26-27 Associate Director of Academic Operations (ADAO)

Job description

26-27 Associate Director of Academic Operations (ADAO)

Full-time

Start Date: Immediate opening

Department: School-based Support

Compensation: USD 87000 - USD - yearly

About KIPP New Jersey

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate 7,035 students in grades K-12 across 18 schools in Newark, Camden, and Paterson. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. To learn more, visit .

Here’s what you need to know:

The Associate Director of Academic Operations (ADAO) will be the face of day-to-day academic operations for our students, staff and teachers. They will work collaboratively with the Director of School Operations (DSO), Teaching and Learning (T&L), and the school leadership team to ensure that the operational needs of teachers and of the instructional program are being met. They also partner with our KIPP Forward (KF) team to support their efforts in preparing for college and career readiness. The ADAO will be a critical player in supporting our schools’ operations so that our school leader and instructional staff can focus on what matters most: helping our students get to and through college.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

School Schedule Development and Maintenance / Registrar

In partnership with the DSO and T&L, leads the annual school schedule build for the coming school year and is ultimately the owner of the school’s master schedule.

Reviews transcripts and schedules all new students in PowerSchool

Implements any necessary schedule changes requested by students and/or staff throughout the school year

Supports students in ensuring that they are on track for graduation as needed.

Completes transcript requests for students that have transferred or graduated

In coordination with School leader, maintain the course catalog and bell schedule

Test Coordination and Administration (PSAT, SAT, State Testing, AP, iReady)

Serve as the school's testing coordinator for PSAT, SAT, AP, and NJ state assessments — rostering, scheduling, proctor training, day-of administration, makeups, and irregularity reporting

Ensures appropriate student testing environment and coordinates with T&L and tech team as necessary

Attends any required CMO (Charter Management Organization) and/or state trainings

Home Instruction Coordination

Lead the home instruction process for students on medical home instruction and suspension in compliance with all state requirements

Serve as the external vendor liaison and ensure contracts are in place and purchasing orders are setup for home instruction

Update Student Information Systems with the required program information

Regularly audit to ensure compliance with home instruction requirements and that teachers are providing required services

Setup and approve home instruction payroll

Academic Operations

Own grade integrity: audit gradebooks for accuracy, monitor GPA trends, and build action plans with teachers and managers where gradebooks are off track

Manage transcripts, report cards, and testing reports — including alumni transcript requests and graduation verifications from outside agencies

Meet with T&L and tech team as necessary

Serve as the school based point person for summer school planning including the identification of and communication to families of students at risk for retention

Graduation Support

In coordination with KF, maintain graduation progress tracking system

In coordination with KF, quarterly monitor students progress to graduation and regularly adjust student schedules as needed (i.e. IEP placement changes, transfers, change requests, retained students)

In coordination with KF, implement and support diverse CTE (Career and Technical Education) opportunities for students

Ensure students have schedules that allow them to graduate with a standard diploma

Work with KF counselor and DSO to ensure logistics for Diploma and transcript distribution for graduation and post-secondary matriculation

Track student progress toward scholar and CTE distinction diplomas working with KIPP Forward to promote completion of distinction diplomas

Manage tracking of student completion of all assessment requirements and alternate assessment pathways

Staff Support

Schedule, arrange for and communicate class coverage with substitutes and internal teachers daily

Support the DSO as needed with staff onboarding to the organization

Coordinate any professional development support in partnership with school leadership team

Communicate all operational updates through staff notes and school specific communication streams

Support school staff as requested with logistics for school events and activities including Saturday School, parent meetings, assemblies, shows, graduation, and field trips

Troubleshoot with external service providers as needed and oversee their work when necessary

Partner with the leadership team on school readiness for the first day of school and maintaining building standards throughout the year

Owning the 1:1 technology system for students

Tier 1 tech support to all staff and students as needed

Manage and maintain relationship with technology team as it relates to 1:1 tech support

Manage student staff device deployment and auditing

Ensure all technology is ready and functional for key testing windows

Student Recruitment and Enrollment

Lead/support in new student onboarding and first days of school

Partner with the leadership team on retention conversations with families considering a transfer

Support with 8th to 9th transition and immersion days as needed

Support larger operations team with attendance and student recruitment/ enrollment initiatives

Outcomes:

Meet school-specific ADA goal by LDOS Meet school-specific CA goal by last day of school

Meet school-specific persistence goal by 9/30/26

90% of staff agree/strongly agree across "Day-to-day operations at my school run smoothly," "When I need something at my school, I know who to ask," "Procedures at my school maximize the time students spend learning," "My school's systems track student information in a way that is useful and up to date" on internal stakeholder surveys (TNTP)

90% of staff agree/strongly agree across "Attendance systems run well at my school" and "I have access to the supplies I need to do my job" on internal support surveys

Must Haves:

2+ years managing school operations in a charter or district setting

Proficient in GSuite and Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and Google Sheets

Experience using SIS systems such as PowerSchool

Database management and reporting

Strong written and oral communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Demonstrated ability to work with a team on collaborative projects

Ability to remain calm and solutions-oriented in high-stress situations

Commitment to doing whatever it takes to ensure our teachers and students have what they need to be successful

Ability to proactively problem solve and anticipate challenges before they occur

Ability to identify inefficiencies and generate creative solutions

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and comfortably with ambiguity

Strong organization skills and meticulous attention to detail

Superb customer service skills and love and support for families and children

Ability to troubleshoot and manage high stress situations with a calm and positive demeanor

This job requires the individual to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, absent a legally required accommodation, pursuant to a New Jersey Executive Order and federal and state guidance

Nice to Haves:

Previous experience in a customer service oriented role

Previous experience in an educational or non-profit setting

Experience with generative AI and platforms such as Claude and ChatGPT

Proficiency in Spanish

Direct experience with at least two of: master schedule building, state or College Board test coordination, student rostering, or transcript/credit management

KIPP NJ offers competitive salaries to newly hired staff members. Salaries are based on prior experience and in accordance with certification requirements. KIPP NJ offers a competitive salary range of $87,000-$113,000+ for this position.

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:

Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision

Participation in the New Jersey Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund, provided appropriate teacher certification

Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions

Transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into Newark from the New York City area

Generous Time-Off including 3.5-4 school vacation weeks (depending on the year), allocated sick and personal days, and an extended summer break

Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers

Employer paid life insurance

Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.

#LI-NJ

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Worksite address

camden, NJ, 08100, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.