Director, AI Strategy & Alignment

About the role

The role serves as a strategic thought partner to the Senior Director in shaping, evolving, and executing Educate Texas’ five-year, $15M AI strategic plan. The Director will co-own the translation of the plan's Four-Part Network Model into annual strategy, investment priorities, and program design, bringing independent judgment to what to build, scale, or sunset as the initiative matures.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Senior Director to shape and continuously evolve the multi-year AI Strategy & Alignment roadmap, translating the five-year, $15M plan into annual priorities, investment decisions, and program design
• Bring independent strategic judgment to the Four-Part Network Model—identifying which partnerships, funding opportunities, and program approaches to pursue, scale, adjust, or retire based on evidence and field learnings
• Own the strategic direction and continuous improvement of the Regional Cohort Network using participant data and field feedback to refine cohort design year over year
• Shape the editorial and content strategy for the Central AI Resource Hub & Learning Network
• Co-design thought leader convening agendas and provide strategic direction to the AI Advisory Group as its year-round connective layer
• Shape the AI Policy Council's agenda and contribute substantively to Educate Texas' policy positions on AI in education
• Oversee execution of day-to-day program operations across the portfolio— including logistics, partnership agreements, vendor relationships, data collection, and outcomes reporting—either directly or through program staff
• Ensure appropriate stewardship of grant and program investments, including budget input for future planning cycles
• Collaborate with Educate Texas program staff and Integrated Services teams (communications, strategic initiatives, policy and advocacy, finance) to ensure the AI portfolio is aligned with and reinforces the broader organizational strategy
• Contribute to the Senior Director's board, funder, and executive reporting by synthesizing program outcomes into strategic narrative and recommendations

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred; bachelor's degree required
• 8+ years of progressive experience in education, workforce, or technology strategy, including experience shaping strategy or program design, not solely managing operations
• Deep knowledge of AI in education, K-12 and postsecondary education systems, and workforce development in Texas strongly preferred
• Experience representing an organization externally— with funders, policymakers, media, or at conferences— as a credible subject-matter voice
• Experience designing or leading multi-stakeholder convenings, cohorts, or peer-learning networks
• Experience negotiating and managing vendor/partner agreements and grant-funded initiatives
• Comfort operating with ambiguity and shaping strategy in a fast-evolving field, rather than executing a fixed playbook
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information for executive and board audiences
• Proficient or expert skills using PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint
• Exemplary project management skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational follow-through
• Commitment to responsible, equity-centered AI adoption in education