Manager of School Strategy and Projects (Immediate)

KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond.

Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500+ students in grades K-12 across seven schools. We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts. Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region, we support every student and educator to see those gifts, and then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Position Overview

The Manager of School Strategy and Projects plays a critical role in supporting the Chief Schools Officer (CSO) and Schools Team in the planning, coordination, and execution of regional priorities, strategic initiatives, and administrative operations across KIPP Capital Region.

Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic Project Management & Execution

• Partner directly with the CSO to coordinate and execute strategic projects, initiatives, and priorities across the Schools Team.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, dependencies, and assigned responsibilities.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely execution, effective coordination, and alignment with regional priorities.
• Establish and maintain project management tools, trackers, dashboards, and reporting systems that provide visibility into progress and outcomes.
• Monitor project milestones and proactively follow up with stakeholders to ensure deliverables are completed on time.
• Identify potential project risks, barriers, and competing priorities, elevating concerns to the CSO with recommended solutions.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving school leaders, regional departments, and external stakeholders as directed by the CSO.
• Support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Schools Team initiatives, ensuring strong execution from initiation through completion.
• Track progress against established goals and prepare regular project updates, status reports, and recommendations for the CSO.
• Support the development and implementation of systems that improve project accountability, efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.

CSO Executive & Administrative Support

• Serve as a key administrative and operational partner to the CSO, ensuring effective coordination and execution of daily, weekly, and long-term priorities.
• Manage and coordinate the CSO's administrative priorities, including scheduling, meeting preparation, follow-up, and tracking critical commitments.
• Coordinate complex calendars, meetings, and engagements involving school leaders, regional executives, and external stakeholders.
• Anticipate the CSO's administrative and operational needs, proactively preparing materials, information, and resources to support effective decision-making.
• Prepare meeting agendas, presentations, briefing documents, reports, correspondence, and other materials on behalf of the CSO.
• Organize and maintain confidential records, documents, reports, and files related to Schools Team priorities and leadership matters.
• Track outstanding requests, commitments, and action items to ensure timely follow-through and resolution.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, event logistics, and other administrative needs related to CSO and Schools Team responsibilities.
• Support the CSO in managing competing priorities by identifying urgent matters, organizing workflows, and maintaining visibility into critical deadlines.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive organizational, personnel, and school leadership information.

Schools Team Operations & Coordination

• Coordinate the administrative operations of the Schools Team to ensure efficient systems, consistent communication, and strong execution of regional priorities.
• Support the planning and facilitation of Schools Team meetings, leadership convenings, retreats, professional development sessions, and other regional initiatives.
• Develop meeting agendas, organize materials, document key decisions, and track follow-up actions.
• Maintain centralized systems for managing Schools Team documents, calendars, project plans, and operational resources.
• Coordinate information and requests between the CSO, Principals, school leadership teams, and regional departments.
• Support the development and implementation of standardized administrative processes that improve efficiency and consistency across the Schools Team.
• Assist with the coordination of school leadership onboarding, transitions, and other administrative processes as directed by the CSO.
• Support the preparation and execution of key annual planning activities, including beginning-of-year readiness, leadership planning, and end-of-year priorities.
• Coordinate logistics, materials, scheduling, and communications for Schools Team initiatives and events.
• Ensure timely completion of administrative requests, reports, and deliverables assigned by the CSO.

Data Management, Reporting & Accountability

• Develop and maintain trackers, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor Schools Team priorities, project milestones, and organizational commitments.
• Collect, organize, and synthesize information from school leaders and regional stakeholders to support CSO decision-making.
• Prepare accurate, timely, and visually clear reports, presentations, and executive summaries.
• Monitor progress against established project timelines and administrative deliverables, identifying trends, gaps, and areas requiring attention.
• Support the CSO in preparing materials for executive leadership meetings, Board presentations, and other organizational reporting requirements.
• Maintain organized documentation of key decisions, project updates, and follow-up actions.
• Ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and consistency in all data collection, reporting, and documentation processes.
• Identify opportunities to streamline reporting processes and improve access to information.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a central point of coordination between the CSO, Schools Team, Principals, and regional departments for assigned projects and administrative priorities.
• Build strong working relationships with school leaders, regional executives, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration to ensure alignment on project goals, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Coordinate meetings, information sharing, and follow-up across multiple departments and school locations.
• Proactively identify communication gaps, competing priorities, and potential barriers to execution.
• Support stakeholders in understanding project expectations, timelines, and deliverables.
• Maintain a professional, responsive, and solutions-oriented approach when navigating competing requests and organizational priorities.
• Elevate unresolved issues and decisions requiring CSO input in a timely manner.

Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement

• Assess existing Schools Team administrative and project management processes to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
• Design and implement standardized templates, trackers, workflows, and documentation systems.
• Support the adoption of project management tools and processes that strengthen accountability and execution.
• Identify opportunities to reduce administrative inefficiencies and streamline routine processes.
• Establish consistent practices for meeting management, communication, project tracking, and follow-through.
• Gather feedback from the CSO and Schools Team stakeholders to continuously improve systems and processes.
• Document standard operating procedures and maintain accessible resources to support continuity and organizational knowledge.
• Leverage technology and data management tools to improve productivity, organization, and communication.

Communication

• Maintain consistent, proactive communication with the CSO regarding priorities, deadlines, progress, and outstanding decisions.
• Draft and coordinate professional communications, announcements, presentations, and updates on behalf of the CSO as directed.
• Ensure timely dissemination of information and follow-up related to Schools Team meetings, projects, and initiatives.
• Communicate project expectations, timelines, and deliverables clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Foster a collaborative, professional, and solutions-oriented culture across the Schools Team and regional organization.

KIPP Capital Region

• Perform other duties outlined by the Chief Schools Officer.
• Committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students together.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services
• Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including developing and participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited College or University is preferred. High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate required.
• At least two (2) years of professional experience in project management, program coordination, executive support, operations, administration, or a related field.
• Experience supporting senior leaders or executive teams, preferably within education, nonprofit organizations, or complex multi-site environments.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple projects, coordinating stakeholders, and delivering results within established timelines.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, including calendar management, meeting coordination, document preparation, and project tracking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing professional correspondence, presentations, reports, and executive summaries.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and project management tools.
• Experience developing and maintaining project trackers, dashboards, workflows, and administrative systems.
• Ability to analyze information, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, anticipate needs, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Prior experience working in public charter schools, K–12 education, or mission-driven organizations preferred.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional initiatives and working with multiple stakeholders preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule outside regular business hours when necessary.
• Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods spent sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to access and navigate school buildings, regional offices, and other facilities as needed.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, to perform essential job responsibilities.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, use fingers to type, handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, talk, and hear.
• Dexterity required to operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, phones, and calculators.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.