[2025-2026] Director of Communications and Special Projects - High School

Kippenc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Communications and Special Projects to lead and enhance school operations. This pivotal role involves managing project logistics, overseeing communication strategies, and ensuring a collaborative environment for staff and families. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management skills and a passion for educational excellence. With a commitment to fostering a supportive school culture, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on student success and community engagement. Join a dedicated team focused on creating enriching educational experiences for all students.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Generous Time-Off

Parental Leave

Child and Elder Care

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Sabbatical

Professional Development Funds

Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• 5+ years of work experience in a related field.
• Experience managing a small team and multiple projects.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to juggle competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute project and event operations smoothly.
• Oversee staff and student communications effectively.
• Coordinate major school events and family engagement efforts.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

PowerSchool

Canvas

Job description

[2025-2026] Director of Communications and Special Projects - High School

• Full-time
• Start Date: Next year opening
• Department: School-based Support

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful and rigorous schools in pursuit of a more just world. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in the Bronx, with a vision that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. Today, our network consists of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive program to support our students and alumni in choosing and preparing for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. KIPP NYC currently serves more than 12,000 students and alumni, has a staff of more than 1,000 (8% of whom are alumni), and continues to grow!

About KIPP NYC College Prep High School
In August 2009, KIPP NYC College Prep High School (CPHS) opened its doors to serve students graduating from KIPP middle schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Upper Manhattan, as well as other New York City students seeking a rigorous, college-preparatory high school program. KIPP NYC College Prep builds on the key elements of their successful elementary and middle schools, including more time in school, a focus on student achievement, highly qualified and committed faculty, and a school culture that supports success in learning. Located in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, CPHS currently educates over 2,000 students in grades 9-12 across two locations. Over 90% of students enroll in at least one type of rigorous academics, including (16) Advanced Placement (AP), (17) Dual Enrollment, and (13) Honors courses. In addition to a wide range of electives and over 25 clubs, there are 13 varsity and junior varsity sports programs. Last, CPHS provides a comprehensive college and career counseling department to ensure students engage in enriching summer programming, develop individual career plans, are fully prepared for the SAT college entrance exam, and go on to enroll in a college or career opportunity that meets their interests, abilities, and financial needs. Since its founding, 99% of CPHS students have graduated from high school, 91% have matriculated to a 2- or 4-year college, and 49% have received a college degree in 6 or more years.

The Communications and Special Projects Director (CSPD) is responsible for managing and executing smooth project and event operations of the school and ensuring timely and consistent staff and student/family communications. This role also includes oversight of student and family programming. It requires strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to multitask and problem-solve effectively.

The CSPD ensures that special project related staff and student needs are addressed, that event facilities and tech systems are in good working order, and that daily event logistics and special projects are executed as planned and with excellence, along with any additional community needs. The CSPD is a member of the Operations team and reports directly to the Senior Director of Operations (SDOO).

Core Functions – Oversees and manages core systems, ensuring processes and events are successfully executed:

• Staff and Student/Family Calendar
  • Creates and updates staff and family calendars.
  • Oversees calendar accuracy and alignment across teams and student programming.
• Monthly Staff Communication (KIPP Notes)
  • Collects and organizes updates from managers and department heads for monthly KIPP Notes and one-off communications.
  • Ensures timely and effective communication of important updates, emergency info, and events via the school's communication platform and social media.
• Student and Family Communication
  • Oversees content, quality, and timeliness of all student/family communications.
  • Reviews OCA messaging for consistency and alignment with school events and priorities.
  • Collect and organize weekly and special events communications for students and families, Bulldog Bulletin.
  • Ensures timely and effective communication of important updates, emergency info, and events via the school's communication platform and social media.
• Manage School Website, Canvas Accounts, Social Media, and Announcements
  • Maintains current and relevant content.
  • Coordinates with internal stakeholders to promote events and key information.
• Manage Staff Duty Hours
  • Coordinates staff coverage for after-school, Saturday, and special events.
• Leads Family Community Association (FCA)
  • Coordinate bi-weekly family meetings.
  • Manages the Title 1 Family Engagement Grant and the Family Engagement Coordinators.
  • Oversees family communications and engagement efforts, including those led by the Student Affairs Manager (SAM).
  • Engages families in academics and student programming with support from appropriate stakeholders (Directors of Humanities and STEM, Academics and Data Systems, etc.)
• Project and Event Management
  • Leads planning and execution of major school events such as (not limited to) Orientation, Back-to-School Night, Report Card Nights, and Graduation etc.
  • Supports the field trip structure and logistics in collaboration with the DOO’s..
  • Oversees the execution of student-led and family-focused events carried out by OCA.
• Provides guidance and oversight, ensuring successful execution of:
  • Student Ambassadors
  • Student Government
  • Student Clubs and Organizations
  • Student Community Service
  • Peer Leadership Activities
  • Student-led events, senior activities, and reward trips
  • School Store operations
• Supports alignment of student programming with school-wide goals and culture.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Serves as liaison between operations, academics, and family engagement teams.
  • Works closely with operations and other stakeholders to ensure communication, logistics, and events are coordinated and mission-aligned.
• Other operational responsibilities, as needed.

General Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Executes assigned daily duties.
• Resolves support requests and operational/project issues promptly.
• Supports the SDOO with special projects as needed, and serves as the point person for all special projects work
• Supports the SDOO in executing systems that support the school's instructional vision
• Supports in ensuring that planned daily events are executed
• Partners with operational and academic leaders to implement systems that advance instructional and school priorities.
• Escalates urgent concerns to SDOO and School Senior Leadership.
• Participates fully in school-wide staff responsibilities, including trips, events, and family engagement.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Technical Skills
  • Required proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and familiarity with internal platforms such as PowerSchool, Canvas, DeansList, and SchoolBookings, helpful but not required.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple work streams, timelines, and deadlines.
  • Comfortable using data to inform planning, improve communication systems, and drive decisions.
• Building Relationships
  • Communicates with clarity and compassion, adjusting tone and style for different audiences.
  • Builds trust and rapport across departments, families, and the broader school community.
  • Demonstrates empathy, transparency, and accountability in all interactions.
  • Proactively engages with stakeholders on difficult decisions
• Driving Results
  • Creates detailed work plans with timelines, goals, and follow-up steps.
  • Maintains urgency around meeting deadlines while staying flexible with shifting priorities.
  • Uses feedback and data to adjust systems and improve performance.
  • Recognizes strengths and areas of growth, looking for opportunities to gain experiences that support development in both
  • Seeks clarification where lacking clear direction or unsure of next steps
  • Follows-through on tasks in timely fashion
  • Organizes and ensures productive meetings or one-on-one’s with clear agendas and follow-up action steps.
• Managing People
  • Supports and develops direct reports through clear delegation, coaching, and regular check-ins.
  • Holds others accountable to set and achieve goals by monitoring progress towards successful completion of work (check-ins, timelines, follow-up action items).
  • Models and develops expected character strengths, attitudes, behaviors and skills.
  • Creates systems to ensure clarity, efficiency, and consistent follow-through.
• Cultural Competence
  • Communicates and works effectively across lines of difference.
  • Considers cultural dynamics when designing and implementing systems.
  • Demonstrates openness to feedback around identity, impact, and inclusive practices.
• Student Focus
  • Centers on students’ needs in planning and decision-making.
  • Ensures all student-facing systems and communications are inclusive, affirming, and responsive.
• Bachelor's Degree with at least 5 years of work experience
• At least 3 years of experience managing a small team and multiple complex projects
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities across multiple teams of people with strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to the KIPP mission, with school-based experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to indirectly manage and influence teams and individuals to meet specific and strategic outcomes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Team player with strong interpersonal/influence skills
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $100,636 - $176,453. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and the scope of responsibility within the role. KIPP NYC will evaluate a candidate’s years of experience at point of hire to determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our Dean salary scale.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous Time-Off including 5 school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break.
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
• Employer paid Life Insurance and Short term/Long term disability.
• Employee incentives including 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

This role is based in NYC and will require travel to our schools. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. You must notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate.

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization.

KIPP NYC LLC is an anti-racist organization that believes in the importance of being diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City.