[2025-2026] Founding High School Principal

KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangement

Generous time-off

Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision coverage

Aggressive employer 403(b) contribution match

Childcare benefits

Unparalleled work/life integration

Casual dress code

Relocation stipend (conditions apply)

Job summary

KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools is hiring a Founding High School Principal in Albany, NY. This role focuses on academic excellence and character development, while empowering educators to improve student outcomes. The successful candidate will have at least three years as a principal and a strong commitment to equity and diversity. Benefits include flexible working arrangements, generous time off, and comprehensive medical coverage. Salary ranges from $120,000 - $132,000 per year, based on experience.

Qualifications

• At least three years of experience as a school principal.
• Ten years in education with progressively increasing responsibilities.
• Strong project management skills and ability to multitask effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead academic excellence and character development for students.
• Develop and manage a strong school leadership team.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Instructional leadership

Team management

Community engagement

Cultural competence

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

About The Founding High School Principal Role: The Founding Principal will serve as the driving force behind academic excellence and character development for students, with a primary focus on instructional leadership and empowering educators to elevate their practice and improve student outcomes. This role is pivotal in shaping a sustainable and thriving school by developing future leaders and implementing systems to attract, retain, and develop high‑performing staff.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to address the academic, emotional, cultural, and overall well‑being of students, staff, and families, ensuring holistic support.
• Responsible for college‑readiness academic outcomes of all students, with a demonstrated track record of obtaining or improving academic outcomes, including graduation rates, GPA averages, and SAT/ACT results.
• Build and enhance instructional expertise by leading professional development, coaching instructional leaders and teachers, and fostering collaboration to improve teaching practices and student outcomes.
• Support the School Instructional team and utilize data‑driven strategies to analyze student performance, guide instructional adjustments, diagnose issues, and implement interventions to ensure progress toward mastery and high‑quality learning outcomes.
• Oversee the development and alignment of a rigorous, college‑preparatory curriculum that integrates academic and character goals to support student success.
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of operational and instructional systems, ensuring they are efficient, effective, and adaptable to support student success and school goals.

Vision and Culture Leadership

• Develop and communicate a compelling school‑wide vision aligned with the KIPP region, setting ambitious goals that lead students on a path to and through college.
• Foster a positive and inclusive school culture by modeling high expectations for leaders, teachers, and students, emphasizing professional growth, constructive feedback, and equity‑driven practices.
• Build and sustain systems, structures, and relationships that create equitable and inclusive environments for students, families, and staff, celebrating diverse backgrounds and facilitating courageous conversations.
• Establish and maintain traditions, rituals, and a joyful, rigorous culture that embody the KIPP Capital Region mission, vision, and values, ensuring consistency and growth year over year.

Leadership Development and Team Management

• Develop and manage a strong school leadership team, including Assistant Principals, Deans, and instructional leaders, to support teachers and drive student success.
• Build a sustainable pipeline of future school leaders by creating systems for ongoing professional growth, development, and leadership cultivation.
• Partner with Talent and HR to recruit, hire, and retain a diverse, high‑performing team while fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Coach and mentor staff to achieve performance excellence by setting clear expectations, providing accountability, and supporting professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, goal‑oriented team culture focused on achieving school‑wide excellence and timely addressing performance expectations.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external business partners and stakeholders.
• Build and foster relationships with community leaders and organizations, including maintaining a robust database of community organizations.
• Represent the district, region, or school in workgroups or projects as assigned.
• Communicate regularly with families about their children’s performance, school policies, trips, and events.

Operations and Risk Management

• Oversee the management of the school’s budget and financial resources, ensuring daily fiscal responsibility by strategically allocating funds to support academic programs, staffing, and facility operations while maintaining accurate and transparent financial records.
• Monitor performance metrics, qualitative feedback, and data to inform strategy, decision‑making, and accountability for achieving school objectives.
• Lead solution‑focused problem‑solving for school‑wide issues while managing and mitigating risks effectively.
• Assure health and safety risks are identified, controlled, or resolved in partnership with appropriate resources.
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations to ensure consistency in academic and behavioral expectations across the school and to effectively lead the instructional and operational goals of the school.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as outlined by the Managing Director of Schools.
• Committed to furthering anti‑racism, equity, and racial justice in all efforts, and expect all stakeholders to participate in this work.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws, regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
• Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including developing and participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strongly committed to the mission of KIPP and investment in our vision of being an equitable and anti‑racist organization.
• Strong DEI lens with exceptional creative power in leading anti‑racist practices.
• Passionate commitment to improving the minds, characters, and lives of students both in and out of school.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating ability to influence cross‑functional teams in a rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback.
• Strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and flexibility to accommodate the high level of responsibility, multiple priorities, and rapidly changing environment; thrives in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented, mission‑driven culture.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule outside regular business hours.
• Ability to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Infrequent travel to different KIPP Capital Region schools is required.
• Pass a criminal background check.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• At least three (3) years of experience as a school principal, preferably in the charter, private, or public school environment.
• At least ten (10) years in education, preferably in the charter, private, or public school environment, with progressively increasing responsibilities.
• Demonstrated leadership experience at the secondary level, including overseeing curriculum development, staff management, and student performance improvement, with a focus on fostering a positive school culture and achieving measurable academic outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence cross‑functional teams in a rapidly changing environment and foster collaborative environments supporting feedback and continuous improvement.
• Proven track record of improving academic outcomes, including increased graduation rates and GPA averages.
• Understanding of working directly with students in the charter, private, or public school environment ideally in urban communities is preferred but not required.
• Established computer literacy, including MS Office Suite and other database systems.
• Significantly strong project management skills and ability to multitask effectively and prioritize work efforts.
• Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Excellent relationship builder with proven experience managing diverse stakeholders, leading change, mobilizing others, and creating champions to support an organizational mission.
• Proven ability to manage resources (people, financial, equipment) effectively to support the organization’s short and long term goals and use financial information to make sound decisions.
• Demonstrated proficiency in leading through change, executing major initiatives, and leading cross‑departmental work.
• Track record of consistent and strong decision making, organizational, and communication skills, including attention to detail, oral and written communication skills, and listening and training skills.

WORK PERKS

• Flexible working arrangement
• Generous time‑off
• Industry‑leading medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Aggressive employer 403(b) contribution match
• Childcare benefits
• Unparalleled work/life integration
• Casual dress code
• Relocation stipend (conditions apply)

Salary: KIPP Capital Region offers a competitive salary ranging from $120,000 - $132,000 per year, determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and longevity within the KIPP network.

Learn more: All staff and educators at KIPP Capital Region are committed to anti‑racism and inclusion, are part of a close‑knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same. Explore what it’s like to work at KIPP Capital Region: kippcapital.org/join-our-team/

Location: This role is located at KIPP Capital Region schools in Albany, NY.