KIPP DC

Director of People Operations - Internal Only

Job Summary

The Director of People Operations role is an integral part of the broader HR team, serving as a lead in managing and integrating new HR related initiatives across all HR functions. The starting salary range for this role is $125,223-$138,403. This is a full-time, Hybrid flexibility role based at HDQ with an anticipated start date of August 2025.

This position is only open for current KIPP DC employees. The deadline for internal applicants to apply is July 11, 2025.

About KIPP DC

By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools and two programs, 7,500 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

About the Role

The Director of People Operations will play a significant role in developing new systems and processes within the broader HR landscape, and partner with relevant HR sub-teams to integrate these new systems within our current processes. This role is exempt and will report to the Managing Director of Human Resources.

As a Director, this position must also ensure adherence to established internal control policies and procedures and maintain compliance within the organization.

Location and Type of Work

This is an exempt position and will report to the Managing Director of Human Resources. 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. This position will generally work independently and not regularly interface with students, families, or school teams. This position will primarily work from our headquarters office to maintain a connection to their colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Because of the nature of this position’s work, this role allows for hybrid flexibility and will be required to be onsite 2 days per week.

Responsibilities

Lead high-stakes, cross-functional special projects (40% of time)

• Collaborate with talent and other cross-functional KIPP DC leadership to manage and lead talent work that is related to the strategic needs (major and minor builds) of the organization. Examples could include:
  • Organizational talent management
  • Staff attendance and coverage
  • Long-term compensation initiatives (eg, salary scale updates, HDQ compensation, and/or one-time stipend planning)
• Synthesize complex information, and translate it into clear presentations for a wide-range of audiences
• Lead priority updates with stakeholders to ensure they are aware of key initiative updates along the way

Supports HR Workstream Leads in Process Improvement for Increased Operational Effectiveness (30% of time)

• Collaborate with the managing director to identify areas of improvement and help support team leads to implement process changes
• Support HR workstream leads directly (as needed):
  • Help build documentation / processes / systems
  • Support individual workstreams in any immediate execution needs

Policy Planning and Implementation (20% of time)

• Work with functional leaders to recommend, research, analyze and draft new policies and make policy updates/revisions
• Support in implementation planning and execution of developed policies
• Maintain and upkeep major HR related policies over time to ensure these policies stay relevant/up-to-date, organized, and accessible for stakeholders

Assist the Managing Director of HR with team and professional development planning (10% of time)

• Partner with the Managing Director to execute and develop internal HR-based professional development. Examples include:
  • Design and implement internal team management systems like goal-setting and progress monitoring
  • Consult on overall team culture and sustainability
  • Plan and help execute any team-wide professional development opportunities
• Partner with the Managing Director to develop and execute any relevant external stakeholder professional development related to HR topics

Requirements & Preferences

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6+ years of human resources or strategy/consulting experience required
• 4+ years of experience managing cross-functional teams required

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or MBA preferred
• 5+ years of K-12 experience preferred
• Experience with HRIS systems required, Workday experience preferred.
• PHR or SPHR certification preferred

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel to KIPP DC schools if/when necessary
• Prolonged periods of sedentary work
• Ability to work outside normal business hours as projects needs require

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 $125,223-$138,403. 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.
• Currently, individuals in this role have up to 15 paid time off days, up to 10 paid sick days, and 12 paid holidays. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

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