Director of Student Life

KIPP Indy Public Schools•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Director of Student Life leads the development and execution of a vertically aligned portfolio of athletics, extracurricular programs, and student experiences across KIPP Indy Public Schools. This role functions as the regional leader for student engagement outside the classroom, ensuring that all students have access to high-quality athletic and extracurricular opportunities that build belonging, strengthen school culture, and support student retention. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Student Life oversees the strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement of KIPP Indy’s athletic and extracurricular programming across campuses. The role ensures equitable student experiences, strong program quality, compliance with athletic regulations, and alignment with KIPP Indy’s mission and values.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in education, athletics administration, extracurricular programming, or related fields.
Experience leading athletic programs, extracurricular initiatives, or student engagement efforts at the school, network, or community level
Demonstrated ability to design and manage systems that support consistent program implementation across multiple campuses or teams
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate complex events and programming
Ability to analyze participation and engagement data to inform decision and strengthen programming
Experience developing and supporting coaches, program leaders, or extracurricular sponsors
Knowledge of athletics compliance and safety requirements, including conference or governing body regulations (such as IHSAA or similar organizations)
Deep commitment to equity, belonging, and creating identity-affirming student experiences
Alignment with KIPP indy's mission and belief that all students can achieve at high levels when provided with access to strong opportunities and support

Responsibilities

Design and lead a vertically aligned K-12 athletics strategy across KIPP Indy schools
Serve as the regional athletic director overseeing conference affiliations, league participation, and IHSAA compliance
Ensure equitable access to athletic opportunities across campuses and grade levels
Develop participation goals that increase student engagement and retention
Build partnerships with local athletic organizations, leagues, and community programs
Represent KIPP Indy in athletic conferences and regional athletics meetings
Develop and oversee a diverse portfolio of extracurricular opportunities including athletics, arts, academic teams, clubs, and leadership programs
Ensure extracurricular offerings reflect student interests, identities, and community culture
Expand student leadership opportunities and enrichment programs across campuses
Identify opportunities to grow programming that supports student engagement and belonging
Recruit, train, and support high-quality coaches and extracurricular sponsors
Establish expectations and standards for athletic and extracurricular program leadership
Observe programming and provide coaching and feedback to program leaders
Support school teams in building strong, student-centered program cultures
Oversee regional scheduling of games, practices, tournaments, and extracurricular events
Coordinate facility utilization across schools for athletic and extracurricular programming
Partner with operations teams on transportation, safety plans, and facility needs
Ensure logistical systems support strong participation and smooth program execution
Lead planning and coordination of key student experiences such as homecoming, dances, student celebrations, graduation, and athletic events
Support schools in executing high-quality student events that reflect KIPP Indy culture and values
Ensure major student events are safe, inclusive, and well organized
Ensure compliance with all athletic governing bodies including IHSAA regulations
Oversee student athlete eligibility, physicals, and participation requirements
Maintain safety systems for athletics and extracurricular activities including supervision and emergency protocols
Ensure coaches and sponsors complete required compliance and safety training
Track participation data across athletics and extracurricular programs
Analyze trends in participation, engagement, and retention to inform programming decisions
Use data to identify gaps in access and opportunities for program growth
Provide regular updates to regional leadership on student life outcomes
Partner with school leaders, DSOs, and regional teams to ensure strong execution of programming
Collaborate with family engagement teams to support student participation and community involvement
Work closely with operations teams to ensure extracurricular programming integrates with campus procedures
Serve as key partner to strengthening student culture, belonging, and engagement across the network
Develop and support pathways for students to access athletic, artistic, and extracurricular scholarships and post-secondary opportunities
Partner with coaches, sponsors, and school leaders to identify students with competitive athletic or extracurricular potential
Build relationships with high school programs, college recruiters, and community partners to expand scholarship opportunities
Ensure students and families have access to information, exposure, and support related to scholarship pathways
Develop and manage the annual athletics and extracurricular programming budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of regional funds
Partner with Chief Operating Officer on annual financial planning, forecasting, and budget alignment with regional priorities
Monitor expenditures across athletic programs, extracurricular activities, events, and program operations to ensure alignment with approved budgets
Evaluate program investments and resource allocation to maximize student access and participation in athletics and extracurricular opportunities
Ensure all purchases and financial decisions comply with organizational policies and controls
Identify opportunities to leverage partnerships, sponsorships, and external funding to expand student life programming