Director, Academic Governance and Compliance

Job description

The Director of Academic Governance and Compliance is responsible for ensuring that KIPP Texas remains in full alignment with all Texas Education Agency (TEA) academic mandates, state laws, federal policies, and charter school accreditation standards. This role serves as the primary architect for academic policy execution and institutional quality assurance, translating complex legislative and accreditation requirements into operational reality. By coordinating across the Academics division, this individual ensures that the organization is compliant, documented, and prepared for state audits and accreditation reviews. Goals: 100% Compliance on all TEA monitoring visits and state audits related to HB 1416 and HB 3. Successful Charter Renewal and maintenance of "Accredited" status with zero high-risk findings from TEA or regional accreditors. On-time completion and 100% approval rate for all Campus Improvement Plans (CIPs). Successful execution of the Local Instructional Material Review process for all newly adopted curricula. Zero findings in annual external audits regarding academic state/federal fund usage. Legislative, TEA Policy & Accreditation Execution Act as the primary internal expert on new and existing TEA policies and accreditation criteria, providing clear summaries and action plans for executive leadership. Lead the technical execution of state mandates and accreditation standards, ensuring that all regional and campus-level academic procedures meet or exceed Texas statutory requirements. Establish a rigorous internal monitoring system to track adherence to State Board of Education (SBOE) rules, federal ESSA guidelines, and Charter School Performance Frameworks. Charter School Accreditation & Renewal Lead the self-study and evidence-collection processes required for regional accreditation (e.g., Cognia) and TEA charter performance reviews. Manage the academic components of the charter contract renewal process, ensuring all performance exhibits and governance documents demonstrate high-quality academic standing. Conduct internal "mock" accreditation visits to campuses to ensure alignment with instructional and governance standards. Statutory Compliance (HB 1416 & HB 3) Oversee the tracking and documentation of required tutoring hours for students who do not perform satisfactorily on STAAR/EOC exams, ensuring 100% compliance with state reporting. Coordinate the development and monitoring of high-school, college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) plans and early childhood literacy/math proficiency plans. Maintain "audit-ready" documentation for all House Bill requirements to ensure no loss of funding or accreditation status. Campus Improvement Plans (CIP) & Planning Lead the annual creation, mid-year review, and end-of-year evaluation of Campus Improvement Plans (CIPs) for all KTX schools. Facilitate the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) process at each campus to ensure improvement plans are data-driven and address specific student population gaps. Ensure all plans are uploaded and approved within the required state timelines and meet all Title I schoolwide program requirements. Instructional Material Review & Governance Design and lead the process for the selection and adoption of instructional materials, ensuring they meet the requirements of the Texas Resource Review and local community transparency standards. Stay ahead of TEA Proclamation cycles to ensure the organization is prepared for upcoming textbook and digital resource adoptions. Maintain and update the KIPP Texas Academic Policy Manual, ensuring all internal grading, promotion, and graduation policies are legally sound. Cross-Functional Coordination & Leadership Serve as the "connective tissue" between Academics, Data/PEIMS, Finance, and Legal to ensure that academic programming is accurately reflected in state reporting. Provide regular training to Academics leaders on Academic compliance benchmarks, accreditation evidence collection, and legislative updates. Lead other academic governance duties as assigned by the CAO, including state waiver applications and emergency policy shifts. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in Public Policy, Educational Leadership, or JD preferred. 5+ years of experience in school system administration, state compliance, or TEA policy. Direct experience with the Charter School Performance Framework (CSPF) or regional accreditation processes is highly preferred. Competency and Skills Deep familiarity with the Texas Education Code (TEC) and Texas Administrative Code (TAC) is essential. Exceptional ability to read, interpret, and apply legal, regulatory, and accreditation language to school-based operations. Strong project management skills with a proven ability to coordinate large-scale projects across multiple departments. Ability to translate complex government jargon into simple, actionable steps for school-based staff. Unwavering integrity and a commitment to ensuring that compliance and accreditation serve as a foundation for student equity and excellence. What We Bring to the Table The starting salary range for this role is $85,000 and is commensurate upon experience and internal equity. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families. Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies. Paid family leave. Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA. Employee assistance programs. KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance. Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday. The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region. Additional Requirements Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses Ability to maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. Work Environment Hybrid work - Reports to the central office or schools three days a week Travel Requirements Regular Travel: Regular travel to school sites, regional offices or external locations for professional learning, meetings and other work related activities. Travel frequency may increase based on time of year. KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job duties. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. The application deadline for this role is May 9, 2026 at 11:59PM CST. About KIPP Texas Public Schools KIPP Texas Public Schools is a free, public charter school network with more than 45 Pre-K - 12 schools across Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. With over 30 years in Texas, we work together with our families and communities to prepare students for college, career, and beyond! Our schools provide a high-quality, well-rounded education built on academic success and personal growth, where all students learn and thrive in a productive, safe, and joyful way! As one of the earliest charter networks in Texas—founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018—we hire dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join a Team and Family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in academic success and joy. If you are passionate about joining a mission-driven community that wants every child to "run to school," the KIPP Texas Team and Family is for you! KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.