KIPP Foundation

Multiple Locations
Type: Leadership & Support Staff
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time
Start Date: Immediate
Subject:
Grade:

Organization: KIPP Foundation
Preferred Locations: Washington, DC

Contact: Nikeya Elliott
Email: nelliott@kipp.org


KIPP
 
Great education transforms lives. KIPP, the Knowledge is Power Program, is a non-profit network of 224 college-preparatory, public charter schools educating nearly 100,000 early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students. KIPP schools are tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. KIPP schools, KIPP regions, and the KIPP Foundation - are united by a common mission, a commitment to excellence, and a belief that if we help children develop the academic and character strengths they need for college and choice filled lives, they will be able to build a better tomorrow for themselves, for their communities, for us all.
 
The non-profit KIPP Foundation trains and develops outstanding educators to lead KIPP schools, provides tools, resources, and training for excellent teaching and learning, promotes innovation, and facilitates the exchange of insights and ideas within the KIPP network and with partners including: other charters, districts, colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations across the country.
 
Why work at KIPP?
 
By working for the KIPP Foundation, you help more students across the country receive the high-quality education they deserve.

• Support KIPP leaders, teachers, and staff on the Network Leadership Development, KIPP School Leadership Programs, Teaching and Learning Labs, KIPP Through College, or Knowledge Sharing teams
• Ensure smart growth and great results on the Network Growth and Sustainability, Strategy, Research & Evaluation, or Insights and Analytics teams
• Broaden our impact on the Government Affairs, External Impact, Marketing, Development, or Talent teams
• Keep us connected and operational on our IT or Finance team

 
If you believe all children deserve great schools and programs where they can gain the knowledge, skills, character, and habits necessary to achieve their dreams while making the world a better place , join us!
 
Position Overview
 
KIPP's Federal Policy and Advocacy team has a reputation for being pragmatic, dedicated to building bipartisan allies, and unwavering in our focus of keeping students at the center of all that we do.  The Analyst, Federal Policy and Advocacy will report to the Director of Federal Policy and Advocacy and will assist in leading KIPP's federal facing presence inside the beltway.  He/she is a member of the Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement team, who works collaboratively with the CEO, Co-Founders, KIPP Foundation Board, KIPP Through College, Communications and Marketing teams as well as a coalition of high performing CMOs and other advocates, think tanks and though leaders.  To date, KIPP's federal policy work has spanned PreK-12 education policy, higher education policy, tax policy related to school facilities, agriculture policy related to school lunch and immigration policy to protect Dreamers.   
 
 
Key Responsibilities and Duties
 
Serve as an ambassador and advocate of KIPP's mission and students:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Congressional staff that represent KIPP schools and regions and who are critical to advancing our federal policy agenda.
• Reestablish a bipartisan, bicameral charter caucus to assist in the support and advancement of policy issues essential to KIPP's growth and the ability of our students to lead choice-filled lives
• Build and maintain strong relationships and potential partnerships with advocates, think tanks, and other federal stakeholders 
• Partner with KIPP's local leadership teams to host Members of Congress, their staff and key thought leaders at KIPP schools
• Advise the Director and broader Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement team about the lay of the land politically and partner with them to amplify their voices in support of KIPP's mission
• Explore opportunities to share KIPP's mission, best practices and learnings at Hill briefings and think tank events
• Represent KIPP at various coalition meetings within the beltway

 
Build KIPP's brand as a K-16 thought leader, develop, and execute a federal policy agenda focused on supporting first generation college students in going to and through college:

• Expand KIPP's voice and influence on key issues facing our students, our alumni and other first-generation college students by partnering with the Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement team, CEO, Co-founders, KIPP Foundation leadership, and the KIPP Through College team to develop and implement a PreK-16 education policy agenda
• Review, revise and synthesize a variety of information and help connect KIPP's work to broader discussions within the federal policy landscape.
• Assist efforts to engage on KIPP's behalf in negotiations regarding the Higher Education Act reauthorization as it relates to college counseling, college affordability, reform of higher education institutions, and other policy issues impacting first-generation college students
• Support the planning and hosting events to build awareness of KIPP's policy agenda
• Draft white papers and other policy collateral, as appropriate  

 
Support the execution KIPP's federal policy agenda to support our students in leading choice-filled lives:

• Support and execute appropriations outreach for the KIPP network, ensuring that our regions and schools continue to receive federal funding to support their growth and sustained success on an annual basis
• Surface opportunities to leverage federal policy change in support of KIPP's mission and vision  
• Work with other likeminded organizations to align our policy priorities and advocate as partners whenever possible
• Support bi-annual Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill for KIPP and CMO peers

 
P r o v i d e research and analytical su p p o rt :

• Research Congress members' voting records and positions on relevant issues 
• Create written materials for the Federal policy and Advocacy team including but not limited to prep memos, letters and invitations to various events, and advocacy materials and other policy collateral
• Attend hearings and bill mark-ups, as well as other education policy related events in D.C.

 
Key Competencies

• Ability to model KIPP's values
• A strong grasp of the necessary tactics and campaign plans to move federal policy
• Ability to build partnerships that span the political spectrum
• Excellent interpersonal skills that translate into building relationships with senior executives, teammates, thought leaders, policymakers, KIPP alumni and families
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Outstanding policy analysis and development skills

 
Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required
• Master's degree preferred
• Experience on Capitol Hill required   
• 3-5+ years of experience
• Passion for educational equity and the urgency of KPP's mission
• A keen understanding and appreciation that long-term success requires deep seated, positive relationships across the political spectrum
• Excellent written and spoken communications skills sufficient for clearly discussing complex issues with and energizing diverse audiences, both in writing and in presentations
• Track record of successful project management including the execution of on time work and ability to collaborate successfully with teammates and other partners
• The preferred location for the role is Washington, DC with limited travel (up to 10%)

 
Compensation and Benefits
KIPP offers competitive salary commensurate with experience. KIPP also offers a comprehensive benefits package, generous vacation and Paid Time Off, 401k retirement plan with both pre- and post-tax options, as well as gym reimbursement, flexible spending account (FSA), and cell phone reimbursement.
 
KIPP Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.