Senior Director, Communications

About the role

The Senior Director of Communications leads the strategy and execution of KIPP Foundation's communications across internal and external audiences. This role oversees earned media, executive communications, issues management, and internal communications-ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact in how KIPP shows up nationwide. The Senior Director partners closely with the Office of the CEO, senior leadership, and regional teams to align messaging, elevate strategic priorities, and strengthen KIPP's brand and reputation. This role manages one direct report and serves as a core member of the Marketing and Communications team, reporting to the VP of Marketing and Communications.

Responsibilities

• The Senior Director of Communications is part of a larger, integrated team-wide marketing and communication team and owns the full communications ecosystem-including earned media, executive communications, issues management, and internal communications
• External and Executive Communications
• Design, lead, and execute a national earned media strategy that aligns with KIPP's annual storytelling arc and organizational priorities -delivering high-profile national and local TV, print, and digital placements.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership (in Office of the CEO, Development, and One KIPP Priority Program Leads) to shape executive communications and secure high-impact speaking engagements and media placements.
• Strengthen regional alignment by cultivating deep partnerships with regional communications leads and coordinating network-wide efforts to elevate local stories and reinforce national messages.
• Oversee sourcing, refine, and elevate regional stories that demonstrate progress on One KIPP priorities for use in campaigns, announcements, speeches, newsletters, and social media.
• Develop external communications plans to announce new KIPP Foundation initiatives and partnerships, including publishing press releases and regional press release templates
• Partner with Digital Marketing colleagues to amplify earned media, executive, and editorial content across channels, including paid media, social media, website, and email
• Serve as an on-the-record spokesperson for the KIPP network
• Monitor and shape KIPP's media reputation, analyzing coverage trends, identifying risks and opportunities, and advising leadership and regional teams accordingly.
• Provide regular media training, coaching and talking points to KIPP Foundation leadership, KIPP network leadership, and regional communications leads
• Grow and maintain media lists for proactive pitching as well as a validators list of teachers, alumni, and families
• Network and Internal Communications
• Lead a cohesive internal communications strategy that keeps regional and Foundation leaders informed, aligned, and connected to KIPP's priorities.
• Partner across KIPP Foundation to shape and deliver clear, consistent messaging to regional and Foundation audiences-ensuring alignment between what we say internally and externally.
• Develop and manage core internal channels and moments, including leadership communications, network-wide announcements, and key organizational updates.
• Crisis Communications
• Lead the design and implementation of KIPP's crisis communications protocol, engaging Foundation and regional stakeholders to ensure clarity, alignment, and rapid execution.
• Build regional capacity by training communications leads on how to tailor and operationalize the crisis protocol locally. Leverage the protocol to publish statements in response to current events across communications channels (email, social media, website, blog)
• Safeguard KIPP's reputation by providing expert counsel and hands-on support to regions navigating sensitive issues-driving toward balanced, accurate, and neutral/positive media coverage.
• Anticipate reputational risks and proactively advise leadership on mitigation strategies and network-wide readiness.
• Team Leadership
• Manage and develop one direct report, setting clear goals and priorities aligned to team outcomes.
• Build systems and workflows that enable strong execution across communications functions.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture grounded in accountability and continuous improvement.
• Skills and Mindsets
• Mission and Student Focus - Demonstrates passion and commitment to KIPP's mission and possesses the desire and ability to uphold KIPP's Core Values (Focus on Excellent Results, Collective Impact, and Courageous Action)
• Work Management - Sets a clear vision for new or complex bodies of work. Develops and implements agile project plans, navigating difficult situations or conflicts while maintaining effective relationships with all stakeholders; creates and ensures systems are in place for knowledge management.
• Self Management - Demonstrated record of setting ambitious goals and achieving them with consistency. Invests in developing teammates' skills and mindsets to address gaps in achieving team

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