ESA Division Director (Reopen)

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Flexible work schedule

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts seeks an experienced Director for the ESA division to lead the TEFA program, set goals, develop policies, and align with legislative priorities. You will supervise 13 staff and collaborate with providers, participants, and oversight bodies in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

The role requires a bachelor's degree, 8+ years in strategic planning and program management, and proven experience with education policy and school choice programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, government, project management, public policy, or related field.
• Eight years of experience in strategic planning, management, and administration of large, complex projects.
• Eight years of experience supervising staff, including planning, assigning, and directing work.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership over a division, directing multiple programs and establishing long range priorities, standards, and performance measures.
• Oversees divisional compliance with state and federal requirements and ensures alignment with legislative and regulatory changes.
• Develops and approves divisional policies, procedures, and strategic guidelines; ensures alignment with agency wide strategy.
• Oversees agency compliance with open records requirements and directs staff responsible for fulfilling requests.
• Establishes divisional policy frameworks for resolving high risk program issues, appeals, and complaints; provides executive guidance on major cases.
• Oversees delivery of customer service to program applicants, participants, providers of educational services, and vendors of educational products.
• Directs the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of state and federally mandated reports.
• Oversees the onboarding and regulatory alignment of educational service providers and vendors.

Skills

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Public speaking

Legislative activities

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or public policy

Eight years in strategic planning and management

Eight years supervising staff and directing work

Eight years engaging in legislative activities

Experience in education policy or school-choice programs

Tools

AI proficiency

Contract management

Marketing & communications

Job description

Agency Information

Serve Texas with private-sector urgency and public-sector purpose.

Every dollar the State of Texas collects, holds, or spends runs through the Comptroller's Office. We are the state's chief tax collector, accountant, revenue estimator, treasurer, and purchasing manager. We write the checks and keep the books for the multi-billion-dollar business of state government, and we serve virtually every Texan while doing it.

Texans trust us with their money. We earn that trust every day by safeguarding taxpayer dollars, cutting waste, and finding better, faster, more efficient ways to get the job done.

This is not a place to coast. The work is demanding, the pace is fast, and the standards are high. We want people who take ownership, question the status quo, and think creatively seeing beyond the obvious to solve the problems facing Texans. We measure ourselves by results. If you're driven by the idea that government can work better, and willing to work hard to prove it, you'll fit in here.

What you'll get in return: real responsibility, meaningful work, and the chance to build your career alongside sharp, mission-focused professionals. We invest in people who invest in the job, with on-the-job training, professional development, and room to grow as fast as your performance allows.

Public service is a calling. If you're ready to make every taxpayer dollar count, we want to hear from you.

Work Hours

40 hours a week between the hours of 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend hours. Hours may change based on business needs, especially during legislative sessions. This position may be eligible for a flexible/hybrid work schedule if certain conditions are met, working arrangements may change at any time as business necessitates.

General Description

We are looking for an experienced Director for the ESA division to direct activities of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. Working in a fast-paced environment, you will set TEFA program goals and objectives; develop policies, procedures, and guidelines; establish priorities, standards, and performance metrics for tracking progress in meeting goals; coordinate and evaluate program activities and business functions; and review and approve the division budget, strategic plan, and business continuity plan. You will supervise the work of 13 program staff. Strong communication and collaboration skills will be necessary in working with key program stakeholders, including program participants, providers of educational services and products, and government oversight bodies. Experience working with another state's ESA or similar school choice program would be highly beneficial. The right candidate will be enthusiastic about contributing to the successful launch of the program, demonstrate policy and program knowledge, and be ready to contribute immediately in a high-intensity work setting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in business, government, project management, public policy, public administration or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of experience in strategic planning, management, and administration of large, complex projects.
• Eight (8) years of experience supervising staff, including planning, assigning, and directing work.
• Eight (8) years of experience engaging in legislative activities, public speaking, and delivering presentations.
• Experience working in education policy or education savings account programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with and proficient use of Artificial intelligence (AI).
• Experience with school choice programs.
• Experience with contract development and oversight.
• Experience with marketing and communication.

Substitutions

One (1) additional year of full-time experience in strategic planning, management, and administration may substitute for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education with a maximum of 120 semester hours (four years).

Licenses / Certifications (Required)

• A valid Texas (or state of residency) driver's license and a satisfactory driving record are a condition of employment. Applicants offered an interview must present the following documents at or before the interview: A state issued driving record for the last 36 months, valid Texas driver's license (or state of residency driver's license) and current proof of automobile insurance.
• Certification as a Contract Manager is required within 6 months of start date.

Essential Job Duties

• Provides strategic leadership over a division, directing multiple programs and establishing long range priorities, standards, and performance measures.
• Oversees divisional compliance with state and federal requirements and ensures alignment with legislative and regulatory changes.
• Develops and approves divisional policies, procedures, and strategic guidelines; ensures alignment with agency wide strategy.
• Oversees agency compliance with open records requirements and directs staff responsible for fulfilling requests.
• Establishes divisional policy frameworks for resolving high risk program issues, appeals, and complaints; provides executive guidance on major cases.
• Oversees delivery of customer service to program applicants, participants, providers of educational services, and vendors of educational products.
• Directs the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of state and federally mandated reports.
• Oversees the onboarding and regulatory alignment of educational service providers and vendors, establishing and maintaining a compliant program marketplace that supports legislative objectives and statewide strategic priorities.

Staff Leadership

• Plans, assigns, and supervises work of program staff.
• Fosters staff development and growth.
• Performs and/or reviews timely employee evaluations. Addresses performance and disciplinary issues as they arise.
• Ensures program staff achieve annual training requirements.
• Develops and maintains job descriptions, prepares job postings, and hires staff.

Financial, Budget And Contract

• Prepares and implements division budget, Business Plan, and Business Continuity Plan.
• Assists with development of Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR) and strategic plan.
• Oversees audits, including audits by TEFA independent auditor and SAO.
• Maintains performance measure data.
• Coordinates procurement and payment of goods and services.
• Development and evaluation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for goods and services.
• Assists in development of and monitors program contracts.

Outreach

• Provides strategic direction and oversight for the development of communications, informational materials, and outreach products across multiple media platforms to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with program goals and federal and state law.
• Directs the development, review, and approval of marketing plans and promotional materials.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with stakeholder groups.

Legislative

• Implements state and federal legislation impacting program.
• Tracks and analyzes state and federal bills impacting program; prepares fiscal note of cost as required.
• Prepares and presents legislative testimony.
• Responds to legislative inquiries.
• Coordinates with other state or federal agencies regarding program funding and legislation, including but not limited to TEA, DPS and LBB.

Performs other duties as assigned

Maximize Your Earnings!

At the Comptroller's office, we know potential employees are looking for more than just a paycheck. The agency offers a strong benefits package for you and your family. Insurance, retirement plans, and a flexible work schedule are just the start. See our benefits offering

Please Note

An applicant must be eligible to work in the United States to be hired at the Comptroller's office and must remain eligible, without sponsorship or any assurance of financial or other assistance from this agency, during the term of their employment.

Military Preference: To receive military preference, you are required to provide proof by attaching the necessary documentation to this job application.

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.

The Comptroller's Office is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.