Project Manager, Performance Reporting Policy and Communications (Project Manager III)

Texas Education Agency; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits through ERS

Flexible work location within Texas

Job summary

Texas Education Agency seeks a Project Manager in Performance Reporting Policy and Communications to drive strategic planning, monitor progress, and coordinate cross-agency initiatives within the Performance Reporting division. You will enhance data reporting and support communications with internal and external stakeholders across Texas public schools.

The role requires strong communication, data analysis skills, and public-sector experience, with up to 5% travel and flexible work location

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in a discipline that requires robust project management
• Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience
• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Advanced project and vendor management skills, including the project lifecycle from initiation through completion
• Ability to prioritize work and operate effectively with minimal supervision
• Development of effective working relationships with diverse individuals and groups including district administrators, teachers, Education Service Center personnel, education experts, and all other relevant stakeholders
• Adherence to accountability best practices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while meeting program goals

Responsibilities

• Monitors Policy and Communications Strategic Planning Systems: Participates in development of project charters and metrics; leads weekly meetings; tracks progress; maintains procedures for cohesion and clarity
• Supports Interagency Collaboration and Partnership Toward Division Goals: Plans cross-agency meetings and planning; uses influence to ensure outcomes
• Manages External Partnerships and Communications: Partners with external partners; manages projects with contractors; supports presentations and surveys
• General Performance Reporting Supports: Assists public and agencies with inquiries related to materials, resources, trainings

Skills

Project management

Vendor management

Communication

Public sector experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree substitution

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Power BI

Smartsheet

Tableau

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

TEA's Performance Reporting division seeks to ensure continuous improvement in the academic achievement of all Texas public school students by 1) developing and implementing transparent, rigorous, and fair academic accountability systems, 2) providing accurate and comprehensive academic performance reporting systems, tools, and trackers and 3) monitoring and validating data to ensure the integrity of these systems.

The Project Manager, Performance Reporting Policy and Communications manages strategic planning systems within the Policy and Communications team to ensure effective, efficient, clear and cohesive systems exist both across the team and in Performance Reporting's work with internal and external stakeholders. The Project Manager demonstrates a deep investment in the A-F accountability system and is passionate about maximizing internal systems to ensure a rigorous, transparent, and fair system exists for more than 5 million public school students statewide. The Project Manager is a strong communicator, is detail-oriented, and demonstrates high levels of both initiative and influence.

This position reports to the Principal Director, Performance Reporting Policy and Communications in the Performance Reporting division, which resides within the Office of Assessment, Accountability, and Reporting.

This position requires up to 5% 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.

Please note that a resume is a required attachment 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 - Monitors Policy and Communications Strategic Planning Systems: Participates, with division and team leaders, in the development of project charters and metrics. Enhances and develops workstream specific and cross-functional work plans with clear milestones, activities, timelines, and owners. Leads weekly meetings to ensure on time and high-quality deliverables. Carefully tracks progress to goals and partners with team leaders and the Director of Policy and Communications to make ongoing adjustments. Maintains and develops standard operating procedures and internal systems for cohesion and clarity.

2 - Supports Interagency Collaboration and Partnership Toward Division Goals: Partners with team, division, and agency Alignment and Delivery Unit (ADU) leaders to schedule, plan and facilitate cross-agency partnership meetings and planning. Leverages impact and influence to ensure outcomes and high-quality deliverables.

3 - Manages External Partnerships and Communications: Partners with team and division leaders to partner and communicate effectively with external partners including advisory groups, other state agencies, and contractors. Monitors and manages project outcomes with contractors. Maintains calendar of communications with external stakeholders and ensures on-time and high-quality deliverables. Supports logistical facilitation of presentations, webinars, and surveys.

4 - General Performance Reporting Supports: Assists the general public, agency, and division with inquiries related to Performance Reporting materials, resources, and trainings.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in a discipline that requires robust project management

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
• Advanced project and vendor management skills, including the project lifecycle from project initiation through completion
• Willingness to fill a need, solve a problem, anticipate risks
• Design and delivery of effective presentations and other public-facing documents
• Skill in management of projects toward outcomes, recognizing the need to prototype and iterate along the way and expecting the ultimate design to look different than the original idea
• Ability to prioritize work and operate effectively with minimal supervision
• Ability to innovate within large public agencies by designing and implementing new initiatives that scale across districts and schools and success leveraging different strategies and interpersonal skills to move the work forward, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability when presented with a change of course and deadline
• Development of effective working relationships with diverse individuals and groups including district administrators, teachers, Education Service Center (ESC) personnel, education experts, and all other relevant stakeholders specifically as it relates to the vision for what constitutes the adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials
• Adherence to accountability best practices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while meeting program goals
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve
• Prior experience using data analysis software and communication tools including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Power BI, Smartsheet, and/or Tableau to effectively synthesize and analyze vast amounts of data and documents effectively
• Prior K-12 Accountability experience preferred

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 will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

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.

To help ensure you receive updates regarding your application, please add [e-mail] and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.