Director of Recruitment

Reporting to the Managing Director of Strategic Workforce Management, the Director of Recruitment ensures that KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools are fully staffed with talented, diverse, mission-aligned educators and staff. This leader is responsible for driving effective recruitment strategies and implementing strong early-engagement systems that help new hires feel welcomed, supported, and prepared to join the KPPS community. The role centers on two main functions:1. Lead and Execute Regional Recruitment Strategy The Director partners closely with Principals and regional leaders to understand staffing needs, execute high-quality recruitment and selection processes, and ensure candidates have positive, professional experiences. This includes optimizing Smart Recruiters, analyzing hiring data, implementing innovative sourcing and outreach strategies, advising Principals on talent management, and contributing to broader People Team initiatives that strengthen KPPS’s educator pipeline.2. Implement Candidate & Early Engagement SystemsThe Director serves as the main point of contact for prospective educators and staff from initial interest through offer acceptance and the transition to KPPS. For those who join the organization, the Director designs and delivers differentiated early-engagement strategies – connecting new hires to People Team supports, school leaders, and onboarding resources to ensure they feel welcomed and prepared for success. For candidates not moving forward, the Director ensures a timely, respectful, and values-aligned experience.Key Responsibilities: Do you have experience supporting schools in under-resourced communities? Are you passionate about educational equity and committed to attracting and supporting great educators who positively impact student outcomes? If so, this role may be an excellent fit. The ideal Director builds strong relationships, partners comfortably with school leaders, and uses data to continually strengthen recruitment and early-engagement practices.Recruitment Strategy Implementation & Principal Partnership (30%)Collaborate with the Managing Director of Strategic Workforce Management to forecast talent needs, identify hard-to-fill roles, and design targeted sourcing strategies that support long-term workforce planning.Collaborate with the People Team to analyze recruitment, hiring and retention data; develop targeted strategies to strengthen the educator pipeline.Serve as a thought partner and subject-matter expert on recruitment and early engagement for the KPPS People Team.Partner with Principals to understand current and projected staffing needs including the role expectations, candidate profiles, and school specific nuances.Source high-quality talent through proactive outreach, including referrals, job boards, social platforms, networking, and career fairs, cultivating relationships with strong candidates over time.Conduct regular school visits to immerse yourself in school communities, build strong relationships with Principals, and stay connected to each school’s culture and needs.Host and support candidates throughout the interview process, ensuring a warm, equitable and rigorous experience and support Principals to implement a consistent, high-quality selection model.Maintain accurate, up-to-date recruitment and hiring data in talent systems to inform strategic decision-making and team planning.Hold routine check-ins with Principals to review hiring progress, gather feedback on recent hires and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.Collaborate with People Team leaders to analyze historical retention and employee engagement data and use insights to inform recruitment and retention strategies.Provide feedback and recommendations on talent initiatives, recruitment systems, and Principal training to strengthen overall talent practices.Ability to manage up, provide strategic recommendations, and communicate clearly with senior leaders.Participate in local and national recruitment networks and professional learning communities to build partnerships and bring innovative practices to KPPS.Recruitment Logistics & Operations (40%)Lead the planning and coordination of interviews, ensuring Principals and candidates are fully prepared and that all logistics support an efficient, positive experience.Manage job postings and application screening within Smart Recruiters, our applicant tracking system, ensuring consistent, timely and equitable processes.Develop clear, compelling job descriptions aligned with KPPS branding, legal requirements, and talent strategy.Oversee reference checks and manage the offer process, including drafting and issuing offer letters.Coordinate and participate in recruitment outreach events, ensuring strong representation of KPPS and positive candidate experiences.Demonstrate flexibility during peak hiring seasons, including occasional evenings and weekends, proactively responding to the team’s highest-priority needs.Perform additional recruitment, selection, onboarding, or training responsibilities as assigned by the Managing Director of Strategic Workforce Management.Educator and Staff Persistence & Cohort Management (20%)Support new educators and staff from offer acceptance, through their first day, ensuring a smooth, well-supported transition into KPPS.Build strong relationships with prospective hires to understand their motivations, needs, and potential barriers to joining or remaining with KPPS.Connect new hires to the appropriate internal supports — People Team, school leaders, resources, and onboarding systems — to strengthen early engagement and belonging.Design and identify engagement opportunities throughout the hiring and onboarding process that foster connection to the KPPS community and promote long-term retention.Individual Development (10%)Seek and apply feedback to continuously strengthen effectiveness and impact in the role.Stay current on emerging best practices in K-12 and nonprofit recruitment, sourcing, and early-engagement strategies.Engage with KIPP Foundation training tools, and communities of practice, integrating relevant best practices into KPPS talent systems.