Academics Special Projects Manager

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free public charter schools preparing students with the skills and confidence needed to create the futures they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 279 schools, nearly 16,500 educators, and 210,000 students and alumni. KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools (KPPS) is part of the national KIPP Public Schools network and currently leads eight schools serving 3,400 students in North and West Philadelphia. By 2030, KPPS will be serving approximately 4,000 students. KPPS Mission Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Life at KPPS At KPPS, we believe that talented, committed, and culturally competent educators and staff are the foundation of our students' success. We work to create a professional community grounded in joy, candor, care, and connection – where every team member can bring their authentic self, grow in their craft, and contribute to meaningful work. Here is what you can expect: Commitment to Anti-Racism & Equity: Join a team dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and creating inclusive, culturally responsive schools where all students and staff can thrive. Joyful, Inclusive Community: Work in a collaborative, identity-affirming environment that values relationships, celebrates individuality, and supports the well-being of adults and children alike. Competitive & Equitable Compensation: Benefit from transparent compensation structures, including performance-based bonuses that recognize meaningful contributions. Professional Growth & Leadership Pathways: Access high-quality development – including coaching, workshops, and tailored leadership opportunities – designed to support your long-term career trajectory. Authenticity & Belonging : Be part of a culture that encourages you to show up as your full self and contribute to a community rooted in trust and respect. People-Centered Excellence: Join colleagues who believe strong relationships and thoughtful preparation drive excellent outcomes—for students and for staff. Comprehensive Well-Being Support: Receive whole-person support through coaching, mental health resources, wellness initiatives, and team-building experiences that prioritize your professional and personal growth. Role Overview: Are you a highly organized, detail-oriented educator ready to make an impact beyond the classroom? Do you thrive on developing systems that drive success and enjoy being the backbone of high-impact operations? If so, the Academics Special Projects Manager role might be your perfect fit! Reporting to the Managing Director of Teaching & Learning, the Academics Special Projects Manager will manage a portfolio of projects that includes professional development, annual planning, resource management, contract procurement, budgeting & compliance reporting, and other Academic Team activities. Additionally, the Manager will ensure the maintenance of important student support documents and contract procurement. The Manager leads the planning and logistics work that ensures professional development sessions (in person and virtual) run smoothly, serves as the team’s designated archivist by effectively organizing and storing learning materials, ensures that next steps and coordinating actions are effectively shared and followed through on, and performs a variety of other academic operations tasks and process that allow team members to focus their time on design and direct school support work. If you’re excited to support our mission, build effective systems, and help bring professional development and academic operations to life, we’d love to meet you! Key Responsibilities:  Project Management  Ensure learning materials and internally-facing team materials are effectively collected, organized, stored, shared, and archived  Work with team members and vendors to create and publish the team’s booklist (curricular materials, texts, and supplies) annually  Support data management by uploading assessments and producing reports as needed  Create and manage communication among and between the academic team, greater regional office and members of school teams  Update and maintain internal communication structure such as google websites, information hubs, shared outlook calendars and the regional landing page Academic Operations Generate academic assessments using online platform  Maintain student support legal files & the academic shared drive by creating an organization system with accessibility for appropriate leaders and effective archiving methods  Tracks student support documentation and communicates with a variety of stakeholders to get any needed student support documentation  Support compliance reporting tasks associated with charter renewal, annual plan submission, and other academic team submissions in collaboration with the Operations team  Track and monitor Student Support budget-to-actuals  Contract Procurement and Management  Effectively liaise with external vendors to ensure contracts have the best terms, pricing, and delivery options  Prepares and administers contracts and purchase orders with specific vendors  Review vendor proposals to ensure that all requirements are met and make recommendations to appropriate stakeholders  Maintain a database regarding vendor performance and quality of products.  Track vendor contracts and compare available goods with industry trends to determine appropriate pricing or opportunities to save Logistics & Coordination  Lead the logistical planning and execution of in-person and virtual professional development sessions for teachers, leaders, and team members across KPPS (ranging from ~20 to ~300 participants), ensuring that communication to participants is timely and clearly, accurately outlines all