Deputy Director, New Schools (Director I)

Texas Education Agency; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement through ERS

Employer-paid health insurance

Dental and vision options

Holiday, vacation, sick leave

Wellness programs

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Texas Education Agency is seeking a Deputy Director, New Schools to lead the New Schools team, oversee charter school approvals, and ensure successful launches across Texas. The role involves shaping application processes, recruiting operators, and coordinating with TEA divisions to drive high-quality, open-enrollment charter schools in year one.

The position requires leadership experience, strong program management, and the ability to collaborate with multiple teams while traveling up to 10%

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• At least five years of experience in education, including three years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and manage a high quality, detail-oriented team that embraces innovation and continuous improvement.
• Develop and publish a rigorous yet supportive charter school application process and manage external evaluators.
• Recruit leaders and schools to open charter schools and oversee Year 0/Year 1 launch supports.
• Coordinate with cross-functional TEA teams to ensure successful launches and readiness.
• Provide strategic oversight and drive activities that align with agency goals and charter school policy.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Public speaking

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Adobe

PowerPoint

Job description

Agency Information

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Job Description

Position Overview

The mission of the Division of Charter School Authorizing is to provide students and families with access to high-quality, best-fit schools that help unlock the full potential of every student. The Division does this through the authorization and oversight of innovative, high-quality charter schools.

The Deputy Director, New Schools will lead the New Schools team and oversee all work related to the approval and successful launch of open-enrollment charter schools in Texas. This role includes developing and implementing the annual charter school application process, recruiting leaders and schools to open charter schools in Texas, executing multiple contracts and overseeing vendors to support the work, and collaborating with teams across the agency to ensure all new charter schools launch successfully.

The Deputy Director, New Schools will work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, reports directly to the Division Director, and supervises two positions.

This position requires up to 10% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

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

Essential Functions

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

1 - Charter School Application Cycle

Develop and publish a rigorous yet supportive application process for Subchapter D, E and G and High-Performing entities to ensure that only high-quality applicants gain approval to launch new charter schools in Texas and that these schools launch successfully in year one of operation. Implements a multi-year Request for Qualifications process and manages a portfolio of 20+ external evaluators to ensure that charter school evaluations are high-quality and aligned to criteria. Plans and executes application review and capacity interviews across TEA teams including Legal Services, School Finance, Special Populations, and Instructional Materials. Update application process annually with input from stakeholders, State Board of Education, and based on trends in the field and updated legislation.

2 - Recruitment of High-Quality School Operators

Designs and implements public facing materials and presentations to increase the awareness of Texas as the premier location for new entrepreneurs and experienced operators to design and launch new charter schools. Develops targeted outreach plan for high-performing entities to open quality charter schools in Texas aligned to community need.

3 - Texas Charter School Incubator

Develop selection criteria and program vision for the Texas Charter School Incubator. Implements a requests for proposals for qualified vendors, manages vendors to provide high-quality supports for charter applicants that result in quality options for students and families in Texas.

4 - Charter School Year 0 and Year 1 Launch Supports

Creates year-long curriculum and pre-opening checklist to provide essential knowledge and skills for new charter school superintendents and track progress. Works with cross-functional teams to coordinate Year 1 school site visits. Tracks school data related to enrollment, finances, facilities, and staffing to prepare initial recommendations for executive leadership on school readiness to open.

5 - Team Supervision

Build, lead, and manage a high quality, detailed-oriented team that embraces innovation, charter school authorizing best practices, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in education, including three (3) years of required supervisory or leadership experience
• Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Strong preference for candidates with at least five (5) years of experience working in a leadership position within a school district or charter school
• Knowledge of Texas charter school law and policy and charter school authorizing best practices (preferred)
• Excellent professional written and communication skills with experience creating and proofing professional written work (preferred)
• Experience in delivering content and presentations to large audiences
• Ability to develop organizational strategy, set goals, and monitor progress toward goals
• Excellent project management skills, including project planning and ability to consistently hit deadlines
• Excellent PowerPoint and memo development and delivery skills
• Experience creating, updating, and maintaining Excel spreadsheets; word and adobe documents
• Strong prioritization, time management and organizational skills with capability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and solve work-related problems
• A strong customer-service mindset with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve division and agency goals

New hires, rehires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees within the same classification. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and qualifications and consider internal pay equity across employees performing similar work.

The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates whose qualifications exceed the role's requirements. The maximum of the range is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the required and preferred qualifications.

Benefits

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits include

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page.

Military/Veteran Information

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference (MEP) will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

• Select the applicable Military Employment Preference category in the employment application.
• Upload supporting documentation verifying eligibility in the Attachments section of the application before submitting the application.

Important: Self-identifying as eligible for Military Employment Preference does not by itself establish eligibility. Supporting documentation is required for TEA to verify eligibility before Military Employment Preference can be applied during the selection process. Applicants who do not submit sufficient documentation may not be considered eligible for Military Employment Preference. This requirement is consistent with TEA's Military Employment Preference procedures.

For information about eligibility requirements, required supporting documentation, and instructions for claiming Military Employment Preference, please review the Military Employment Preference page, which outlines eligible categories, documentation requirements, and the eligibility verification process.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Careers at TEA page.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.