Vice President, Financial Planning And Operations

About the Organization

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 279 schools, nearly 16,500 educators, and nearly 210,000 students and alumni.

Our mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Our vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

The KIPP Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports KIPP public charter schools across the country. The KIPP Foundation helps to develop outstanding educators to lead KIPP schools; provides tools and resources for excellent teaching and learning; promotes innovation; and facilitates the exchange of insights and ideas across KIPP and other public schools and organizations.

About Our Values

• Excellent Results for Students: We value results over effort and know that our work is not finished until all students thrive. We maintain high expectations for self, team, and students. We drive outcomes by operating with agility, removing barriers, differentiating support, and prioritizing student-centered solutions—especially for those at the margins.
• Collective Impact: We are one team. We win together. We embody a one-team mindset by working collaboratively across teams, aligning goals, and leveraging the strengths of all teammates. We build trust-based relationships and ensure inclusive decision-making by engaging those closest to the work. We provide clarity through simple, repeatable systems and goals that enable transformational outcomes.
• Courageous Action: Our belief in what we can achieve is unwavering, fueling our optimism and commitment to overcome any challenge. We demonstrate an unwavering belief in students' potential and a commitment to addressing systemic inequities. We approach challenges with resilience, a solutions-focused mindset, and adaptability. We foster a psychologically safe environment centered on trust and accountability where feedback is encouraged. We leverage data to reflect on progress, own setbacks, celebrate successes, and continuously improve to maximize impact.

About The Position

The KIPP Foundation seeks a Vice President, Financial Planning and Operations to lead the Foundation's financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, and to strengthen financial performance across KIPP's national network of 279 schools. This is an opportunity to shape how a mission-driven national organization plans, invests, and operates, and to help ensure every KIPP region has the financial strength to sustain excellent schools for students.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and serving on the Foundation's senior leadership team, the Vice President leads a team of six, including four direct reports: two Senior Directors of Financial Planning and Support, a Director of Finance Systems and Reporting, and a Director of Finance Operations. You will partner closely with Foundation senior leaders and regional finance leaders to set clear expectations, identify risk early, and direct support where it matters most.

The ideal candidate brings deep nonprofit finance expertise, with education finance experience across more than one state strongly preferred. This leader moves easily between strategy and execution, has built high-performing teams and scalable systems, and believes strong financial stewardship is essential to great outcomes for students.

Responsibilities

• Financial Strategy and Sustainability: Own the Foundation's annual operating budget and long-term financial sustainability; partner with fundraising and grants teams; build long-term financial models; manage liquidity against a seven-month cash reserve target.
• Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Reporting: Lead the full annual budget cycle; lead the Foundation's forecasting work; partner with talent and program teams to align staffing and investment; lead timely, accurate monthly financial reporting and analysis.
• Finance Operations, Systems, and Internal Controls: Oversee core finance operations (procurement, AP/AR, payroll, etc.); maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness; drive efficiency through process improvement and automation; integrate operations, accounting, and planning systems.
• Regional Financial Oversight and Advisory Support: Lead financial monitoring across the KIPP network; monitor regional financial health; set clear standards for regional financial performance; coach regional CFOs and finance leaders; maintain alignment with the CFO on regional engagements.
• Finance Team Leadership: Lead and develop a high-performing Finance team; ensure alignment across planning, operations, and accounting; serve on the Finance Leadership Team to build a culture of ownership, collaboration, and excellence.

Skills and Mindsets

• Mission and Student Focus: Passion for KIPP’s mission and core values.
• Self Management: Demonstrated record of setting/achieving goals in complex environments; uses data to set a high bar of excellence.
• Work Management: Sets a clear vision; prioritizes deliverables that ensure scalability; creates agile project plans.
• Process Management: Develops/codifies processes to promote coordination, efficiency, and efficacy.
• Data-Driven Actions and Decisions: Uses data to shape decisions and evaluate initiatives.
• Communication and Change Management: Articulates cases for change; translates vision into actionable plans across stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Leverages internal/external stakeholders to increase impact; diplomatic relationship builder.
• People Management & Development: Coaches teammates directly and through layers; fosters positive team culture.

Experience and Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience (financial planning, operations, accounting, or auditing).
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Nonprofit finance experience, including deep knowledge of nonprofit/fund accounting and federal compliance.
• Track record of driving financial performance through budgeting, forecasting, and decision support.
• Experience overseeing finance operations and internal controls.
• Success building and leading high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Ability to translate complex financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Experience supporting financial performance across multiple sites or regions preferred.

Work Conditions

Moderate Travel: 10-15% (20-30 days per year).

Status: Full time, Exempt.

Location

It is preferred, but not mandatory for this role to be based out of a KIPP Foundation office. This role has the option of working from a remote office full-time. KIPP Foundation offices are in NYC and Chicago.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $190,000-$227,000. Benefits include:

• 25 holidays + 18 days additional flexible PTO (increasing with tenure).
• 100% paid parental leave.
• 100% coverage of the premium for employee and 75% for employee + family’s medical/dental/vision plans.
• Wellness benefits (fitness reimbursements, discounted tickets, backup care, employee assistance program).
• Financial Security benefits (401K retirement plan with 4% match, legal plans, life/disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts).