Director, LIFT State-Approved Provider and District Supports (Director II)

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.

Position Overview

LIFT (Leadership and Instructional Foundations for Texas) is a three-year program designed to support Texas school systems in building the instructional and systems-level capacity needed to deliver high-quality learning experiences for all students. LIFT brings together the highest leverage components of Strong Foundations, Texas Instructional Leadership, and Texas Lesson Study, providing comprehensive support for districts to adopt HQIM and implement Bluebonnet Learning over multiple years. TEA partners with approved providers responsible for delivering up-front professional development and support to school system leaders to effectively implement Bluebonnet Learning.

​​​The ​Director, LIFT State-Approved Provider and District Supports​ oversees an 8 member team with two units to manage the strategy and execution of district engagement and field visits as well as approved provider vetting, support, and evaluation in service of 400+ districts annually. The director plays a key strategic role, collaborating with other division leadership to build overall program strategy and establish the standards for strong professional learning driven by this team’s understanding of the district experience. In addition, the director oversees the prioritization, design, and execution of professional development for approved providers and LEAs in service of strong program and Bluebonnet Learning Implementation.

​As a leader managing two units, the director manages the Deputy Director of Regional Support and Implementation Coaching as well as the Deputy Director of District Engagement. In addition, the director supports both units by regularly attending team meetings to provide feedback on strategic direction and decision making and directly manages 1-2 members of the units in addition to the deputy directors.

​As a leader on a newly launching program, the director bears significant responsibility in driving a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture and approach, including proactively designing the “best of” multiple approaches coming together in one program. In addition, the deputy director will lead on facilitating decision-making and development spaces that incorporate multiple voices and perspectives. This position reports to the Principal Director of Leadership, Engagement, and Operations.​

Flexible work location in Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

**Please note that a resume and cover letter are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check. **

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

**​​1. District Experience Strategy and Management **

​In partnership with the direct engagement team, set aligned vision and project plan for district support experience from recruitment to application to onboarding to the 3-year Education Service Center/vendor engagement. Oversee, advise and manage execution of strong annual LASO application process and ongoing check-ins with LEAs to gauge satisfaction and growth (informed by FOI data and ESC/vendor input).

​Oversee planning and execution of district implementation supports, including upfront program/LASO communications, district check-ins, district fidelity of implementation and data tracking, innovator strategy to identify and magnify bright spots, field visit coordination and observation data tracking, and supporting feedback loops into ESC/vendor coaching and/or content development workstreams.

​Plan and manage a strategy of cultivating strong innovators/exemplars in the field through the Bluebonnet Beacons program, and working with vendors to capture case studies, videos, and other compelling content​

​​**2. Approved Provider Support Strategy and Management **

​In partnership with the regional support and coaching team, set aligned vision and project plan for approved provider vetting, coaching, and evaluation. Aligned to monthly LIFT program priorities, oversee, advise, and manage the planning and execution of strong coaching and implementation support throughout the LIFT ecosystem, most directly by Texas Education Agency staff who directly coach and support LIFT program leads.

Manage ESC and approved provider evaluation and report card rating process, as well as deep dive/step-back support leveraging district support data and information, driving ESCs and approved providers to stronger delivery of LIFT program components.

​​Oversee and support approved provider vetting on an annual cycle, ensuring approved providers for LIFT are able to meet current and projected demand for Bluebonnet Learning implementation support.

​​​**3. Manage, Design, and Facilitate Approved Provider Learning **

​Guide the scope, design and execution of approved provider professional development during a series of ongoing conferences. Review scope and sequence, conference agenda, and session plans and give feedback to ensure they meet intended outcomes. In addition, directly design and facilitate (independently or in collaboration with a team-mate or vendor partner) learning experiences to our approved provider program leaders, district coaches, and/or campus coaches.

​​**4 . Team Management and Supervision​ **

Manage and coach two deputy directors and one to two coaching leads to effectively drive toward program outcomes and individual development goals and needs. Foster a positive, productive, and collaborative team culture aligned to meeting the goals and priorities of the district engagement team. Engage team members in weekly check-ins to discuss progress towards job function and professional development goals.

​​**5. Steward Cross Agency Alignment and Coherence **

​ Set and plan strategy for cross-agency coherence from district participation and expectations across agency initiatives. Collaborate with school improvement, Texas Strategic Leadership, educator preparation, special programs, and the office of special populations and student support to ensure district expectations and supports are coherent and streamlined.