26-27 School Leader in Residence

Company Description

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate students in grades K-12 across 18 schools in Newark, Camden, and Paterson. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals.

Job Description

We anticipate beginning interviews in early-mid February 2026 and the full process concluding by March 2026, with July 2026 start dates. Applications received after February will be considered on a rolling, and as-needed basis.

Role Summary: School Leader in Residence

The ideal School Leader in Residence candidate is a leader seeking a future School Leader position as either a founder of new schools or successor at existing schools. You have a strong track record of successful outcomes achieved through your strategic and inspiring leadership of others.

Residents are enrolled in our rigorous Residency accelerator program to develop specific School Leader-ready skills and competencies. The Residency structure includes: 

• Placement at host schools to both shadow a current School Leader and to take on specific leadership responsibilities at the host campus, with accountability to the results of the school(s)/teams you support

• Significant formal learning and leadership coaching provided by multiple leaders throughout the organization, including Head of School/Managing Director of Schools, Director of Leadership Development, Host School Leader, additional mentors, etc.

• Mid-year application for available School Leader roles for the forthcoming school year

Critical Competencies and Skills

Embody a growth mindset:

• Accept and effectively incorporate constructive feedback with urgency
• Operate with a high level of flexibility and ownership, taking on various leadership responsibilities to support host school(s), the region, and your unique leadership growth areas

Communicate effectively and inspirationally:

• Articulate and consistently communicate a clear, compelling vision for your leadership brand and future 
• Inspire others to commit to, and fulfill, outstanding outcomes
• Consistently prepare and execute highly effective meetings, professional development sessions, and presentations
• Build trusting relationships with all stakeholders across the organization

Drive outstanding outcomes through leading others:

• Develop teacher/leader capacity through observations, walkthroughs, real time coaching, and data analysis through O3s focused on student data and coaching towards goals, weekly walkthroughs, and frequent observation of leader work
• Leverage strong content knowledge and data analysis skills to drive results both within and outside of your area of expertise
• Create and execute data-driven strategic plans to meet goals
• Effectively manage teammates, ensuring that high performers continue thriving and struggling teammates receive clear feedback, coaching, and accountability
• Design new systems or improve existing systems to ensure all domains of the school are efficient and contributing to school goals/priorities

Uphold a Culture of Excellence for staff, students, and community:

• Demonstrate personal excellence at all times (consistently professional, productive, prepared, and positive)
• Embody and model our organization values: Kid Focus, Radical Love, Excellence, TEAM, Fun
• Consistently reinforces high expectations for all students and all teammates all the time, using motivation, clarity, and accountability appropriately and effectively
• Engage families and community stakeholders proactively and productively as partners in school goals
• Contribute positively and productively on all teams (Resident cohort, host school teams, regional teams, etc.)

Qualifications

Role Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Demonstrated student achievement results from teachers and leaders that the leader manages and coaches
• Strong track record with achieving results through others, including community partnerships
• Demonstrated success in developing leadership capacity in others 
• Demonstrated resilience and focus on student outcomes
• Ability to set direction across an entire school and motivate others to action 
• Adept at data analysis; ability to extract meaningful insights across school-wide data using pertinent softwar