Senior Advisor, School Programs (Director VI)

Agency Information

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

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are 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.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Job Description

The Senior Advisor, School Programs reports to the Deputy Commissioner within the Office of School Programs, which provides foundational support for the education of PK-12 students in Texas.

The Senior Advisor sets and executes the policy strategy, legislative and rulemaking activities on behalf of the Office, as well as oversees the team responsible for interagency coordination. The Senior Advisor serves as a key leader within the agency and collaborates and interacts regularly with senior stakeholders within the agency and in the field, including elected officials, districts, and other stakeholders in support of student outcomes.

The nature of this role requires seasonal presence in Austin during State Board of Education (SBOE) meetings and legislative session, as well as additional dates as requested.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Essential Functions

• Policy, Legislation, and Rulemaking Activities: Develop, lead, and implement the agency’s policy strategy across school programs. Provide policy guidance, consultative support, and lead rulemaking activities on behalf of the office. Serve as the agency’s key subject matter resource witness for the legislature. Coordinate legislative session work, including development of resource and briefing documents, respond to legislative requests, preparation of bill analyses and fiscal estimates, and attends committee meetings as a resource witness. Lead implementation efforts for newly passed legislation following each legislative session. Coordinate rulemaking activities on behalf of the office. Establish relationships with State Board of Education (SBOE) members, prepare SBOE items, and represent the office at SBOE meetings. Provide internal direction and support on officewide structures for information preparation and sharing related to policy, legislation and rulemaking.
• Interagency Leadership and Oversight: Oversee TEA’s strategic direction that supports planning and stakeholder alignment, including institutions of higher education, workforce partners, governmental agencies, and task force assignments. This work includes representing TEA on the following interagency efforts related to Early Childhood (Texas Quad Agency Child Care Initiative, Governor’s Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood Education and Care, Texas Early Childhood Interagency Work Group, Texas Early Childhood Integrated Data System), College, Career, and Military Preparation (Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative), as well as other interagency efforts as needed. Manage TEA’s designated liaison of interagency groups, and represents TEA in senior executive forums, boards and committees. Provide internal direction on officewide structures for information preparation and sharing related to interagency work.
• Team Management: Develop and manage a highly engaged and detail-oriented team. Ensure team members have clear priorities and plans that are aligned to division, office and agency goals. Manage effective office operations and administrative processes. Ensure teams and individuals are supported, engaged, and retained. Support effective communication with external stakeholders and facilitate effective internal collaboration and information-sharing.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least eight (8) years of experience in state-level policy, legislation, rulemaking, large-scale system leadership, supervisory and/or administrative roles. Demonstrated experience managing through multiple layers of leadership in a complex organization, using lateral influence, with accountability for strategic direction, performance, and talent development required
• Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience
• Other Qualifications:
• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Experience in education policy preferred
• Exceptional personnel management skills, including skill in vision-setting and coaching
• Experience authentically engaging stakeholders and leveraging feedback for continuous improvement
• Ability to create and engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment
• Data-driven decision maker with the ability to structure ambiguity into actionable, value-added plans
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Superior project and time management ability
• Ability to handle multiple and shifting priorities and juggle competing priorities and drive team towards results
• Demonstrated understanding of the processes and challenges of school districts, charter schools and educational service centers and practices to create system-level change
• A track record of performance and successful implementation across multiple concurrent projects
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve

Benefits

• 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

Military/Veteran Information

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

• TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.
• TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

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