Head of Schools

About KIPP Nashville Public Schools 

KIPP Nashville Public Schools is a network of high-performing, free, open-enrollment K-12 schools that has been committed to positively affecting student outcomes in Nashville since 2005. KIPP Nashville is part of the acclaimed KIPP Network, which educates 100,000+ students nationwide and supports students from Pre-Kindergarten through college, career and beyond. Through the KIPP Forward program, our team helps students identify their career of highest aspiration and develop the skills and confidence to chase their dreams. KIPP Nashville currently operates 4 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools and educates over 3,000 students in the Nashville metropolitan area.

The mission of KIPP Nashville is together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence they need to pursue the paths they choose - college, career and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our core values are GROWTH, TEAM, and SHINE. If you share in these beliefs and values, if you have a proven willingness to do what it takes for students to be their best, if you thrive in an environment that is both collaborative and entrepreneurial, then you are already a KIPPster.

Position Overview

The Head of Schools (HOS) is a senior leader at KIPP Nashville, contributing to fulfilling KIPP Nashville’s ambition in meaningful ways. The HOS drives student outcomes through vision casting, program design and leadership, and Principal and leader management. The HOS is an expert at school leadership and understands instruction, academic operations, believes in family engagement, and has experience building strong school culture with staff and students. The HOS reports to the Chief of Schools and will guide, support and lead a cohort of Principals.

Responsibilities of the Head of Schools will include, but are not limited to:

Principal Management & Training

• Manage, supervise, and evaluate a cohort of Principals to drive towards school improvement initiatives and regional results.

• Provide differentiated management and coaching support to Principals and as a group across the breadth of competencies, including (but not limited to):

  • Instructional knowledge

  • Teacher and Assistant Principal coaching/development

  • School culture and operational management

  • Staff culture and management

  • Family engagement

  • Time management/effective planning & prioritization

• Effectively and regularly evaluate school, Principal, and School Leadership Team (SLT) strengths and needs 

• Analyze and respond to school-wide data and be equipped to report findings out to the region and to support interventions

• Design and execute Principal and Assistant Principal training and professional development, in partnership with the Chief of Schools, Chief Academic Officer and Academic Team members

• Create tools and exemplars to support Principal execution – on boarding materials, AP coaching materials, SLT meeting agendas, etc.

• Serve as first point of contact for Principal in troubleshooting family/staff concerns, student crises, etc. and support Principal in resolving issues appropriately, quickly and effectively

• Serve as interim Principal when unplanned gaps in leadership occur

Build Academically Excellent and Joyful Schools

• Support Principals to internalize and implement academic and school culture strategy within and across school campuses

• Facilitate annual planning processes, including master schedule development, with a cohort of Principals in alignment with regional and KIPP Foundation goals

• Closely monitor progress towards short and long term goals and initiatives

• Examine student learning and culture data within and across schools to identify school and cohort priorities

• Collaborate with regional leaders to implement initiatives aligned to school, cohort, and org-wide priorities

• Champion English-learners, students with IEPs and 504s to receive exceptional services and support in compliance with state and federal regulations

• Support the development of strong school operational systems and processes with a focus on data collection and strategic scheduling

Data Use, Data Reporting & Analysis

• Leverage data strategically to support Principals in meeting their all of the school’s goals

• Drive goals and use data in making decisions, providing in-depth monitoring of regional performance metrics and producing compelling plans to motivate and inspire others to act and share investment in achieving outcomes

• Support school-based instructional and culture staff using data tools and reports for continuous improvement

• Provide additional data reporting and analysis for external accountability, compliance, surveys, operations evaluation, or development tasks

• Analyze school performance management data to identify gaps in school design and make necessary adjustments for successful outcomes and compliance

Regional Support & Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the Regional Leadership Team (RLT), working closely with the Chief Team to inform decision-making and shape the direction of the organization

• Work closely with academic team members who are supporting schools

• Inform region wide school design – academics, culture, staffing, schedules, etc.

• Support regional talent assessments and Principal succession planning

• Liaises with external stakeholders, community agencies, donors, and other third-party constituencies.

The Head of Schools will have a deep passion for building great schools, a commitment to academic excellence – including a demonstrated belief that students of all backgrounds deserve access to excellent instruction – and extensive experience as a school leader.  He/she is excellent at building relationships with network leaders, school leaders, teachers, students and families. The individual will have a history of collaborating with diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve ambitious outcomes, an established track record of leading change management efforts, coaching others to achieve outcomes,  and an ability to influence others especially when no direct reporting relationship exists. Additionally, successful candidates will leverage data and excellent listening skills to shape their perspective and resulting programs and strategies.

Desired Experience

• 3+ years experience as the principal or principal-manager for a high-performing school or network

• Ability to build relationships, impact & influence, and motivate action to achieve results

• Desire and ability to drive improvements through others

• Excellence reflex – makes places better through presence, coaching, and development

• Systems-orientation and thinking -- someone who can build systems and bring a vision to life

• Ability to view the work from a K-12 perspective, and the impact of K-12 decisions on postsecondary outcomes for kids

• Bachelor's degree required

Desired Characteristics

• Unwavering commitment to KIPP Nashville’s mission, students, families, and community

• Demonstrates excitement in growing students into their highest selves

• Excellent communication skills with diverse constituents; clear writer, facilitator and speaker and eagerness to collaborate

• Demonstrate commitment to continue their professional development individually, eager to offer and respond positively to feedback

• Ability to tackle multiple projects and initiatives at once with a strong sense of organization, prioritization, follow through and results orientation

• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, be flexible, and willing to go above and beyond to meet the varied needs of students

Compensation

Our comprehensive compensation package includes life insurance and long-term disability coverage provided by KIPP Nashville, voluntary medical and dental plans, in addition to retirement benefits and an annual salary increase. To establish equitable salary practices, the compensation package is derived from the regional KIPP Nashville Public Schools pay scale. This position is exempt and will follow a 12-month schedule.

Please contact recruiting@kippnashville.org with any questions.

KIPP Nashville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.