KIPP St. Louis, Executive Director

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

KIPP St. Louis is a high-performing network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools serving over 2,000 students and supporting hundreds of alumni across St. Louis. Our mission is to provide a college-preparatory education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in high school, college, and beyond.

With six schools in our network—including elementary, middle, and high schools—KIPP St. Louis is committed to fostering a culture of academic excellence, community collaboration, and joyful learning, ensuring every child can create their future.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director (ED) is the visionary leader of KIPP St. Louis, responsible for driving the organization’s mission to operate high-performing, college-preparatory public schools. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED sets the strategic direction, oversees all instructional, cultural, operational, and financial aspects of the organization, and fosters a collaborative and cohesive culture across schools and regional offices.

This role requires a leader skilled in results-driven management and relationship-building, committed to educational equity, and equipped to guide the organization through opportunities and challenges while championing a mission of academic excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities of the Executive Director include:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a multi-year strategic plan to achieve exceptional student outcomes and organizational growth.
• Monitor progress, adapt strategies, and hold leaders accountable for results.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Academic and Operational Excellence

• Set high standards for academics, culture, and operations.
• Oversee systems that support sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Address gaps in academic and social-emotional learning through innovation and targeted supports.

Organizational Culture and Equity

• Foster a “One KIPP” culture of collaboration, equity, and inclusion across schools and teams.
• Build trust and transparent communication within and across regional and school teams.

Talent and Team Management

• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing leadership team.
• Invest in staff growth through competitive compensation and impactful professional development.
• Enhance staff retention by addressing challenges and celebrating contributions.

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Act as the public ambassador for KIPP St. Louis, elevating its reputation as a leader in public education.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, donors, policymakers, and community leaders.
• Advocate for resources and policies that benefit the organization and its students.

Board Collaboration

• Partner with the Board to set and execute organizational priorities.
• Provide regular updates on progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Support board member recruitment, engagement, and retention.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Strategic Leadership

• Ability to develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan that drives academic excellence and operational success.
• Skill in monitoring progress, adapting strategies, and holding teams accountable for results.
• Experience with organizational change management and navigating complex challenges.

Vision for Equity and Inclusion

• As the leader of an organization committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ED should have a strong dedication to confronting inequities, barriers, and policies and systems that impact historically marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities.
• Expertise in fostering an inclusive culture that values equity for students, families, and staff.

Team Building and Talent Development

• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and retain high-performing, diverse teams.
• Skilled at investing in professional growth and creating career pathways for staff.
• Adept at enhancing staff morale through recognition, competitive compensation, and clear development opportunities.

Relationship-Building and Collaboration

• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build trust with internal and external stakeholders, including families, staff, donors, and community leaders.
• Strength in fostering a collaborative culture that aligns regional and school teams around common goals.

Communication and Advocacy

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to act as the public ambassador for KIPP St. Louis.
• Ability to represent the organization effectively with policymakers, funders, and community partners.

Data-Driven Decision Making 

• Skilled in using data to inform decisions, monitor progress, and improve academic and operational outcomes.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement through measurable results.

Accountability and Transparency 

• Strong understanding of accountability systems to ensure compliance, effective operations, and alignment with goals.
• Comfortable making tough decisions and implementing transparent systems for tracking progress and maintaining trust.

Political Savvy and Fundraising

• Ability to navigate the political landscape in St. Louis and engage with donors and funders to secure resources.
• Experience building coalitions and partnerships that advance the organization’s mission and visibility.

Emotional Intelligence and Resilience

• High self-awareness, humility, and integrity to lead with empathy and build authentic relationships.
• Emotional fortitude to navigate adversity, manage complex feedback, and maintain focus on the mission.

Innovation and Problem-Solving 

• Strategic thinker who identifies potential challenges and develops innovative solutions.
• Willingness to take calculated risks to push the organization forward.

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Executive Director candidate will have/be:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of leadership experience in education, public charter systems, or non-profits.
• Demonstrated success in driving academic, operational, and cultural excellence through others.

This position offers a competitive salary range of $225,000 - $260,000, bonuses for performance, and generous benefits. More details can be provided upon request.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at https://apply.workable.com/j/9C2BBC6EDC/.

KIPP St. Louis is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required.