KIPP Forward Director

KIPP•Miami, FL

11d•$95,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The KIPP Forward Director plays a critical role in building the foundation for students’ long-term success, as well as laying the framework for a strong KIPP Forward department. This founding role supports 9th grade students in developing early college and career knowledge, skills, and mindsets, while guiding them through course selection, certifications, and dual enrollment opportunities that prepare them for high-quality career and postsecondary pathways, while simultaneously managing the vision, supporting systems and hiring to create a world-class counseling department.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Demonstrated experience working with traditionally underserved students and their families from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel) and Google Suite.
Experience with database management and reporting (e.g., Salesforce, Overgrad).
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects.
Customer service mindset with genuine care for students and families.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills; adept at analyzing data to generate meaningful insights.
Event planning and execution experience.
Deep commitment to doing whatever it takes to ensure student and school success.
Ability to build trusting relationships with students and families.
Proactive problem-solving and anticipation of challenges.
Calm, positive approach to high-stress situations.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Strong belief in the potential of all students to pursue college and/or quality postsecondary pathways.
Cultural competence and advocacy for equitable access to advanced coursework, certifications, and enrichment opportunities for historically marginalized students.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as both Director and primary counselor, directly advising the inaugural 9th grade class while establishing foundational systems, structures, and practices for a robust KIPP Forward program.
Develop and codify the department’s vision, mission, and key performance indicators in alignment with KIPP Miami’s college and career readiness goals.
Build and pilot data systems, advising protocols, family engagement strategies, and cross-department collaboration structures that can scale as additional grades and staff are added.
Partner with school leadership to ensure KIPP Forward is embedded into the fabric of the school’s academic and cultural program.
Recruit, hire, onboard, and coach a high-performing team of counselors and advisors as the department expands with each subsequent grade level.
Provide ongoing professional development, observation/feedback cycles, and team retreats that grow staff expertise in postsecondary counseling, student advising, and data-driven practice.
Establish a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the department.
Develop succession planning and leadership opportunities (“building a bench”) within the counseling team to ensure long-term sustainability of the program
Lead cross-functional collaboration with academic leadership, college/career partners, and regional/national KIPP Forward staff to align on best practices and maximize opportunities for students.
Conduct ongoing 1:1 check-ins with students beginning in 9th grade to:
Assess their passion, purpose, and postsecondary plan.
Monitor progress toward credit accumulation, diploma distinctions, and CTE certifications.
Guide them in making informed and strategic course selections aligned with graduation requirements, Academy offerings and future goals, in partnership with the Director of Academic Operations, to maximize certification attainment, diploma distinctions and pathways to college matriculation
Provide behavioral, attendance and academic support and problem solving to ensure students remain on track for on-time and accomplished graduation
Support attendance initiatives through student and family engagement
Coordinate school-wide college and career exposure events (special programming days, family night, etc), as well as executive functioning workshops, in collaboration with grade-level leadership
Plan and lead college and career visits off-campus
Support students with 3.5+ GPA in submitting quality applications to and ultimately enrolling in strong, vetted pre-college programs, internships and dual enrollment courses during the summer
Consistently cultivate, monitor and share key opportunities for students to further their college & career readiness in and out of school (participation in clubs, coordinating Zero prep, sharing community resources, etc.)
Maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of students by providing regular updates on student progress
Plan and lead workshops for families on the essential topics related to high school and postsecondary success
Track meeting notes and student data - both qualitative and quantitative - consistently and accurately
Analyze student academic data to drive action planning and support plans
Present key data trends to school staff and leadership to drive improvements and celebrate wins
Oversee execution of PSAT8/9 in conjunction with the Director of Academics
Lead students in test taking strategies, pump up and investment in lead up to the PSAT8/9, and score analysis following the exam
Communicate to families about the importance of the PSAT8/9 and student-level data
In subsequent years, joining execute a robust and impactful SAT prep strategy with academic leaders
Manage the schedule request platform in our Student Information System
Oversee the schedule request process, ensuring all students select courses aligned with high-quality certification and diploma outcomes.
Support students in completing credit recovery and tracking progress.
Monitor state assessment performance and create targeted action plans to close gaps and strengthen graduation readiness.
Review transcripts and recommend classes for new students.