What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives & Talent Development position at La Joya Independent School District?
Job Title: Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives & Talent Development
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Chief of Human Capital and Talent Development
Pay Grade: AE 9
Dept. Human Capital and Talent Development
Date Initiated: May 2025
WHO WE ARE
La Joya Independent School District (LJISD) is committed to the success of every student and staff member. With a century-long tradition of excellence in the Rio Grande Valley, we are proud to serve over 22,000 students across more than 30 campuses. Our mission—Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student—drives our work every day.
We are grounded in five district priorities:
- Customer Service
- Trust & Transparency
- High-Quality Instruction
- Excellence in Leadership
- Integrity & Accountability
We believe that attracting, developing, and retaining high-quality talent is essential to student success.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
La Joya ISD seeks a bold, systems-level thinker to serve as Deputy Chief of Strategic Compensation, Talent Development, and Human Capital. The successful candidate will be a collaborative, equity-driven leader who brings deep knowledge of public education, a commitment to workforce excellence, and a passion for building structures that support the district’s long-term goals.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has a proven ability to design and implement performance-based compensation systems, including the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), that are aligned to student outcomes, educator effectiveness, and financial sustainability
- Brings expertise in leading large-scale talent development strategies—from principal pipelines and teacher leadership programs to Grow-Your-Own partnerships and mentoring models
- Understands human capital systems from both strategic and operational levels, including staffing allocation, certification, performance management, and compliance
- Is an influential communicator and policy interpreter, able to distill complex personnel issues into actionable strategies for Cabinet, Board members, and campus leaders
- Embraces innovation, continuously seeks improvement, and builds buy-in through collaborative leadership across departments and stakeholder groups
- Can manage high-stakes initiatives such as district realignment, staffing reductions, and pay structure redesigns with discretion, fairness, and policy alignment
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to advancing equity and opportunity for all employees—teachers, support staff, and administrators alike
- Has a deep appreciation for the community, culture, and values of La Joya ISD and is committed to elevating the district as a state and national model for human capital innovation
WHY LA JOYA ISD
La Joya Independent School District is more than a workplace—it’s a community grounded in pride, tradition, and purpose. Located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, La Joya ISD serves over 22,000 students across 30 campuses, with a steadfast commitment to Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student.
We are a district on the move—recognized across the state for our innovation in instructional leadership, nationally designated dual language programs, and award-winning extracurricular and athletic achievements. La Joya ISD continues to lead in progressive initiatives such as:
- A districtwide implementation of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), making us a frontrunner in performance-based compensation
- Strategic staff redesign and pay equity efforts that align our compensation systems to both the labor market and our internal values
- Robust talent development pipelines, from paraprofessional-to-teacher pathways to principal residencies and executive leadership preparation
- Community-centered leadership that listens to stakeholders and reflects the culture, values, and aspirations of our families and staff
As an anchor institution in the Rio Grande Valley, La Joya ISD offers leaders the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students' lives while helping shape the future of public education in Texas.
This is a place where high expectations meet strong support—and where transformational leaders thrive.
Qualifications
Education/Certification:
-
Master’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Public Administration, or related field (Doctorate preferred)
-
Mid-management, superintendent certification, or SHRM/SPHR certification preferred
Experience:
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Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in education or human capital strategy
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Demonstrated experience managing strategic compensation and educator development, preferably including work with TIA, PIA, or similar performance-based systems
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Strategic Compensation
- Oversee the design and management of La Joya ISD’s district-wide compensation strategy, ensuring alignment to TEA requirements and district priorities
- Lead the administration and growth of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, including teacher designation, data validation, stipend allocation, and campus eligibility
- Conduct ongoing compensation analyses and equity audits to ensure competitiveness and internal fairness across all employee groups
- Collaborate with the Finance Division to ensure TIA and compensation-related funds are allocated, reported, and sustained appropriately
Talent Development
- Design and implement leadership development pipelines (teacher leader, assistant principal, principal) that align to district succession planning needs
- Guide the development of coaching frameworks and mentoring models to support early-career and high-potential staff
- Partner with universities and Region One to build Grow-Your-Own educator programs tailored to the needs of La Joya ISD
Human Capital Operations
- Supervise key areas of the Human Capital Division, including staffing allocation, certification, performance management, and policy compliance
- Support staffing planning tied to enrollment projections, program changes, and budget alignment
- Collaborate across departments to ensure efficient hiring practices and aligned onboarding processes for all roles
Leadership and Compliance
- Ensure all compensation and HR programs are in compliance with TEA, TRS, and local board policies
- Serve as a key advisor to the Chief of Human Capital and Cabinet on personnel planning, compensation proposals, and staffing structure
- Represent La Joya ISD in state-level discussions on human capital innovations and compensation reforms
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Directly supervise multiple departments and units within the Office of Human Capital, including:
- Strategic Compensation & Benefits
- Talent Acquisition & Certification
- Performance Management & Educator Effectiveness
- Leadership Development and Onboarding
- Provide coaching, evaluation, and growth plans for directors, coordinators, and HR leaders under your supervision
- Ensure cross-functional collaboration and accountability among teams to meet timelines, compliance requirements, and strategic goals
Working Conditions
Mental Demands: Strategic planning, problem-solving, systems-level leadership, change management
Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Frequent travel across campuses and district facilities; occasional statewide travel; extended use of technology
Note
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require other responsibilities to be performed as necessary.
Position Working Days: 226