Director of Instructional Systems

About KIPP Texas Public Schools

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a free, public charter school network with more than 45 Pre‑K‑12 schools across Austin, Dallas‑Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. With over 30 years in Texas, we collaborate with families and communities to prepare students for college, career, and beyond. Our schools provide a high‑quality, well‑rounded education built on academic success and personal growth, where all students learn and thrive in a productive, safe, and joyful way. Founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, we hire dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals who believe every child can succeed.

Job Description

The Director of Instructional Systems (DOIS) is responsible for driving the consistent, high‑quality implementation of instructional systems across an assigned portfolio of KIPP Texas schools. Reporting to the Managing Director of Instructional Systems (MDIS), the DOIS ensures that academic priorities translate into clear, actionable expectations for schools and supports the ongoing refinement of key structures and data components to strengthen implementation and guarantee systems remain clear, usable, and sustainable.

Role Responsibilities

Instructional Systems Design and Maintenance

• Lead the design and build‑out of instructional data systems, including assessment trackers, progress monitoring tools, and data dashboards.
• Design and support aligned response systems (e.g., CTMs, practice clinics, and professional development) so School Leadership Teams can act on data.
• Translate academic priorities into clear workflows, templates, and expectations for school teams.
• Build reporting structures that enable leaders to quickly identify trends, gaps, and root causes.
• Ensure all tools are intuitive, streamlined, and aligned to the realities of school operations.
• Develop and codify non‑negotiables for system usage to ensure consistency and rigor across all primary schools.
• Refine reporting structures and practices used by leadership to monitor academic performance and instructional effectiveness.

Systems Implementation and Execution

• Lead the rollout of instructional systems, including but not limited to assessment practices, progress monitoring cycles, and data routines.
• Model, co‑facilitate, and coach school leadership teams to execute instructional systems across their schools.
• Establish clear expectations for how these systems are used by school management and school‑based teams.
• Work alongside SLMs to support strong execution, providing targeted, direct guidance where implementation is inconsistent.
• Monitor execution across regions, using observation and leader feedback to identify strengths and gaps.
• Ensure instructional systems are embedded in regular leadership and instructional routines.

Systems Monitoring and Accountability

• Track both the consistency and quality of instructional systems implementation across schools.
• Maintain accuracy and reliability of data structures and reporting.
• Engage school leadership in reviewing implementation trends and identifying areas for improvement.
• Distinguish between compliance and meaningful execution.
• Identify patterns that impact instructional quality and student outcomes.
• Address systems issues and challenges through clear feedback, support, and adjustments.
• Partner with the MDIS to surface risks and contribute to academic health insights.

Instructional Practice and Systems Coherence

• Support leaders in accessing, interpreting, and applying student performance data within instructional systems.
• Facilitate the use of data to inform planning, instructional best practices, and decisions.
• Reinforce strong routines for analysis and follow‑through through ongoing support.
• Identify where data practices are inconsistent and work directly with leaders to strengthen them.

Systems Refinement and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with the MDIS to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional systems based on implementation data and school feedback.
• Identify where systems are not driving clarity, consistency, or strong execution.
• Recommend and implement targeted adjustments to improve usability and impact.
• Simplify or adjust tools and processes that create friction or confusion for school leaders.
• Ensure system updates remain aligned to school‑based realities and instructional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in education, including instructional leadership, data, or systems‑related roles. Prior principal experience highly preferred.
• Experience with data‑driven instruction, assessment design, and progress monitoring systems.
• Demonstrated ability to build or implement systems that impact student outcomes.
• Experience working with or supporting school leaders or instructional teams.

Competency and Skills

Instructional Systems Execution

• Strong systems thinker with ability to design and operationalize instructional systems and tools.
• Attention to detail in ensuring systems are functional, practical, and scalable.
• Ability to translate strategy into clear, executable structures.

Data Systems, Insight, and Analysis

• Skilled in building and managing data tools and reporting systems.
• Skilled in analyzing academic data to identify trends, gaps, and root causes.
• Ability to interpret data and support others in using it effectively.
• Strong focus on accuracy, usability, and actionability of data.

Implementation and Project Management

• Proven ability to manage complex projects and drive execution across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and follow‑through to ensure systems are implemented with fidelity.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high quality.

Collaboration and Influence

• Ability to work effectively across teams and functions.
• Strong communication skills to translate technical systems into user‑friendly practices.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.

Commitment to Student Outcomes

• Relentless focus on improving student achievement.
• Deep belief in the potential of all students, particularly those in historically underserved communities.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.
• Candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings, and training sessions both virtually and in person within the region.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Additional Requirements

• Reliable transportation needed for travel between campuses and across regions.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions.

Work Environment

• Reports to school or central office site Monday‑Friday.
• Typical school/office environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements

Frequent travel throughout the state to KIPP’s multiple regions: regular and consistent travel to various school sites, regional offices, or external locations for professional learning, academic leadership, data reviews, meetings, and other work‑related activities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.
• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
• Paid family leave.
• Flexible spending account or high‑yield HSA.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Employee‑paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance, and disability insurance.

EEO: KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job duties. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.