Director of Literacy

Organizational Overview:

KIPP Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. There are 280 KIPP schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 175,000 scholars and alumni. KIPP Atlanta currently operates 11 schools including five primary schools, six middle schools and one high school, as well as 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 the work of dedicated, bold and skilled leaders, educators, and support staff who are committed to serving as the catalyst for joyful, academically excellent schools and the foundation for building a more just and equitable world for our scholars. 

Job Summary:

The Director of Literacy is responsible for setting and executing a bold, research-based vision for literacy in alignment with the KIPP Foundation’s national framework and KIPP Atlanta Schools' commitment to educational equity and excellence. Reporting to the Head of Academics, the Director of Literacy manages Literacy Content Managers and Coaches to dramatically improve student outcomes in reading and writing across all KIPP Atlanta Schools. As a key leader in continuous school improvement, the Director of Literacy must bring urgency, strategic thinking, and deep instructional expertise to accelerate student achievement, particularly for scholars who have historically been underserved. The Director is responsible for developing high-impact literacy programming, curriculum alignment, instructional coaching structures, and assessment strategies that drive academic success. A strong understanding of the Science of Reading is essential, ensuring that all literacy instruction is rooted in evidence-based practices that support foundational reading skills, language comprehension, and fluency across all grade levels.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead the literacy strategy for KIPP Atlanta Schools, ensuring alignment to the broader regional academic strategy and national literacy frameworks.
• Establish clear, measurable goals for literacy growth and implement a data-driven approach to track and improve student outcomes.
• Conduct regular instructional walkthroughs, teacher observations, and data reviews to assess the effectiveness of literacy strategies and identify actionable next steps.
• Collaborate with Heads of Schools, Principals, and Assistant Principals to support data-informed decisions and drive continuous improvement in literacy instruction.
• Work across teams to ensure that literacy initiatives address the needs of schools engaged in continuous school improvement, including intervention strategies for struggling readers and differentiated support for diverse learners.
• Ensure that all literacy programming is aligned with the Science of Reading, supporting teachers in implementing structured, research-based instructional approaches that lead to stronger foundational literacy skills and reading comprehension.

• Manage and develop a high-performing literacy team of Content Managers and Coaches, ensuring they receive targeted professional growth opportunities aligned to literacy improvement priorities
• Build the instructional capacity of school-based literacy leaders, ensuring they can coach teachers effectively and implement strong instructional systems
• Hold team members accountable to performance metrics, ensuring their work directly impacts student literacy growth and proficiency rates
• Lead professional development sessions for teachers and leaders, focusing on the Science of Reading, high-leverage literacy instruction, intervention strategies, and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Collaborate with the Talent Team to recruit, onboard, and retain high-quality literacy educators committed to excellence in urban education
• Design and oversee the literacy budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources to support literacy interventions, high-quality curricula, and professional learning

• Ensure alignment of literacy curriculum to rigorous state and national standards, ensuring scholars have access to challenging, culturally responsive, and engaging texts
• Design and refine the K-12 literacy scope and sequence, ensuring coherence and continuity in instruction from early literacy to advanced literacy skills
• Oversee the implementation of assessment tools, including progress monitoring systems, formative assessments, and benchmark literacy exams, to drive data-informed instruction
• Develop and implement high-impact literacy interventions, particularly for students reading below grade level, ensuring scholars receive the targeted support necessary for rapid academic acceleration
• Ensure that all literacy assessments and instructional materials align with Science of Reading principles, particularly in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
• Collaborate with the Special Education team, ELL specialists, and RTI coordinators to ensure that all literacy instruction meets the needs of diverse learners

Candidate Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (in Education, Literacy, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in academic leadership, literacy coaching, or school-based leadership roles in K-12 education
• Demonstrated success in improving literacy outcomes, particularly in schools engaged in continuous improvement efforts
• Deep expertise in the Science of Reading and experience implementing structured literacy approaches in classrooms
• Proven ability to lead schoolwide literacy initiatives that drive measurable academic gains
• Deep knowledge of effective literacy instruction, intervention strategies, and high-leverage teaching practices aligned to the Science of Reading
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to drive decisions and instructional practices
• Experience designing and facilitating engaging, high-impact professional development for school leaders and teachers
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to prioritize and execute school improvement-focused initiatives
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, with a track record of working effectively across teams
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, balancing urgency with long-term sustainability
• High level of professional integrity and deep commitment to KIPP Atlanta Schools’ mission of educational equity
• Proven track record of meeting deadlines and the ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities, multi-task, work in a fast-paced, demanding environment, operate effectively with ambiguity, and be willing to learn and take on new responsibilities
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills 

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation for this role is between $90,000 - $100,000.  The starting pay will depend on various factors that may include but are not limited to professional experience, education, training, and certifications. The salary range is determined in accordance with the pay scale for the 2024-2025 school year and may be subject to modification. 

KIPP Atlanta Schools offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 19 days of Paid Time Off, in addition to identified holidays and regular school breaks including Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Mid-Winter Break and Spring Break.
• 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 & Work Conditions:

Requires candidates to be based in Atlanta and regularly be in schools and able to attend in-person meetings and events.  Additional in-person time may be necessary based on organizational needs. This position also requires routine physical activity associated with normal office environments. This position may require the ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit an application online.

Statement of Nondiscrimination:

KIPP Atlanta Schools provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.