Senior Director, Communications

• Department: KIPP Foundation (national roles)

About the Organization

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 279 schools, nearly 16,500 educators, and nearly 210,000 students and alumni.

Our 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.

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

The KIPP Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports KIPP public charter schools across the country. The KIPP Foundation helps to develop outstanding educators to lead KIPP schools; provides tools and resources for excellent teaching and learning; promotes innovation; and facilitates the exchange of insights and ideas across KIPP and other public schools and organizations.

About Our Values:

Excellent Results for Students
:
We value results over effort and know that our work is not finished until all students thrive. We maintain high expectations for self, team, and students. We drive outcomes by operating with agility, removing barriers, differentiating support, and prioritizing student-centered solutions—especially for those at the margins.

Collective Impact
:
We are one team. We win together. We embody a one-team mindset by working collaboratively across teams, aligning goals, and leveraging the strengths of all teammates. We build trust-based relationships and ensure inclusive decision-making by engaging those closest to the work. We provide clarity through simple, repeatable systems and goals that enable transformational outcomes.

Courageous Action
:
Our belief in what we can achieve is unwavering, fueling our optimism and commitment to overcome any challenge. We demonstrate an unwavering belief in students' potential and a commitment to addressing systemic inequities. We approach challenges with resilience, a solutions-focused mindset, and adaptability. We foster a psychologically safe environment centered on trust and accountability where feedback is encouraged. We leverage data to reflect on progress, own setbacks, celebrate successes, and continuously improve to maximize impact.

About The Position

The Senior Director of Communications leads the strategy and execution of KIPP Foundation’s communications across internal and external audiences. This role oversees earned media, executive communications, issues management, and internal communications—ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact in how KIPP shows up nationwide.

The Senior Director partners closely with the Office of the CEO, senior leadership, and regional teams to align messaging, elevate strategic priorities, and strengthen KIPP’s brand and reputation.

This role manages one direct report and serves as a core member of the Marketing and Communications team, reporting to the VP of Marketing and Communications.

Responsibilities

The Senior Director of Communications is part of a larger, integrated team-wide marketing and communication team and owns the full communications ecosystem—including earned media, executive communications, issues management, and internal communications.

External and Executive Communications

Design, lead, and execute a national earned media strategy that aligns with KIPP’s annual storytelling arc and organizational priorities—delivering high-profile national and local TV, print, and digital placements.

Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership (in Office of the CEO, Development, and One KIPP Priority Program Leads) to shape executive communications and secure high-impact speaking engagements and media placements.

Strengthen regional alignment by cultivating deep partnerships with regional communications leads and coordinating network-wide efforts to elevate local stories and reinforce national messages.

Oversee sourcing,…