Vice President of Academics Instruction

Location: St. Louis

Position type

Full time, exempt, 12 Month

Reporting & Collaboration

• Direct Manager:
  Chief Schools Officer (CSO), accountable for school leader supervision and overall school performance.
• Direct Reports:
  Curriculum Managers, Academic Data Specialist, Director of Special Populations, Assistant Manager of Compliance, and the Director of Professional Learning.
• Key Collaborators: VP of Student Services & Experience, Regional Director of Operations, Special Populations leaders, school leaders, and cross-functional regional teams to ensure instructional systems are aligned and feasible for school implementation.

Autonomy & Decision Making

• This role owns regional academic strategy and the quality of instructional systems, including curriculum, assessments, instructional frameworks, and professional learning design standards. The VPAI sets clear expectations, tools, and rhythms for instructional quality; manages and develops regional academic leaders; and partners with school leaders to support high‑fidelity implementation. The VPAI is accountable for continuous improvement of academic systems using data and evidence of impact.

Inputs:
What will I be doing in my day to day work? Academic Vision & Strategy

• Own the K–12 academic vision, instructional framework, curriculum, and assessment strategy.
• Set regional standards for instructional quality and coherence.
• Ensure alignment of academic systems to strategic priorities.

Instructional Quality & Implementation

• Establish walkthrough look‑fors and tools for instructional quality.
• Monitor fidelity of curriculum and assessment implementation.
• Use data to drive continuous improvement of academic systems.

Professional Learning Systems

• Set the vision, scope, and quality bar for regional professional learning.
• Supervise and develop the Director of Professional Learning and curriculum leaders.
• Ensure PD systems lead to measurable changes in adult practice.

Leader Support (Non‑Evaluative)

• Provide non‑evaluative instructional coaching and technical assistance to school leaders.
• Partner with CSO to align leader instructional development to school priorities.
• Support leaders in translating regional priorities into school‑level execution.

Leadership & Teaming

• Lead and develop regional academic leaders.
• Partner cross‑functionally with the VP of Student Experiences and the Director of Regional Operations.
• Drive coherence across regional academic initiatives.

Outcomes:
What will I be evaluated on?

• Coherent, high‑quality academic systems (curriculum, assessments, instructional frameworks, professional learning standards) implemented with fidelity across schools.
• Measurable improvements in instructional quality and student achievement aligned to the regional strategic plan.
• Effective development and performance of regional academic leaders (Curriculum Managers, Director of Professional Learning).
• Demonstrated improvements in implementation fidelity and instructional practice based on data‑informed strategy adjustments.
• Strong partnership with school leaders resulting in effective translation of regional academic priorities into classroom practice.

What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around?

• Managing through ambiguity.
• Ability to make contingency plans and “see around corners” to determine appropriate course(s) of action.
• Having crucial conversations.
• Setting ambitious goals and driving results.
• Designing and leading instructional professional development for both classroom teachers and school leaders.
• Using data to drive continuous improvement.
• Leading teams and cross‑functional initiatives, managing leaders through cross‑functional systems.
• Driving results in a K‑12 district.

What should I know a lot about already, i.e., what should I have expertise in?

• Leading academic strategy or instructional improvement.
• Designing, evaluating, and improving professional learning systems for educators.
• Special education, UDL, or inclusive instructional design.
• High‑performing network environments.
• Strong understanding of adult learning theory.

KIPP uses Indicators of Excellence (IOE) to codify what great looks like in daily work. For this role, the IOEs include:

• Ownership and…