse community and are encouraged to show up authentically inspiring our children to do the same. Learn more about what its like to work at KIPP Capital Region: are very excited by your interest and are looking forward to reviewing your application. Our team will be in touch within 5-7 days after receiving your application submission.