Why Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)

We come from humble beginnings — picture a one-person organization created in 1949 to advocate for excellence in public education on behalf of Texas school board members. Flash forward to today, and we have over 500 employees working together to provide 1,024 school districts with purposeful resources so they can focus on what matters most — excellent and equitable education for all 5.4 million Texas students. 

As TASBeans (our internal name for employees), we feel privileged to work alongside talented team-members who are passionate about education and enjoy learning from new and different perspectives. We believe what makes our organization highly successful is the rich diversity our employees collectively bring to TASB with different backgrounds, skillsets, cultures and ethnicities, gender identities, interests, abilities, and work styles. And our passion for education and learning doesn’t end there. Our culture has always encouraged employees to grow and become their best selves both professionally and personally through a variety of innovative and collaborative development opportunities. You’re likely beginning to see why we’ve been regularly named by Austin Business Journal as a Top Ten Best Places to Work! 

TASB offers competitive pay, rich benefits (including retirement matching of 2:1 up to 5% after one year. This means that if you contribute 5% to the plan, TASB will contribute 10%), onsite daycare, onsite gym, wellness program, tuition reimbursement, remote work options, flexible schedules, and more. 

Every role at TASB thoughtfully complements our mission and the educational impact being made in communities across Texas. If you consider your work exceptional and want to help drive our mission forward, keep reading!

About You

As the Associate Executive Director (AED) for Governmental Relations, you are responsible for the management and oversight of the Governmental Relations Division. This position will also implement legislative grassroots strategies across the state, coordinate activities of the talent governmental relations team, and serve as the staff liaison to the Legislative Committee of the TASB Board. 

A Typical Day 

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive governmental relations strategy for the Association. 
• Maintain and grow strong relationships with elected officials and other key stakeholders. 
• Provide sound legislative advice to Association leadership. 
• If you’re still reading, we’d love to meet you!

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Advance the priorities of the Association’s Advocacy Agenda through the development and execution of a comprehensive governmental relations strategy. 
• Work to influence legislative and regulatory solutions in support of a strong Texas public school system and the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Serve as the primary lobbyist for the Association. 
• Maintain­­—and continuously work to grow—positive relationships with state legislators, their legislative offices, and Texas governmental agencies. 
• Build strong relationships with other public education member associations, key business and academic leaders, and media contacts in support of Texas public education and the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Track and evaluate the effect of current and pending legislation affecting the Association’s members and routinely advise Association leaders on these issues. 
• Develop professional briefs, Op-Eds, presentations, and other documents in support of the Association’s governmental relations work. 
• Set key messaging themes to advance the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Work closely with the Association’s communications team on setting the public advocacy strategic plan. 
• Oversee the implementation of a strong grassroots strategy across the state that seeks out and incorporates local school trustee input in the development of the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Plan and oversee the logistics of annual large-scale governmental relations conferences, meetings, and presentations. 
• Directly supervise and provide guidance and support to the staff on the Association’s governmental relations team. 
• Evaluate work products and conduct performance evaluations of staff on the Association’s governmental relations team. 
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Legislative Committee of the TASB Board of Trustees. 
• Serve as the main liaison from Governmental Relations to other divisions. 
• Represent the Association at functions and activities as assigned by the Executive Director. 
• Hire and manage external lobbyists as needed. 
• Oversee annual budget of the Governmental Relations division. 

Supervisory Duties

• Division Director, Governmental Relations 
• Assistant Director, Governmental Relations 

Skills For Success

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher. Master’s or J.D. preferred. 
• 10 or more years of experience in Texas governmental relations work. 
• 3 years or more of education policy experience preferred. 
• 5 or more years of governmental affairs experience working as an in-house leader at a large complex organization. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Experience and understanding of the Texas legislative processes as governed by the state law and the rules of procedure of the Senate and House of Representatives. 
• Strong, well-established relationships with key Texas elected officials and their office staff. 
• Deep understanding of Texas governmental structure and political processes and environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with senior government officials to promote the organization’s legislative priorities. 
• Familiarity with K-12 education policy. 
• Access to key media contacts that cover state legislative and educational issues.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to influence, negotiate and persuade. 
• Strong team player with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization. 
• Strategic thinker with the ability to drive priorities. 

The TASB Difference

• Enjoy competitive pay and rich benefit offerings.
• Be part of a collaborative environment where every contribution impacts Texas public schoolchildren. 
• Thrive in a culture that promotes bringing your whole self to work every day and emphasizes healthy boundaries and work-life balance.
• Learn and grow individually and together through frequent professional development; diversity, equity, and inclusion panels; wellness seminars; and more. 
• Work alongside transparent leaders with an open and consistent feedback approach.
• Celebrate as a team with meaningful (and fun) events and tokens of appreciation throughout the year. 

Posting Notices

• The health and safety of our employees and members, is our top priority.
• TASB is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of an individual's race, color, disability, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other personal characteristic protected by law.
• This position does not qualify for visa sponsorship. 
• Any job offer is contingent upon receipt of results of a satisfactory background check. 

#LI-Onsite

Thompson & Horton LLP is managing the search process for this position. For consideration, please submit resumes to David Thompson (dthompson@thompsonhorton.com) and Mike Moses (mmsec51@gmail.com). Nominations and inquiries may be directed to David Thompson and Mike Moses.