ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

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, 7,300 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Communications and Marketing will develop and execute the internal and external communications and marketing strategy of KIPP DC with a significant focus on elevating KIPP DC’s brand in the greater D.C. community. Internally, the director will utilize messaging to drive organizational culture, mission alignment, and collaboration with various functional teams to support them in achieving their goals. Externally, the director will work collaboratively to strategize and project manage the marketing and communications needs of KIPP DC’s fundraising and partnerships, staff recruitment, student recruitment, community engagement, alumni support, instructional leadership, and school teams. The director will serve as KIPP DC’s lead spokesperson for media and will manage crisis communications for the organization. This is an exempt position and will report to the Managing Director of Communications & Collaboration and will manage a team of four people.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Brand Strategy & Execution (40% of time)

• Develop and implement communications vision, strategy, and operations plans to support a variety of efforts: fundraising, teacher recruitment, student recruitment, employee communications, alumni experience, community engagement, school operations, and the overall KIPP DC brand.
• Identify, evaluate, and execute opportunities that increase KIPP DC’s visibility among key audiences.
• Write speeches, emails, talking points, and prepare presentation materials for executive leadership.
• Grow and manage KIPP DC’s digital communications strategy including the website, e-mail campaigns, social media, digital advertising, search engine optimization, and more.
• Coordinate KIPP DC’s media efforts including crisis communications, press releases, media pitches, and staff preparation for interviews.
• Act as organizational spokesperson and coordinate emergency notifications to families and staff.
• Provide critical thought-partnership to school and headquarters leaders about KIPP DC’s public affairs strategy.

Team Management (40% of time)

• Directly manage the brand team, including a creative services manager, associate director of marketing and communications, digital marketing associate, and communications associate.
• Coordinate and collaborate with KIPP Foundation and other KIPP regions on cross-regional campaigns, knowledge sharing, and best practices.
• Hire, onboard, and coach new team members to achieve communications and marketing goals.
• Manage a $250,000 annual budget to produce marketing collateral, merchandise, advertising, and large-scale event production.

Marketing & Communications Content Creation (10% of time)

• Create and manage engaging communications pieces consistent with KIPP DC’s brand, such as one pagers, newsletters, direct mail, annual reports, advertising, etc. to attract attention and generate interest.
• Maintain brand consistency and graphic identity with a strong eye for visual design elements, including logo design, creation of invitations, and other marketing materials.
• Further develop KIPP DC’s brand identity and key message points to support strategic positioning in the D.C. community, implementing a complex brand migration strategy that builds investment in our evolving organizational identity and advances the organization’s regional equity and inclusion agenda.
• Create KIPP DC and individual school communications templates and other visual material.
• Manage communications projects that utilize third-party graphic designers, photographers, and video producers for design, marketing, PR, and creative support services as time and budget allow.
• Edit a range of written programmatic and fundraising materials with a high attention to detail in order to ensure clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness.

Advancement Leadership (10% of time)

• Assist in developing the strategy and consult on the planning of other team and organizational priorities, as needed
• Develop and maintain systems to communicate progress to goal and strategies across the advancement team and to key stakeholders.
• Participate in and lead KIPP DC and advancement team activities, including staff meetings, professional development conferences and retreats, fundraising events, and other public relations opportunities.
• Support all teams in the hands-on execution of programs and events, as requested.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 7-10 years of marketing, communications, fundraising, or recruitment experience -AND/OR- project and relationship management experience required
• People management experience required
• Experience in education preferred
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills
• Mastery of Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook or similar Google applications; email marketing platforms; constituent relationship management systems; and social media and digital advertising platforms
• Extraordinary attention to detail, both in planning and execution
• Ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced environment under tight deadlines towards a shared long-term vision
• Results-oriented team player who is dedicated to getting the job done
• Flexibility, tenacity, high quality work, resourcefulness, teamwork, and a sense of humor
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence, initiative, and leadership skills
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP DC’s mission

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• The anticipated starting salary for this position is $112,042-$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.
• 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. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support, and this position will regularly provide on-site support to school teams, frequently partner with other headquarters teams, or regularly work in multiple locations. Because of the nature of the work, this role allows for occasional flexibility. This role will have approximately 20% flexibility to work remotely.

TO APPLY:

All interested applicants should visit online at http://www.kippdc.org/careers/apply-now/, and click “Director Marketing & Communications” job posting located under “Leadership and Support Staff Positions.” If you have any questions, please contact the Recruitment Team via email at careers@kippdc.org. The application deadline for this position is Monday, January 16th, 2023.

Along with your application and resume, please submit a cover letter that specifically addresses why you are interested in this role at KIPP DC, and working in a public preK-12 school system in the District of Columbia.

EQUAL 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 as a victim or family member of a victim 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.

KIPP DC requires all staff to provide proof that they have had all doses of a primary COVID vaccine or obtain approval for exemption for medical or religious reasons before beginning employment. New hires who have not received all doses of a primary vaccine or who are waiting approval for exemption will not be able to begin employment.

All KIPP DC staff are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their vaccinations. The CDC currently defines being up to date on the COVID vaccine as having had all doses of a primary vaccine and as having received a booster, if eligible.