Chief Impact Officer

Organizational Overview

KIPP Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public charter schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. KIPP Atlanta currently operates a regional network of schools and KIPP Forward, which supports scholars on their journey to a choice-filled life. We are a social justice organization and our vision and mission require bold, skilled, and deeply committed leaders who believe joyful, academically excellent schools are foundational to a more just and equitable world.

Job Overview

The Chief Impact Officer (CIO) is charged with setting and implementing the vision for external affairs and advancement at KIPP Atlanta Schools. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CIO leads the organization's work to strengthen its brand, deepen community trust, grow strategic partnerships, increase philanthropic support, and expand KIPP Atlanta's voice, influence, and long-term impact in the region.

The Chief Impact Officer oversees development, communications, district and external partnerships, advocacy, family and community engagement, and KIPP Forward. The CIO serves as a senior advisor to the CEO on external strategy and helps ensure KIPP Atlanta is well-positioned with families, partners, funders, policymakers, and the broader community. This role is also responsible for shaping and communicating the organization's long-term vision, priorities, and impact.

The Chief Impact Officer is accountable for organization-wide external strategy, advancement, partnerships, reputation, and long-term influence in support of KIPP Atlanta's mission and sustainability. This role is expected to exercise significant executive judgment, manage reputational and relationship risk, and contribute meaningfully to long-term growth, stakeholder confidence, and organizational sustainability.

Job Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership - 25%
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO on external affairs, partnerships, fundraising, communications, and reputation strategy.
- Represent the CEO and KIPP Atlanta in external settings, including with district leaders, funders, community partners, policymakers, and advocacy partners.
- Serve as a key contributor to organizational direction-setting with the Executive Team and help ensure strong alignment between external strategy and regional priorities.
- Provide regular updates to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board on advancement, partnerships, advocacy, communications, and external risks and opportunities.
- Support the organization in navigating reputational, community, or stakeholder challenges with sound judgment and strategic communication.

Team Leadership and People Development - 20%
- Lead and develop a high-performing external affairs and advancement team through strong management, coaching, feedback, and performance accountability.
- Build effective systems for planning, budgeting, goal-setting, progress monitoring, communication, and collaboration across the portfolio.
- Hold team members accountable to annual goals, performance metrics, and organizational priorities.
- Ensure strong cross-functional coordination between external-facing teams and other regional functions, including schools, strategy, finance, and operations.

External Strategy, Advancement, and Partnerships - 35%
- Design and lead a compelling external affairs and advancement strategy that aligns with KIPP Atlanta's mission, long-term priorities, and sustainability needs.
- Lead the organization's development and fundraising strategy to support annual revenue goals, long-term sustainability, and priority initiatives.
- Build and steward strong relationships with institutional funders, individual donors, corporate partners, community-based organizations, and civic leaders.
- Lead district and external partnership strategy, ensuring strong day-to-day management of key relationships and alignment to organizational needs.
- Partner closely with the CEO on high-priority fundraising relationships, major gifts, and strategic external opportunities.
- Support the organization's long-term public positioning and influence in ways that expand opportunity and impact for KIPP Atlanta scholars and families.

Communications, Advocacy, and Community Engagement - 20%
- Oversee the organization's communications and marketing strategy to ensure strong, consistent, and compelling messaging across external audiences.
- Strengthen and steward the KIPP Atlanta brand in ways that build trust, engagement, and public understanding of the organization's mission and impact.
- Lead advocacy and government affairs efforts that extend KIPP Atlanta's voice and influence on issues affecting students, families, and the communities KIPP serves.
- Oversee family and community engagement strategies that strengthen communication, trust, and connection with students, families, alumni, and community stakeholders.
- Oversee KIPP Forward and ensure strong alignment between postsecondary success efforts and the broader organizational vision for scholar and alumni outcomes.

Qualifications

- Bachelor's Degree required; Master's Degree or other advanced degree preferred
- Minimum 15 years of professional experience with progressively increasing scope and responsibility
- Minimum 6 years of experience leading senior organizational and/or enterprise leaders
- Demonstrated record of organization-wide impact, including strategy design and execution, risk mitigation, and governance
- Proven ability to lead a major enterprise function or cross-functional body of work with significant decision-making authority, complexity, and organizational risk
- Strong track record in one or more of the following areas: fundraising, advancement, communications, marketing, public affairs, partnerships, community engagement, or nonprofit leadership
- Demonstrated ability to create a vision, develop strategy, marshal resources, and execute on complex organizational objectives
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to represent the organization with credibility across diverse audiences
- Strong judgment and ability to navigate complex legal, political, reputational, and community dynamics
- Track record of building, leading, motivating, and developing high-performing teams
- Strong commitment to educational equity and deep alignment to the mission of KIPP Atlanta Schools

Preferred Qualifications

- Advanced degree preferred
- If relevant, Georgia leadership certification preferred
- Experience in a charter school network, public education system, nonprofit, advocacy organization, or similarly complex mission-driven setting
- Experience leading multi-function teams across advancement, communications, partnerships, and community engagement
- Strong fundraising experience, including donor strategy and stewardship

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $135,000 - $200,000 (Level 8 within KIPP Atlanta compensation structure)

KIPP Atlanta Schools offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Paid Time Off, in addition to identified holidays and regular school breaks
- Comprehensive health insurance (medical and dental), life insurance, and optional short and long term disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Participation in Georgia retirement plan and an optional 403(b) retirement plan

Location: Atlanta, GA (in-person role requiring regular presence in schools and in-person meetings)