Director - Strategic Initiatives Services

Classification:  Administrative/Professional

Exemption Status/Test:  Exempt/Administrative                

Job Grade: AP 8

Department: Strategic Initiatives Services                                                          

Reports To: Chief Officer - Strategic Initiatives Services Division 

Job Goal:

As part of the Texas Strategic Leadership (TSL) initiative, the Director of Strategic Initiatives Services will work in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency as well as local/state leaders to build district leadership team capacity in the alignment of district systems and high-impact strategies that drive student outcomes. In addition, the Director of Strategic Initiative Services will provide deep technical assistance to district leaders and leadership teams through a 1–2-year journey to design a strategic plan based on systems-level analysis and principles of effective organizational performance management. Additionally, the Director of Strategic Initiatives Services will support early implementation and evaluation by leveraging capacity-building supports aligned to strategic priorities that ensure effective performance management outcomes.

Qualifications:

Education

1. Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Education or a related field
2. 10 years of education and leadership experience with at least 5 years in educational administration/executive leadership.
3. Terminal Degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) preferred

Experience:

1. Prior superintendent, chief academic officer, or another senior district leadership experience in leading strategic planning initiatives that yield ambitious outcomes
2. Thorough understanding of Region 4 LEAs with an ability to develop relationships, credibility, and trust with Region 4 Superintendents, as well as historical knowledge of community demographics, dynamics, and district performance
3. Demonstrated track record of success in previous district-level leadership roles
4. Experience in district type/profile (i.e., small rural, charter experience in addition to traditional ISD) that aligns well with anticipated regional district interest and needs in the Texas Strategic Leadership Program
5. Experience leading and facilitating professional development to diverse audiences, which include administrators, executive leadership, and school boards
6. Ability to manage personnel, complex budgets, and reporting
7. Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all levels

Special Knowledge:

1. Expert-level knowledge of effective district systems and practices aligned to Effective District Framework levers (Organizational Performance Management, Human Capital Strategy, Integrated Student Supports, High-Quality Instructional Materials and Strategies, Instructional Leadership, District Operational Excellence)
2. Deep understanding of core leadership competencies for district superintendents, change management processes and practices, performance management high-level principles and practices, change management, stakeholder engagement, and adult learning and motivation theory
3. Knowledge of multiple coaching models to artfully pull best practices and protocols on a situational basis
4. Historical district and community knowledge within the region that will support analysis and building strong credibility and trust with superintendents

Special Skills:

1. Conceptual understanding of district data analysis, including quantitative and qualitative district inputs, outputs, and outcomes
2. Sufficient acumen with district data to partner with the Performance Management & Data Specialist to be able to translate data analysis into streamlined recommendations to districts
3. Ability to analyze available district assets, gather an understanding of what’s needed, develop a long-term plan in collaboration with the superintendent, and develop standardized systems to effect change
4. Ability to conduct and support a comprehensive landscape analysis and needs assessment of a district’s current data protocols, systems, and structures
5. Ability to support district superintendents in understanding gaps and end-to-end planning and performance management systems
6. Ability to identify and evaluate enabling conditions to actualize a vision that supports strategic systems and priorities
7. Ability to facilitate complex conversations with superintendents and district leadership teams on root-cause analysis, exemplar reflection, analysis, and strategic planning, and effectively respond to superintendent responses and reactions
8. Ability to give frequent feedback to stakeholders on the quality of analysis and implementation planning
9. Strong presentation skills, leveraging data and vision-based storytelling to inform and invest stakeholders in coaching inputs and outcomes
10. Strong learning design skills to support superintendent learning reflection, job-embedded development, and actionable planning outcomes
11. Ability to support the superintendent in effective communication and engagement strategies with the board, staff, parents, and the broader community
12. Strong time-management skills with the ability to balance the district caseload of Lead Coach support

Major Responsibilities:

1. Provide School Board Member Guidance and Support: Deliver timely and relevant updates to new and experienced board members regarding developments, initiatives, and priorities at the regional and state levels as part of board training. 
2. Offer Targeted School Board Member Assistance: Provide consultation on key topics such as school finance, superintendent/board relations, school safety, district accountability, personnel management, and policy implementation, along with mandated board training requirements.
3. Build Strong Relationships with Superintendents and School Boards: Foster and maintain lasting relationships with superintendents by offering personalized support and solutions to meet their unique leadership challenges and build board relationships. 
4. Support New School board members and Promote Peer Networking and Engagement of all board members: Facilitate opportunities for new boards or those new to Region 4 to build peer relationships, acclimate to the regional leadership group, and integrate into board networks. 
5. Establish operational objectives and assignments for multiple disciplines/functional areas and departments.
6. Evaluate recommendations of others, decide on a course of action in ambiguous situations, and oversee the deployment of innovative and entrepreneurial solutions that yield positive results.
7. Collaborate with Cabinet and other senior leadership to develop strategies and broad departmental objectives; establish methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people in the achievement of strategic goals and objectives.
8. Provide tailored coaching and support to the superintendent and senior district leaders.
9. Jointly facilitate meetings with superintendents aligned to Texas Strategic Leadership milestones such as current state analysis, multi-year strategic planning, goal setting, and implementation planning.
10. Partner with TSL Performance Management & Data Specialist for strong preparation and effective integration of data and performance management principles, as well as facilitation of key milestones.
11. Support superintendent and district leadership teams through learning opportunities from statewide peers and districts.
12. Lean into pilot learning experiences, demonstrate flexibility in program iteration and execution, as well as critical and creative thinking/problem-solving in providing meaningful feedback to a range of stakeholders.
13. Demonstrate strong content knowledge, facilitation skills, authentic district trust, and achievement of targeted district strategic planning outcomes to be officially certified as a TSL Lead Coach.

Supervision/Personnel Management

Supervise and evaluate staff as assigned. Lead management in the development, deployment, and ongoing management of key Region 4 initiatives covering multiple major disciplines with direct accountability for results in terms of effectiveness, costs, methods, and employees.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/ Mental Demands:

Frequent use of standard office equipment; prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting; repetitive hand motions (keyboarding and use of mouse); occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 20 pounds); may work prolonged and irregular hours; occasional statewide travel; work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure.

Salary : $122,707 - $144,362