Senior Director, AI Strategy, Innovation

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York.

📋 Description

• Develop and guide KIPP's multi-year, network-wide AI strategy in alignment with One KIPP and the KIPP 2030 Plan.

• Act as the AI expert and advisor for the KIPP Foundation, regions, Schools team, and Foundation leadership.

• Oversee KIPP's stance on instructional AI and maintain the network's AI decision-making framework.

• Translate AI strategy for regional superintendents, development officers, and school leaders.

• Manage the AI pilot group, establishing priorities and evidence standards.

• Design and implement measurement systems for AI pilots.

• Evaluate pilot quality, gather and analyze evidence, and create pilot reports with actionable recommendations.

• Collaborate with the Schools team and external researchers on comparison designs, subgroup analyses, and data strategies.

• Assess AI tools for effectiveness, accessibility, bias and equity risks, implementation needs, total cost of ownership, privacy, and security.

• Serve as the final decision-maker on AI vendors, uses, and methodologies.

• Make recommendations on scaling, continuing, or halting initiatives based on pilot data.

• Identify, negotiate, and manage partnerships with research and development partners, vendors, and university researchers.

• Coordinate efforts with the Data and Technology team.

• Advise Foundation teams on the effective internal use of AI.

• Maintain a comprehensive network inventory of AI tools, costs, funding sources, outcomes, lessons learned, and privacy considerations.

• Counsel regions on the suitability of AI tools and evidence requirements while respecting regional authority.

• Facilitate multi-region pilots addressing shared challenges and evaluation designs.

• Cultivate relationships with funders and position KIPP to secure philanthropic support for AI initiatives.

• Represent KIPP at AI education conferences, meetings, and forums.

• Provide weekly updates on the ecosystem to the CEO.

• Manage the strategic narrative and evidence base for external development communications.

• Prepare AI Working Group updates for the KIPP Foundation Board.

• Incorporate pilot insights into national guidance and the annual One KIPP planning cycle.

⛳️ Requirements

• Strong passion and commitment to KIPP’s mission, with the ability to uphold KIPP’s core values.

• Proven track record of setting ambitious goals and consistently achieving them.

• Experience in establishing visions, creating agile project plans, managing conflicts, and developing knowledge-management systems.

• Ability to align goals and project plans with organizational priorities and utilize data to enhance processes.

• Proficiency in defining metrics and driving decisions and recommendations based on data.

• Capability to communicate change effectively through clear presentations and tailor messaging for diverse audiences.

• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, relationship-building, and communication skills.

• In-depth, current expertise in AI tools and a working knowledge of their capabilities and limitations.

• Ability to assess AI products concerning instructional goals, efficacy, accessibility, bias and equity risks, and student data privacy.

• Competence in designing measurement systems to determine the effectiveness of AI tools for various student groups.

• 7–10+ years of professional experience.

• 5+ years in K-12 education.

• Progressive leadership experience in complex, mission-driven organizations.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; an advanced degree is preferred.

• Deep, current knowledge of AI and its applications in education.

• Experience teaching or leading in schools that serve students similar to those KIPP serves.

• Demonstrated success in leading strategy or major initiatives across a school system, charter management organization, or multi-region network.

• Experience in aligning senior leaders and teams without direct authority.

• Experience in designing measurement or evaluation systems for programs or pilots.

• Experience collaborating with research partners on comparison designs, subgroup analyses, and data strategies.

• Experience translating evaluation results into clear recommendations.

• Experience in negotiating and managing partnerships with vendors, research organizations, or universities.

• Working knowledge of student data privacy, FERPA, and various state regulatory environments.

• Preferred experience in building relationships with funders or securing philanthropic support.

• Experience with budget management and vendor contract oversight is a plus.

🏝️ Benefits

• 25 holidays.

• 18 additional flexible PTO days, increasing to 23 days for years 3 and 4, and to 28 days for years 5 and beyond.

• 100% paid parental leave.

• 100% coverage of the premium for employee medical, dental, and vision plans.

• 75% coverage of the premium for employee + family medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Fitness reimbursement programs.

• Discounted tickets for theme parks and attractions.

• Backup care support for children and adults/elders.

• Employee assistance program.

• 401K retirement plan with a 4% match.

• Employer-sponsored legal plans.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Option for full-time remote work.

• Up to 10% travel (up to 20 days per year).