Director, College Partnerships (West) apply by September 14, 2026

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free 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 279 schools, nearly 16,500 educators, and nearly 210,000 students and alumni.

About the Role

The KIPP Foundation is investing heavily in resources and strategies to increase the number of KIPP alum who graduate from college. We’re hiring a Director of College Partnerships – West to identify, cultivate, and formalize college/university partnerships that position KIPP alum to enroll and persist in colleges compatible for their aspirations and needs. This role will oversee this work in our Western portfolio, comprising KIPP regions in California and Colorado plus colleges/universities in those areas and several surrounding states. You will serve as the primary point person and expert on college partnerships across the Western terrain.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and formalize university partnerships that increase college enrollment and completion for KIPP students & alum, including fortifying existing partnerships, reactivating dormant partnerships, and building new partnerships with national universities, regional institutions, HBCUs, and HSIs.
• Develop, negotiate, and finalize MOUs, stewarding clear commitments and measurable, symbiotic goals aligned with our 2030 vision.
• Maintain and revise MOUs as needed to align with evolving context, outcomes, and needs.
• Partner with our national College Advancement Team and regional KIPP Forward teams to integrate partnerships into student advising and match strategies.
• Exchange work and best practices with other Directors of College Partnerships to fuel cohesion and collective performance.
• Strengthen institutional memory of strategies, plans, wins, and challenges with college partners.
• Support the codification of best practices in college partnerships.
• Contribute to the development of our College Partnerships strategy, including determining partnership criteria, baseline MOU structure, goals, benchmarks, and accountability structures.

Qualifications

• Prior experience working with first-generation college students and/or students (K-12 or college) navigating economic barriers.
• 7 or more years building and managing a portfolio of partnerships—preferably with colleges/universities or charter schools across a multi-state territory.
• At least 2 years building and maintaining MOUs or institutional agreements.
• Demonstrated experience using data to identify trends, inform decisions, and drive outcomes.
• Strong record of success setting and reaching ambitious goals.
• Record of success working cross-functionally with a diverse array of stakeholders to implement initiatives and reach goals.
• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Skills

• Core Mindsets:
  • Strong Alignment to our Mission and Student Focus: Demonstrates passion for, and commitment to, KIPP’s mission and core values.
  • Exceptional Self Awareness: Practices self-awareness at work, using reflection, feedback, and self-understanding to grow and persist through challenges.
  • Commitment to Continuous Learning: Engages in ongoing personal development, holding themselves accountable to evolving and growing in ways that improve results for students and the community.
  • Courageous Action: Approaches challenges with resilience, a solutions-focused mindset, and adaptability, fostering a psychologically safe environment centered on trust and accountability.
• Core Skills:
  • Partnership and Alliance Building: Generates enthusiasm and commitments with internal and external stakeholders to advance KIPP’s mission.
  • Stellar, Compelling Written & Oral Communication: Tailors communications for different audiences to deepen investment and drive action.
  • Effective Collaboration: Develops successful working relationships with diverse constituents to deliver results.
  • Self-Management to Achieve Ambitious Goals: Sets and achieves ambitious goals consistently, investing in teammates’ growth to address gaps.
  • Strong Problem Solving: Addresses root causes of problems, removes obstacles, and anticipates risks with proactive solutions.

Work Conditions

• Extensive travel: ~30-50% (65-110 days per year).
• Some evening or weekend work (e.g., events, conferences) occasionally required.
• Full-time, exempt role.
• Remote, with a strong preference to live in California or Colorado.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $124,800 - $150,000, based on factors such as external market data, internal equity, and relevant experience.

Benefits

• 25 holidays plus 18 additional flexible PTO days (increases to 23 days for years 3-4 and 28 days for years 5+).
• 100% paid parental leave.
• 100% coverage of premiums for employee medical, dental, and vision plans; 75% coverage for employee + family.
• Wellness benefits, including fitness reimbursements, discounted tickets to theme parks/attractions, backup care support for children and adults/elders, and an employee assistance program.
• Finance security benefits, including a 401K retirement plan with 4% match, employer-sponsored legal plans, life/disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.