Job Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role is an integral part of the Executive and Finance and Accounting teams, ensuring KIPP DC has the financial leadership, systems, and resources to readily support and accomplish its organizational mission. The starting salary range for this role is $222,902-$256,869. This is a full-time, hybrid role based at HDQ with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

About KIPP DC

For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.

Our work is grounded in five pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.

As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.

About The Role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of KIPP DC’s executive leadership team, responsible for shaping the financial future of one of the region’s largest and most impactful public charter school systems. This role leads the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring that every dollar is aligned to maximize student outcomes, organizational sustainability, and long-term impact.

This is a rare opportunity to lead finance at scale—overseeing a complex, mission-driven organization with 22 schools and serving 7,500 students—while partnering closely with the CEO, Board, and senior leaders to make high-stakes strategic decisions. The CFO manages a multi-layered team of over 20 team members and a $250M+ budget.

As a member of the executive team, this position must also ensure adherence to established internal control policies and procedures and maintain compliance within the organization. This is an exempt position and will report to the President.

Location and Type of Work

Hybrid flexibility (3 days per week onsite)

As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. This position will generally work independently and not regularly interface with students, families, or school teams. This position will primarily work from our headquarters office to maintain a connection to their colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Because of the nature of this position’s work, this role allows for hybrid flexibility and will be required to be onsite 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.

Set and execute enterprise financial strategy (30% of time)

Define and lead KIPP DC’s long-term financial strategy, aligning resources to strategic priorities and student outcomes
Lead the annual budgeting and multi-year financial planning process, ensuring clarity, transparency, and strong alignment across teams
Develop scenario plans and financial models to inform major organizational decisions (growth, program investments, cost containment)
Establish financial targets, guardrails, and KPIs aligned to board expectations and debt covenants
Lead the development of scalable financial systems and infrastructure (e.g., ERP, reporting tools, data systems)
Lead enterprise financial modeling for new initiatives, investments, and tradeoffs

Lead and inspire high-performing teams (25%)

Recruit, coach, and empower a team of senior leaders to manage a multi-layered team of over 20 team members and a $250M+ budget
Ensure excellence across all core finance functions: accounting, payroll, procurement, budgeting, reporting, and grants management teams
Continuously improve processes to increase efficiency, transparency, and service to schools

Partner with executive leadership to drive financial strategy and maximize impact (20%)

Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, President, and Executive Team on all major organizational decisions
Translate financial insights into clear recommendations for executive leadership and the Board
Manage the Board's Finance Committee, serving as the primary liaison between the committee and organizational management
Serve as the financial liaison between KIPP DC Management and the KIPP DC Supporting Corporation Board, including serving as Treasurer of the Supporting Corporation
Serve as a key external advocate for KIPP DC related to funding and financial policy, collaborating with content experts from the team.

Promote financial stewardship and proactively manage risk (15% of time)

Oversee all audit processes (e.g., financial, 403(b), Medicaid, 990, S&P reviews), ensuring strong internal controls and clean audit outcomes
Oversee compliance with all regulatory requirements, including federal/state grants and charter authorizer expectations
Design and maintain a robust internal control environment to mitigate financial and operational risk
Monitor organizational financial health, including cash flow, reserves, and long-term sustainability
Ensure compliance with debt covenants and proactively manage financial risks
Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and stewardship across all teams

Lead capital strategy, treasury, and investments (10%)

Manage KIPP DC’s $275M+ debt portfolio, including lender relationships, refinancing strategy, and covenant compliance
Oversee treasury operations, including cash management, liquidity planning, and banking relationships
Implement and manage the Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and external investment partners
Evaluate and execute financing strategies to support capital projects and long-term growth

Requirements & Preferences

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree
A minimum of 10 years of progressive finance experience with at least 5 years experience in senior finance and/or accounting roles (CFO, VP, or equivalent)
Significant experience in senior budget and finance positions at complex organizations required, ideally at education nonprofits or charter management organizations
Experience managing multiple teams and multi-layered teams

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in business administration, finance, or accounting strongly preferred
CPA license
Experience managing and running finance team at organization with >$100M in annual revenue
Experience with KIPP DC financial systems (i.e., Workday, Ramp, Adaptive Planning)

Physical Requirements

Ability to travel across KIPP DC schools occasionally
Ability to work outside normal business hours as emergencies and projects arise

Demonstrated Excellence In The Following Areas

Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.

Benefits & Compensation

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $222,902-$256,869. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

KIPP DC

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