Vice President, People

About The Position

The KIPP Foundation is at a defining moment, aiming to deepen its impact by building a talent system that enables every leader and staff member to thrive. The Vice President of People will design and drive an integrated, insights-driven talent strategy that connects recruitment, onboarding, development, engagement, and retention. This leader will ensure that KIPP's talent systems not only support leaders but empower them to deliver meaningful results and foster a high-performing, equitable, and inclusive workforce.

Responsibilities

Talent Strategy & Organizational Alignment

• Set and drive the overall talent strategy and philosophy for the KIPP Foundation workforce, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, culture, and long-term goals.
• Partner with executive leadership to align talent strategy with organizational design, workforce planning, and operational priorities.
• Ensure a coherent, integrated talent system across recruitment, onboarding, HR operations, performance management, development, engagement, and offboarding.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on organizational effectiveness, talent health, and workforce strategy, using data and insights.

Talent Systems & Organizational Effectiveness

• Oversee the design and effectiveness of the full talent lifecycle to drive strong performance, development, and retention.
• Set the vision for performance management and development systems, including goal setting, feedback, and evaluation processes.
• Ensure effective HR operations and infrastructure, including recruitment, onboarding, Total Rewards, and compliance.
• Use workforce, engagement, and performance data to monitor organizational health, identify risks, and drive continuous improvement.

Employee Relations, Policy & Risk Management

• Establish the vision, policies, and standards for employee relations, including performance management, conflict resolution, and policy compliance.
• Ensure consistent, fair, and compliant application of HR policies and practices.
• Advise senior leaders on complex employee relations matters and organizational risk.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop the Talent function, setting strategic direction for People Operations and Development & Growth.
• Oversee and coach Senior Directors, ensuring clear ownership, alignment, and accountability.
• Set enterprise-level priorities and allocate resources to focus the Talent function on high-impact work.
• Drive alignment and integration across talent systems for a seamless employee experience.
• Foster a high-performing, outcomes-driven culture within the Talent team.
• Build leadership capacity across the team through coaching and clear performance standards.
• Act as a visible culture leader, modeling organizational values and reinforcing high performance, equity, and impact.

Organizational Talent Planning & Culture

• Partner with leadership to drive annual workforce planning, talent strategy, and culture priorities.
• Ensure alignment between talent strategy, employee experience, and organizational culture.
• Support the organization in building a strong, inclusive, and high-performing workforce aligned with KIPP's mission and values.

Qualifications

Skills and Mindsets

• Mission and Student Focus: Passion and commitment to KIPP’s mission and core values.
• Self-Management: Demonstrated record of setting and achieving ambitious goals; effectively monitors progress; fosters a culture of achievement.
• Work Management: Sets a clear vision; develops and implements agile project plans; creates and ensures knowledge management systems.
• Data-Driven Actions and Decisions: Effectively uses data to shape teamwide decisions; generates and implements scalable solutions.
• Problem Solving: Addresses root causes and removes obstacles; anticipates risks and develops proactive solutions.
• Communication and Change Management: Articulates case for change effectively; translates vision into actionable plans; champions network-wide change.
• People Management and Development: Ensures strong professional development and coaching for teammates; proficient in succession and performance management; fosters positive team culture.

Experience and Qualifications

• 8+ years of senior HR and talent management leadership experience in nonprofit or education contexts.
• Understanding of the current education climate and response strategies.
• Strong background in leading with equity at the center, especially through organizational change.
• Experience cultivating a value-driven, equitable, and inclusive work culture in a virtual environment.

Additional Information

• Work Conditions: Moderate Travel (up to 10%, ~20 days/year). Full, exempt role.
• Location: Preferred to be based out of a KIPP Foundation office (NYC, Chicago), but remote option is available.
• Compensation and Benefits: Salary range: $197,600-$236,500. Benefits include 25 holidays + 18 flexible PTO days (increasing with tenure), 100% paid parental leave, 100% employee medical/dental/vision premium coverage (75% for family), wellness benefits, 401K with 4% match, employer-sponsored legal plans, life/disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KIPP Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.