KIPP Forward Director at KIPP

Miami, Florida, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

24 Apr, 26

Salary

115000.0

Posted On

24 Jan, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Data Management, Event Planning, Communication Skills, Problem Solving, Customer Service, Organization, Critical Thinking, Bilingual Skills, Collaboration, Coaching, Advising, Family Engagement, Career Counseling, Academic Support, Cultural Competence, Flexibility

Industry

Education Administration Programs

Description

Company Description About KIPP Miami KIPP Miami is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national nonprofit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools educating elementary, middle and high school students. KIPP has a 25-year track record of preparing students for success in college and life. Founded in 2018, KIPP Miami operates two nonprofit charter schools in Greater Miami’s Urban Core community. Currently, KIPP Miami educates students in grades K-4 at KIPP Royalty Academy and 5-8 middle school students at KIPP Courage Academy, and is opening three new schools in the 2026-2027 school year. Opening with an inaugural ninth-grade class and growing to serve grades 9–12, KIPP Miami Tech will provide students with the academic foundation, professional skills, and real-world experiences necessary to excel in college or career pathways. KIPP Miami Tech will offer three specialized career academies: Business, Commercial & Digital Arts, and Technology. Students will be able to graduate not only with a high school diploma, but also with college credits, industry-recognized credentials, and hands-on experience that provide a head start on their futures. Job Description The KIPP Forward Director plays a critical role in building the foundation for students’ long-term success, as well as laying the framework for a strong KIPP Forward department. This founding role supports 9th grade students in developing early college and career knowledge, skills, and mindsets, while guiding them through course selection, certifications, and dual enrollment opportunities that prepare them for high-quality career and postsecondary pathways, while simultaneously managing the vision, supporting systems and hiring to create a world-class counseling department. Team Leadership & Department Founding In Year 1 (Founding Year) Serve as both Director and primary counselor, directly advising the inaugural 9th grade class while establishing foundational systems, structures, and practices for a robust KIPP Forward program. Develop and codify the department’s vision, mission, and key performance indicators in alignment with KIPP Miami’s college and career readiness goals. Build and pilot data systems, advising protocols, family engagement strategies, and cross-department collaboration structures that can scale as additional grades and staff are added. Partner with school leadership to ensure KIPP Forward is embedded into the fabric of the school’s academic and cultural program. In Years 2 and Beyond (Team Growth) Recruit, hire, onboard, and coach a high-performing team of counselors and advisors as the department expands with each subsequent grade level. Provide ongoing professional development, observation/feedback cycles, and team retreats that grow staff expertise in postsecondary counseling, student advising, and data-driven practice. Establish a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the department. Develop succession planning and leadership opportunities (“building a bench”) within the counseling team to ensure long-term sustainability of the program Lead cross-functional collaboration with academic leadership, college/career partners, and regional/national KIPP Forward staff to align on best practices and maximize opportunities for students. Advising & Student Programming Conduct ongoing 1:1 check-ins with students beginning in 9th grade to: Assess their passion, purpose, and postsecondary plan. Monitor progress toward credit accumulation, diploma distinctions, and CTE certifications. Guide them in making informed and strategic course selections aligned with graduation requirements, Academy offerings and future goals, in partnership with the Director of Academic Operations, to maximize certification attainment, diploma distinctions and pathways to college matriculation Provide behavioral, attendance and academic support and problem solving to ensure students remain on track for on-time and accomplished graduation Support attendance initiatives through student and family engagement Coordinate school-wide college and career exposure events (special programming days, family night, etc), as well as executive functioning workshops, in collaboration with grade-level leadership Plan and lead college and career visits off-campus Support students with 3.5+ GPA in submitting quality applications to and ultimately enrolling in strong, vetted pre-college programs, internships and dual enrollment courses during the summer Consistently cultivate, monitor and share key opportunities for students to further their college & career readiness in and out of school (participation in clubs, coordinating Zero prep, sharing community resources, etc.) Family Programming Maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of students by providing regular updates on student progress Plan and lead workshops for families on the essential topics related to high school and postsecondary success Data Management Track meeting notes and student data - both qualitative and quantitative - consistently and accurately Analyze student academic data to drive action planning and support plans Present key data trends to school staff and leadership to drive improvements and celebrate wins SAT Oversee execution of PSAT8/9 in conjunction with the Director of Academics Lead students in test taking strategies, pump up and investment in lead up to the PSAT8/9, and score analysis following the exam Communicate to families about the importance of the PSAT8/9 and student-level data In subsequent years, joining execute a robust and impactful SAT prep strategy with academic leaders Progress to Graduation Manage the schedule request platform in our Student Information System Oversee the schedule request process, ensuring all students select courses aligned with high-quality certification and diploma outcomes. Support students in completing credit recovery and tracking progress. Monitor state assessment performance and create targeted action plans to close gaps and strengthen graduation readiness. Review transcripts and recommend classes for new students. Qualifications Required Experience Bachelor's Degree Demonstrated experience working with traditionally underserved students and their families from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds Skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel) and Google Suite. Experience with database management and reporting (e.g., Salesforce, Overgrad). Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects. Customer service mindset with genuine care for students and families. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills; adept at analyzing data to generate meaningful insights. Event planning and execution experience. Bilingual skills preferred. Abilities Deep commitment to doing whatever it takes to ensure student and school success. Ability to build trusting relationships with students and families. Proactive problem-solving and anticipation of challenges. Calm, positive approach to high-stress situations. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. Strong belief in the potential of all students to pursue college and/or quality postsecondary pathways. Cultural competence and advocacy for equitable access to advanced coursework, certifications, and enrichment opportunities for historically marginalized students. Additional Information Compensation & Benefits KIPP Miami offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, a competitive 403(B) plan, and a school laptop. KIPP Miami offers competitive salaries to newly hired staff members. Salaries are set within a benchmarked range for the work being performed using industry standards. The expected salary range for this position is $95,000-$115,000, but may vary based on experience and alignment to the role. KIPP Miami is an equal opportunity employer #LI-MIA Grade Level: High Subject: College and Career Readiness Start Date: Next year opening Department: College & Career Counseling

Responsibilities

The KIPP Forward Director is responsible for establishing a robust college and career readiness program for 9th grade students, including advising, course selection, and managing the counseling department. This role also involves recruiting and developing a team of counselors as the program expands.