Project Manager, Performance Reporting Policy and Communications (Project Manager III)

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

Core Values

• Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

About the Role

TEA's Performance Reporting division seeks to ensure continuous improvement in the academic achievement of all Texas public school students by:

• Developing and implementing transparent, rigorous, and fair academic accountability systems,
• Providing accurate and comprehensive academic performance reporting systems, tools, and trackers, and
• Monitoring and validating data to ensure the integrity of these systems.

The Project Manager, Performance Reporting Policy and Communications manages strategic planning systems within the Policy and Communications team to ensure effective, efficient, clear, and cohesive systems exist both across the team and in Performance Reporting's work with internal and external stakeholders. The Project Manager demonstrates a deep investment in the A-F accountability system and is passionate about maximizing internal systems to ensure a rigorous, transparent, and fair system exists for more than 5 million public school students statewide. This position reports to the Principal Director, Performance Reporting Policy and Communications in the Performance Reporting division, which resides within the Office of Assessment, Accountability, and Reporting.

This position requires up to 5% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Monitors Policy and Communications Strategic Planning Systems:
  • Participates, with division and team leaders, in the development of project charters and metrics.
  • Enhances and develops workstream-specific and cross-functional work plans with clear milestones, activities, timelines, and owners.
  • Leads weekly meetings to ensure on-time and high-quality deliverables.
  • Carefully tracks progress to goals and partners with team leaders and the Director of Policy and Communications to make ongoing adjustments.
  • Maintains and develops standard operating procedures and internal systems for cohesion and clarity.
• Supports Interagency Collaboration and Partnership Toward Division Goals:
  • Partners with team, division, and agency Alignment and Delivery Unit (ADU) leaders to schedule, plan, and facilitate cross-agency partnership meetings and planning.
  • Leverages impact and influence to ensure outcomes and high-quality deliverables.
• Manages External Partnerships and Communications:
  • Partners with team and division leaders to communicate effectively with external partners including advisory groups, other state agencies, and contractors.
  • Monitors and manages project outcomes with contractors.
  • Maintains calendar of communications with external stakeholders and ensures on-time and high-quality deliverables.
  • Supports logistical facilitation of presentations, webinars, and surveys.
• General Performance Reporting Supports:
  • Assists the general public, agency, and division with inquiries related to Performance Reporting materials, resources, and trainings.

Requirements

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in a discipline that requires robust project management.
• Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience.
• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military.
• Advanced project and vendor management skills, including the project lifecycle from project initiation through completion.
• Willingness to fill a need, solve a problem, and anticipate risks.
• Design and delivery of effective presentations and other public-facing documents.
• Skill in management of projects toward outcomes, recognizing the need to prototype and iterate along the way and expecting the ultimate design to look different than the original idea.
• Ability to prioritize work and operate effectively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to innovate within large public agencies by designing and implementing new initiatives that scale across districts and schools and success leveraging different strategies and interpersonal skills to move the work forward, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability when presented with a change of course and deadline.
• Development of effective working relationships with diverse individuals and groups including district administrators, teachers, Education Service Center (ESC) personnel, education experts, and all other relevant stakeholders specifically as it relates to the vision for what constitutes the adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials.
• Adherence to accountability best practices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while meeting program goals.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve.
• Prior experience using data analysis software and communication tools including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Power BI, Smartsheet, and/or Tableau to effectively synthesize and analyze vast amounts of data and documents effectively.
• Prior K-12 Accountability experience preferred.

Benefits

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits include:

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees.
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage.
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay.
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities.
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page.