Senior Director of Academics & Instruction

Company Description

Senior Director of Academics & Instruction

Position Overview 

The Senior Director of Academics & Instruction (SDAI) will be a critical leader in shaping the academic vision and instructional strategy across the KIPP St. Louis network. Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer, the SDAI is responsible for ensuring academic excellence through strategic leadership in curriculum, assessment, and professional development across all grade levels. This leader will collaborate closely with campus and network-level leaders, leveraging data and teacher voice to ensure alignment between instructional practice and student outcomes. The SDAI will supervise curriculum managers and oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of instructional programs.

Who we are:

KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission and vision.

Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and boasts hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. 

Job Description

Position type: Full time, exempt, 12 Month    

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and implement a cohesive academic vision aligned with the network's goals for student achievement and college readiness.

• Author and revise "Fundamentals of Instruction" documents for each course and content block, outlining the KIPP St. Louis instructional approach.

• Facilitate network-wide walkthroughs to assess instructional quality, provide feedback, and support instructional leaders with action planning.

• Partner with school operations to ensure all necessary curriculum and instructional materials are procured and available across campuses.

Curriculum and Assessment Development

• Oversee the ongoing creation, vetting, and revision of curriculum resources in collaboration with teachers, consultants, and school leaders.

• Manage the "bundle drop" process and ensure timely distribution of instructional materials.

• Lead the development and refinement of the region's assessment strategy, including internal and state-aligned measures.

• Ensure that all assessments are administered with fidelity and that data is accurately captured and analyzed.

• Regularly collect and analyze feedback to drive strategic shifts in curriculum and assessment practices.

Professional Development and Capacity Building

• Design and deliver pre-service and in-service PD for school leaders, curriculum managers, instructional coaches, and teachers that aligns with instructional priorities and content-specific needs.

• Facilitate unit unpacking and collaborative scoring sessions to deepen teacher understanding of curriculum and assessments.

• Support the development of instructional leaders and teachers to scale high-quality professional learning.

Program Management and Innovation

• Provide oversight and vision for the Residents, Fellows, Intervention, and Virtual Learning Programs, ensuring they are aligned with academic goals.

• Manage academic technology platforms and support user access, vendor coordination, and staff training.

• Ensure curriculum and program initiatives are strategically aligned with MOUs, budgets, and operational systems.

Data Leadership and Accountability

• Build systems for academic data collection, analysis, and transparent reporting.

• Lead communication on progress toward academic goals across schools.

• Analyze trends and partner with leadership to ensure data-driven instructional shifts.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise and support Director of Literacy + Curriculum Managers  across elementary, middle, and high schools.

• Guide the development, growth, and evaluation of team members.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture committed to continuous improv