Manager of Academic Operations
Job Summary
The Manager of Academic Operations role is an integral part of KIPP DC’s Academic team, accountable for driving and supporting key processes in supporting senior academic leaders and academic learning across the network. The starting salary range for this role is $78,436-$85,256. This is a full-time, with occasional flexibility role based at KIPP DC HDQ with an anticipated start date of August 15th.
About KIPP DC
For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.
Our work is grounded in five pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.
As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.
About the Role
The Manager of Academic Operations supports regional senior leaders to amplify the success and efficiency of KIPP DC’s academic team. This includes maintaining and optimizing systems, owning key professional development processes, leading procurement and budget tracking, leading the contracts process for the academic team, providing on-the-ground logistical support for academic events, etc. The manager of Academic Operations plays a key role in maintaining systems for the academic leadership team, and has the unique opportunity to work across a variety of functional teams.
Location and Type of Work
Occasional flexibility (4 days per week onsite)
As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support, and this position will regularly provide on-site support to school teams, frequently partner with other headquarters teams, or regularly work in multiple locations. Because of the nature of the work, this role allows for occasional flexibility and will be required to be onsite 4 days per week.
Responsibilities
The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.
- Manage large academic contracts and associated requisitions, invoicing, and receiving in Workday
- Partner with academic team leaders to draft RFPs and set KPIs
- Track the academic team’s budget, invoices, etc. to ensure the team manages to the financial plan and complies with internal controls and procedures
- Organize and manage all centralized Academic Team purchasing, including large curricular orders, regional orders for development sessions, items for academic team member programming, etc.
- Assist with Ramp credit card coding & receipt submission for Academic Team members
- Serve as the finance team liaison for the academic team to ensure compliance and partnership
- Serve as the legal team liaison for the academic team to ensure compliance and partnership
Regional Professional Learning Event Execution (25% of time)
- Coordinate the logistical planning and execution of major professional development strands (summer regional PD, school leader PD, professional development days, school leader retreats, etc.)
- Manage pre-event details including, but not limited to: executing event contracts, coordinating facilitators, ordering food, assembling materials, managing attendance, communicating to attendees, contributing to joy factor
- Direct and manage day of logistics (A/V, catering, vendor and event management, materials, etc.) for professional learning events
- Serve as the liaison between KIPP DC and external partners to ensure event success
Academic Operations Support & Execution (25% of time)
- Coordinate and execute scheduling, correspondence, and administrative tasks for the academic team
- Manage externs, contractors, and part-time workers on academic projects in collaboration with the Director of Academic Strategies
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across KIPP DC teams to advance academic goals
- Provide support to academic team on managing projects, deadlines and submissions related to One KIPP initiatives
Requirements & Preferences
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in team coordination, communications, management, teacher leadership, operational leadership, and/or project management
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree
- 4+ years’ PK-12 teaching or school-based leadership experience preferred; team leadership or management experience strongly preferred
- Experience in strategy, data analysis, project management, and budgeting
- Ability to work in a dynamic, fast paced environment and an eagerness to build relationships
- Strong judgment and decision-making skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel across KIPP DC schools.
- Flexibility to work outside normal business hours or weekends for KIPP DC events
Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:
- Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
- Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
- Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
- Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
- Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
- Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
- Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
- Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.
Benefits & Compensation [edited this section for your role]
KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:
- The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $78,436-$85,256. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
- KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
- KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 2 years experience in team coordination, communications, management, teacher leadership, operational leadership, and/or project management
- Ability to be onsite four days per week at headquarters
- Ability to travel across KIPP DC schools
- Flexibility to work outside normal business hours or weekends for events
- Manage contracts, requisitions, invoicing, and receiving in Workday (experience with Workday preferred)
- Experience with Ramp credit card coding & receipt submission or similar expense platforms
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, judgment, and decision-making
What We Do
KIPP DC is a network of high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools in Washington, D.C., committed to excellence, equity, and justice, aiming to develop students into future leaders.
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