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.

• 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.

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 rule making 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.

Develop, lead, and implement the agency’s policy strategy across school programs. Provide policy guidance, consultative support, and lead rule making 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 attend committee meetings as a resource witness.

Lead implementation efforts for newly passed legislation following each legislative session. Coordinate rule making 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 office wide structures for information preparation and sharing related to policy, legislation and rule making.

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 represent TEA in senior executive forums, boards and committees. Provide internal direction on office wide structures for information preparation and sharing related to interagency work.

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.

• Education:
  
  Grad…