Director of Strategic Projects

Job Description

Projects belonging to this team include, but are not limited to: assessing the viability of school expansion, supporting the opening of new schools and growing feeder patterns within KIPP Texas, codifying cross-functional playbooks for various school opening scenarios, and shepherding the KIPP Texas multi-year and annual plan creation, execution, and progress monitoring.

This position may be based out of the Austin, Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio offices. Some travel may be required.

• Complex Problem Solving: Balance a data-driven, analytical, and rational problem solving skill set with the understanding that people and relationships matter (leading with both head and heart). Utilize both qualitative and quantitative data synthesis to formulate recommended solutions on the right path forward. Engage in innovative thought to solve complex problems the organization faces. Demonstrate an adaptive mindset with an ability to concurrently see the big picture while focusing on the details (can see the forest for the trees).

• Project Design and Planning: Collaborate with project sponsors to identify the objectives, scope, budget, and timeline for the project. Facilitate robust discussion around what is possible given the existing constraints and set clear goals and project limits. Create and manage robust project plans as needed to ensure project success. Create and implement a cycle of focused, productive meetings to drive the project from kick-off to completion.

• Risk Mitigation: Identify, analyze, and respond to risk factors throughout the life of the strategic project and in the best interests of its objectives. Elevate concerns, challenges, and roadblocks appropriately, and utilize impact and influence with stakeholders and leaders in recommending and implementing action plans to ensure effective and timely mitigation of issues.

• Progress Monitoring: Create, revise, and maintain the systems to monitor progress throughout the life of the strategic project, including cross-functional processes as necessary. Ensure that all assigned projects are completed on time, within scope and budget, and that project goals are achieved.

• Stakeholder Management: Identify all key stakeholders of the strategic project and create an engagement and/or change management plan that engages stakeholders at the right level and right time, including: developing agendas and facilitating cross-functional work group/project team meetings, engaging senior leaders across the network, and drafting communications to the Board and other high-level stakeholders. Intentionally build buy-in and gather feedback on the project when appropriate. Build influence across KIPP Texas to ensure project success.

• Team Culture: Contribute to Strategy Team culture through authentic engagement and participation in meetings and retreats. Participate actively in development opportunities, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sessions, and lead sessions for the team as asked and/or interested. Volunteer as interested to serve on the team’s Connection Committee. Give honest, constructive feedback via established feedback mechanisms (e.g., staff surveys) to ensure the continued improvement of the team and the organization. Seek to work by the values of the organization and to act in alignment with the Strategy Team’s community agreements. Represent the Strategy Team responsibly to other stakeholders within and outside the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year university.

• Minimum of 6-8 years of work experience in a project management, strategy, education, or consulting-type role preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to have impact and influence across multiple functional areas (e.g., academics, talent, finance, operations, etc.).

• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative.

• Experience fostering strong working relationships with C-level executive team members and senior leaders.

• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

• Excellent organizational and planning skills.

• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.

• Strong stakeholder management and service-orientation.

• Self-directed and results-oriented, demonstrating proactivity and follow-through.

• Experience with charter or charter-like schools, non-profit strategy, non-profit consulting, and/or with students in low-income urban environments is preferred, not required.

• Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times.

Additional Information

In addition to a competitive salary scale, a part of KIPP Texas’ competitive benefits options, KIPP offers all employees an $0 HMO plan for the employee only. In addition to our $0 plan, KIPP provides a $600 employer contribution towards a Health Savings Account and a variety of other supplemental benefits such as Dental, Vision, Short and Long-Term Disability, Pet Insurance, Life, etc.