Deputy Secretary, School Transformation, and Innovation

Purpose of Position

The job exists to set the strategic direction for school transformation and innovation within the NM Public Education Department and oversee the work of six bureaus within the directorate.

Strategic Direction

• Set the strategic direction for school transformation and innovation within PED and oversee its implementation.
• Develop a strategy and plan for school district accountability under the Martinez and Yazzie Consolidated Lawsuit.
• Develop and implement a strategy and plan for using data to drive performance improvements across the agency.
• Partner with staff in other PED directorates to develop and implement agency-wide strategic initiatives aligned to the PED strategic plan.

Bureau Oversight

• Directly supervise the Division Director for School Transformation and Innovation, the directorate’s Business Operations Specialist, and up to three other bureau/division directors.
• Ensure that the bureau staff have the training and support needed to effectively and efficiently carry out their work.
• Advocate for needed personnel and financial resources to ensure that bureaus have the capacity needed to achieve their missions.

Financial Accountability

• Monitor financial reports for all programs within the directorate to ensure that funds are being utilized effectively.
• Engage upper management within the Finance and Operations Division, as needed, to ensure that award letters and requests for reimbursement are processed in a timely manner.

School District and Charter School Support

• Convene external partners to increase participation in the various programs within the directorate and to develop common goals and shared priorities for school transformation in New Mexico.
• Support bureau staff in securing needed resources to provide technical assistance and capacity building support for schools and school districts participating in programs within the purview of the directorate.

Executive Leadership

• Represent the Secretary at meetings and events in his or her absence.
• Serve as a member of the PED Executive Cabinet and PED Executive Leadership Team.
• Represent PED before the Legislature, as requested, and in other public settings.
• Conduct interim and annual performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Provide coaching and leadership development for Directors within the directorate.

Ideal Candidate

• Have direct experience leading and/or supporting school transformation efforts.
• Have a deep understanding of the factors that impede success and support positive outcomes for the student groups named in the Martinez and Yazzie consolidated lawsuit.
• Have a deep understanding of targeted universalism and how to implement policies and programs that address systemic disparities in educational achievement across student groups.
• Have experience with public policy, including the implementation of state and/or federal education programs.
• Be flexible and adaptable and have excellent research, writing, strategic planning, data analysis, and interpersonal skills with a customer service, teamwork-oriented attitude.
• Be comfortable and competent with multi-tasking and producing excellent work product in a fast-paced environment.
• Have a strong understanding of education issues and a familiarity with the research on school transformation and educational innovation.
• Have experience in coaching professionals to improve performance.
• Be an effective project manager.
• Effectively work across divisions and bureaus, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to break down silos and forge meaningful collaboration.

Minimum Qualification

• Candidates should possess/obtain and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License.
• Have ten (10) or more years working in one or more of the following fields: K-12 education, with recent experience in education administration; policy and/or law, preferably in a discipline involving education, social services, or government policy; business administration, preferably in a position involving strategic planning, continuous improvement, organizational psychology, people management, and/or data analysis.
• Have eight (8) or more years of experience managing staff.
• Have a Master’s Degree or higher in education, education leadership, business administration, the social sciences, public policy, law, or a related field.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.

Employment Requirements

• Must possess/obtain and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT), extensive computer and phone usage.
• Sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.

Supplemental Information

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