Director of Communications and Executive Affairs

Job description

Director of Communications and Executive Affairs Department Communications and Executive Affairs Reports to Chief External Impact Officer Location Oakland - Regional Support Officer Type Full-time FLSA Status Exempt Schedule Full year About KIPP NorCal We are a thriving nonprofit network of 23 free, public charter schools open to all students. At KIPP, we believe all children should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves and that schools can and should be a critical factor in making that vision a reality. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our student community consists of over 7,100 elementary, middle, and high school students in East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San José, Redwood City, and Stockton. 80% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 27% are multilingual learners, and 17% receive special education services. We strive to cultivate a representative team of teachers and leaders that reflect our students’ diversity. Role Overview The Director of Communications and Executive Affairs is responsible for the design and high quality execution of cohesive, impactful communications and collateral that reinforce KIPP NorCal’s brand identity and strategy across internal and external audiences. They set direction on all visual and print communications and messaging, ensuring stakeholders have the right information at the right time, thus strengthening their effectiveness, trust, and affiliation with KIPP. This role also oversees best-in-class board governance systems, structures and processes; CEO communications, visibility, and support; key systems that support a strong Regional Support Office (RSO) culture; and systems to ensure excellent communication and coordination around our 2030 vision and goals, and how those translate to annual initiatives and key results. The Director of Communications and Executive Affairs will report to the Chief External Impact Officer, and is a member of the RSO’s leadership team. They lead a 3-person team, owning the department’s strategy, budget, and results. Core Responsibilities Communications, Messaging and Brand Positioning Develop and steward KIPP NorCal’s organizational narrative, brand, and communications strategy across internal and external audiences, ensuring KIPP NorCal speaks with a consistent, high-impact voice across every audience and channel. Leverage a deep understanding of KIPP NorCal’s mission, vision and how it comes to life in our schools; commitment to equity, and organizational goals to develop and oversee impactful communications across internal and external stakeholder groups. Ensure the KIPP NorCal brand and visual identity is reflected and reinforced in print and digital collateral, and across schools and the RSO. Design touchpoints and build systems to ensure internal and external stakeholders are inspired by our 2030 vision and goals, draw connections to how those translate to annual initiatives and key results, and are informed of progress at a regular cadence. Lead coordinated communications and media relations during critical or sensitive moments, strengthening reputation, stakeholder trust, and leadership effectiveness. Provide input on KIPP NorCal's public positions, lead media relations, and serve as the organization’s spokesperson as needed. Coordinate and collaborate with the KIPP Foundation and other KIPP regions on cross-regional campaigns, knowledge sharing, and best practices. Executive Affairs and CEO Office Effectiveness Set direction on the RSO's organizational rhythm, including the strategy and design of all-staff meetings, leadership events, and culture practices, so staff feel connected to the mission and to each other. Oversee CEO communications (i.e. speeches, all-staff emails, talking points, internal and external presentations) to ensure they are high quality and reflect clear messaging, differentiated by stakeholder group. Produce and oversee cascading communications for key updates and announcements. Oversee strategy to ensure CEO visibility and relationship-building across internal and external audiences. Provide strategic planning support to the CEO as needed, i.e. content creation for leadership team meetings and offsites. Board Governance & Operations Design and oversee strategy for effective Board governance practices, ensuring that board governance systems are executed with a high degree of quality and fidelity. Oversee the process to deliver high-quality, compliant board packets. Ensure quarterly board meetings are engaging, effective, and compliant. Serve as staff lead for the Board Governance Council, leading the annual rhythm of governance activities including new board member recruitment. Team Leadership and Talent Development Manage a three-person team, setting clear expectations, monitoring performance, and making timely promotion and exit decisions. Build a strong team culture of continuous learning, strengths-based coaching, and productive collaboration, ensuring each team member has the development support and stretch challenges needed to grow. Shape department systems for project management, planning, and progress monitoring so the team operates with clarity and consistency. Own and allocate the department’s annual budget, making strategic resource decisions that steward organizational resources wisely. Other duties as assigned. KIPP Leadership Competencies These competencies describe the core leadership behaviors expected at this level – they guide how we hire, develop, and grow our people at KIPP NorCal. Lead Self: You shape a department culture of reflection, renewal, and continuous learning. You work to dismantle inequitable systems and hold your team accountable for equity outcomes. You drive continuous learning and innovation, proactively leveraging external expertise to stay current. Lead People: You build strong cross-difference relationships and cultivate a diverse, high-trust department culture. You use data to drive change, enlist coalitions of support, and communicate roles, accountability, and the pace of change clearly to all stakeholders. You build cross-department coordination structures and account for the impact of your team's decisions on others. Lead Results: You set a clear department strategy and balance long-term investment against near-term results. You make and stand by difficult decisions, sharing rationale transparently. You hold yourself and your team to high expectations and demonstrate genuine accountability for department outcomes. Knowledge & Skills Required Qualifications Experience 7-10 years experience in communications and/or brand management People management experience required Executive / board support experience preferred Education Bachelor’s degree required Masters degree preferred Knowledge/skills Strategic and operational leader with the ability to translate vision into clear priorities, systems, and measurable outcomes Excellent writing, communication, narrative-building, and presentation skills Extraordinary attention to detail, both in planning and execution Strong judgment and decision making skills Ability to forge highly productive relationships with multiple stakeholders, such as senior leadership, site leadership, and board members Time management, problem solving and project management abilities Discretion, integrity and ability to handle confidential information Role Details The following details describe how this role is structured and what to expect day-to-day. Work Setting Onsite (at Oakland Regional Support Office) at least 3 days per week Travel Expectation Regular travel across our 23-school footprint Driver’s License Must have a valid CA driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel Physical Demands Ability to navigate office and school campuses, use technology, and occasionally lift or carry materials [up to 20 lbs] Mental Demands Ability to manage competing priorities, concentrate for sustained periods, analyze complex information, and make decisions under normal work pressures Environmental Office/RSO environment subject to regular interruptions and distractions KIPP Northern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Compensation KIPP Northern California is dedicated to you and your family's well-being! We offer a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision coverage, paid time off, retirement plan with employer contribution and commuter benefits. We benchmark annually against comparably-sized non-profit organizations in the regions where we operate, to offer competitive salaries. The salary range for this position is between $130,000 and $151,000. Most candidates would be compensated at $139,000. How to Apply Please submit a cover letter and resume by clicking apply on this page.