Chief of Staff

Job Description

The Chief of Staff reports to the Deputy Superintendent and serves as a trusted strategic advisor to the Superintendent and executive leadership team, driving the district''s highest-priority initiatives and ensuring seamless execution across the organization. This executive leader translates vision into action by leading cross-functional work, aligning senior leaders around district priorities, removing barriers to implementation, and establishing the systems, governance, and accountability necessary to achieve transformational outcomes for students.

The Chief of Staff operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, governance, and innovation, overseeing enterprise-wide initiatives that require exceptional judgment, executive presence, political acumen, and the ability to influence across complex organizations to ensure the district achieves academic results for every student.

Job Qualifications

EDUCATION

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Public Administration, or a related field

Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Policy/Administration, Education Leadership, or related field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

Significant supervisory project management experience (7+ years), preferably in a large, urban school district

TYPE OF SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Expert knowledge of HISD and/or understanding of urban education and change management in complex systems.

Knowledge and appreciation of business concepts, strong business writing skills, and strong knowledge of spreadsheet and presentation software.

Strong problem-solving and project management skills, including strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach an end goal.

A commitment to equity; demonstrates a sense of urgency regarding closing the achievement gap and driving equitable educational opportunities for all students.

A successful record leading effective teams and individuals, managing organizational change, setting and achieving ambitious goals, and initiating key innovations.

Demonstrated ability to develop a vision and inspire others to achieve shared goals.

Comfort in leading difficult conversations, guided by the best interests of students and families

Integrity and clarity in all communications and interactions.

Strong time management skills and the ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills.

A flexible, optimistic approach; committed to overcoming challenges; comfortable with change and ambiguity.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences (e.g., large groups, staff meetings, executive briefings, public board meetings, memos).

Strong analytical skills and a high degree of intellectual curiosity to distill analysis into insights and translate insights into action.

A performance management, accountability, and systems-thinking orientation necessary to inform data-driven strategy development and execution.

Ability to initiate and manage cohesive partnerships and professional relationships with stakeholders at all levels, along with the ability to build consensus on pathways for improving student outcomes and addressing complex issues.

Willingness to go above and beyond to contribute to the success of a dynamic team committed to a new future for urban education.

Fluency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district wide.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is nonstandardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes.

Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Leads others in the resolution of highly sensitive and confidential issues on behalf of the department. Acts as a trusted advisor, and becomes involved in the customer''s decision making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems. Monitors customer service standards.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.

Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.

1 Executive Operations & Strategic Advisor to Superintendent & Deputy Superintendent

• Lead the Office of the Chief of Staff''s strategic operations, including coordination across district Chiefs, oversight of executive advisory councils, communication of weekly Cabinet priorities and enterprise-wide initiatives that require cross-functional leadership.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Superintendent and executive leadership team, providing counsel on complex organizational issues, leading enterprise-wide initiatives, and representing the Superintendent in executive and external engagements as appropriate.
• Directly support the Superintendent and closely manage the day-to-day operations of the Superintendent, including the prioritization of key tasks and management of call lists and to-do lists.
• Produce high-quality and error-free written communications under tight deadlines, including memos, work plans, one-pagers and briefs, often on behalf of the Superintendent.
• Act as a surrogate for the Superintendent when they are unable to attend meetings, taking notes on next steps and reporting back. Manage the Executive Assistant(s) to the Superintendent, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the Superintendent's calendar and other key logistics.

2 Performance Management, Accountability & Data Governance

• Design and oversee the district''s performance management and accountability systems to ensure strategic priorities outlined in the district action plan are executed with fidelity and achieve intended outcomes.
• Lead enterprise data governance, establish processes for monitoring key performance indicators, facilitate executive performance reviews, and build a culture of continuous improvement by supporting leaders to routinely reflect on data to monitor progress towards goals, adjust direction if needed, address implementation barriers, and maintain accountability for results.

3 Board Governance & Executive Leadership

• In partnership with the General Counsel's office, oversee the district''s Board governance processes, including Board agenda development, executive briefings, and communication with Board members, ensuring timely, transparent, and effective governance.

4 Strategic Initiatives & Organizational Transformation

• Lead the district''s highest-priority strategic initiatives, including the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Future 2 Schools initiative. Partner with the Superintendent and executive leadership team to translate vision into action, drive organizational transformation, and ensure cross-functional alignment around district priorities.
• Direct a high-performing Strategic Projects Team, to accelerate the district''s highest-priority initiatives, strengthen leadership capacity across departments, solve complex organizational challenges, and provide flexible, high-impact support aligned to the evolving priorities of the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent.

1 Executive Operations & Strategic Advisor to Superintendent & Deputy Superintendent

• Lead the Office of the Chief of Staff''s strategic operations, including coordination across district Chiefs, oversight of executive advisory councils, communication of weekly Cabinet priorities and enterprise-wide initiatives that require cross-functional leadership.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Superintendent and executive leadership team, providing counsel on complex organizational issues, leading enterprise-wide initiatives, and representing the Superintendent in executive and external engagements as appropriate.
• Directly support the Superintendent and closely manage the day-to-day operations of the Superintendent, including the prioritization of key tasks and management of call lists and to-do lists.
• Produce high-quality and error-free written communications under tight deadlines, including memos, work plans, one-pagers and briefs, often on behalf of the Superintendent.
• Act as a surrogate for the Superintendent when they are unable to attend meetings, taking notes on next steps and reporting back. Manage the Executive Assistant(s) to the Superintendent, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the Superintendent's calendar and other key logistics.

2 Performance Management, Accountability & Data Governance

• Design and oversee the district''s performance management and accountability systems to ensure strategic priorities outlined in the district action plan are executed with fidelity and achieve intended outcomes.
• Lead enterprise data governance, establish processes for monitoring key performance indicators, facilitate executive performance reviews, and build a culture of continuous improvement by supporting leaders to routinely reflect on data to monitor progress towards goals, adjust direction if needed, address implementation barriers, and maintain accountability for results.

3 Board Governance & Executive Leadership

• In partnership with the General Counsel's office, oversee the district''s Board governance processes, including Board agenda development, executive briefings, and communication with Board members, ensuring timely, transparent, and effective governance.

4 Strategic Initiatives & Organizational Transformation

• Lead the district''s highest-priority strategic initiatives, including the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Future 2 Schools initiative. Partner with the Superintendent and executive leadership team to translate vision into action, drive organizational transformation, and ensure cross-functional alignment around district priorities.
• Direct a high-performing Strategic Projects Team, to accelerate the district''s highest-priority initiatives, strengthen leadership capacity across departments, solve complex organizational challenges, and provide flexible, high-impact support aligned to the evolving priorities of the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent.