Principal Director, Talent Development and Performance Management; Director III - Internal

Position: Principal Director, Talent Development and Performance Management (Director III) - Internal Vacancy
MISSION:
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values:

* We are Determined:
We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.

* We are People-Centered:
We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.

* We are Learners:
We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.

* We are Servant Leaders:
Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role.

The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

This is a 5-business day internal posting. We are only accepting applications from current Texas Education Agency (TEA) employees. External applicants will not be considered.

Position Overview

We know that for students to achieve at high levels and be successful in college, career, or the military, TEA must cultivate a high-performing workforce equipped to lead, guide, and support school systems across Texas. With this in mind, the Principal Director, Talent Development and Performance Management plays a critical leadership role in advancing TEA's people strategy as a core driver of the agency's bold vision for education.

The Principal Director is responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and execution of multiple high-impact work streams within TEA's Strategic Plan under the Organizational Development Key Action, ensuring alignment between talent systems and agency priorities. This role operates with significant autonomy and cross-agency influence to design and implement integrated approaches to performance management, talent development, and supervisor effectiveness that strengthen workforce performance at scale.

In partnership with the Executive Director, Human Resources, the Principal Director leads the evolution of TEA's performance management and development systems to reflect the needs of the workforce and advance the agency's core values and strategic priorities. This includes oversight of key systems, programs, and change management efforts that directly impact employee performance, retention, and organizational effectiveness across the agency.

The Principal Director supervises HR staff and works in close collaboration with senior leaders, division stakeholders, cross-functional partners, and external partners to drive coherence, adoption, and continuous improvement of talent systems and practices.

This role is part of the Human Resources Division, which is dedicated to attracting, supporting, and retaining a workforce of high-performing professionals who are committed to the agency's broader mission. Our team works to achieve this by creating the structures and systems that support talent across the agency - this ranges from administering our performance management system, supporting hiring efforts, providing talent development support, coordinating benefits and leave in partnership with state-administered programs, and implementing HR-related policies and procedures that are critical to supporting agency staff and leaders.

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

Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1. Performance Management Strategy:
Leads the vision, strategy, and continuous improvement of TEA's enterprise Performance Management system, a core component of the agency's Organizational Development strategic priorities. Serves as the agency-wide owner of performance management design, implementation, and evolution, ensuring alignment with TEA's Strategic Plan and workforce outcomes. Drives cross-functional alignment and adoption in partnership with Alignment and Delivery and other stakeholders to ensure coherence in messaging, tools, and expectations.

Uses data, stakeholder feedback, and system insights to continuously refine processes and improve organizational performance…