THECB - Program Specialist VI (Strategic Initiatives Specialist)

General Description:
The Strategic Initiatives Specialist will play a key role in advancing initiatives that promote the goals of Building a Talent Strong Texas. This position will support execution and communication of Commissioner priorities. The ideal candidate will be a strong writer, strategic thinker, and collaborator with an interest in public policy, higher education, and public service.

Reporting to the Executive and Strategic Communications Manager, the position works closely with Strategic Partnerships leadership, the Commissioner, agency leadership, and division staff to ensure that key strategic initiatives are clearly communicated, effectively operationalized, and responsive to changing needs. Under moderate supervision and with the ability to exercise sound judgment, the Strategic Initiatives Specialist will contribute to the advancement of agency priorities.

General Duties and Responsibilities:
•    Conduct research and gather insights to support strategic planning and initiatives, including analysis of programs, outcomes, and stakeholder engagement related to the Building a Talent Strong Texas plan.
•    Support the Executive and Strategic Communications Manager with the development and dissemination of briefing decks, research summaries, and other materials that synthesize complex topics into accessible, strategic narratives, particularly for the Commissioner, including for meetings requiring travel.
•    Assist in the design and documentation of initiatives, ensuring strategic clarity, measurable outcomes, and lessons learned.
•    Collaborate with internal teams to ensure that strategic initiative narratives are aligned across presentations, proposals, and public-facing materials.
•    Support the implementation of executive communications and strategic projects by managing project plans, timelines, and stakeholder communications
•    Assist in monitoring key milestones and performance indicators related to agency initiatives, ensuring outputs are delivered on time and to a high standard.
•    Help prepare recurring updates, status reports, and briefing materials that keep leadership and teams informed and aligned of Commissioner priority initiatives.
•    Support cross-functional working groups or task forces by coordinating agendas, capturing action items, and following through on deliverables.
•    Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
•    Ability to work with attention to detail ensuring all work is done with the highest degree of accuracy.
•    Ability to write clear, structured, and articulate reports and other communications materials.
•    Experience with techniques and methods of planning, organizing, and writing various types of materials in collaboration with a team.
•    Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines across multiple projects concurrently.
•    Skill in identifying potential challenges, resolving problems, and taking proactive measures to address potential problems. 
•    Skilled at informing: Provides individuals and teams information in a timely manner so that they can make accurate decisions; is timely with information. Keeps management informed of emerging problems or critical issues. 
•    Skilled at interpersonal savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
•    Experience using Microsoft Suite and similar software to create presentations, reports, and informational documents. 
•    Ability to take initiative; work independently; make decisions using sound judgment; and comfortable working in ambiguous situations with limited or incomplete information. 
•    Ability to analyze, synthesize, summarize and communicate complex information in a clear, organized, and concise way. 
•    Maintains records and files of work and revisions.  

Telework with Two Required In-Office Days:
This position is authorized for a hybrid telework schedule. Employees are required to work in the office two (2) days per week, with the remaining three days eligible for telework. Specific in-office days may be determined by the department to meet business needs.

Military Crosswalk: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

Required Minimum Education and Experience:
·    Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
·    Two years of experience in higher education program, policy or practice.

Preferred:
Preferred Education and Experience:
•    Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of required work experience.
•    Experience in or demonstrated capacity for development of logic models and strategic plans.
•    Knowledge of higher education policy issues and best practices.
•    Experience supporting complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

Physical Requirements and/or Working Conditions:
Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires:
•    Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at work;
•    Frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers and telephones;
•    Frequent sitting;
•    Frequently works under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.

Workforce:
•    Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables.
•    Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules, working extended hours as necessary.
•    Adhere to the organization’s internal management policies and procedures.
•    Contribute to the agency’s performance measures and mission.

Application Requirements:
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board’s employment opportunities website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/careers/.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.

Notes to Applicant:
If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.

Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.

Veterans Information: THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon:
• Proof of education and experience listed on the application.
• Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S.
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request.

THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.

Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview.

Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.