2026 - 2027 Coordinator - Research and Innovation

Job Title: Coordinator of Research and Innovation Wage/Hour Status:  Exempt

Reports to: Chief Innovation Officer Pay Grade: AP 5

Dept/School: Office of Innovation Length of Contract: 226

Date Revised: May 4, 2026

Primary Purpose:

Advance the district's mission by securing diverse funding sources and ensuring implementation of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). Serve as the lead strategist for grant acquisition and as the principal steward of TIA data accuracy, regulatory adherence, and stakeholder engagement, guaranteeing innovative programs are properly financed and executed. Provide support for complex inquiries, research initiatives, and administrative functions.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor's Degree in Education, Public Administration, Statistics, Math, or a field related to the major responsibilities of this position

Master's degree preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats.

Ability to conduct and analyze research and synthesize data into a clear and concise format.

Strong organizational, communication, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills

Ability to define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Be flexible, resilient, and adaptable to changing priorities

Ability to develop and manage large-scale budgets in a complex organizational environment

Has knowledge and understanding of the Teacher Incentive Allotment

Ability to update various data sources and dashboards 

Experience:

Successful experience in public relations and/or writing, developing applications, and obtaining funding from public and private sources. 

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Grants

1. Monitors state and federal legislation, projects, and programs for the possibilities and opportunities they offer for educational grants, entitlements, and allocations relevant to the needs of the district.
2. Obtains information, data, and application forms necessary to fulfill the requirements of the application, including ongoing evaluation.
3. Assumes responsibility for submitting all applications and proposals for alternative funding.
4. Considers and evaluates all requests from school personnel for projects and programs requiring alternate funding and reports to the District Grant Review Committee.
5. Serves as co-chairperson of the District Grant Review Committee.
6. Coordinates all grant proposals and recommends a plan for the effective use of funds available to the schools through various programs.
7. Conducts in-service education workshops, as needed, in the writing of performance objectives, the drafting of project proposals, and the interpretation of specifications for alternate funding.
8. Serves as liaison between the school and other agencies on projects of a joint community nature that are expected to involve the school and can be funded in an alternate manner.
9. Conducts research and prepares executive summaries on various educational issues.
10. Data collection from district platforms (Frontline, Eduphoria, OnDataSuite, CLI Engage, Amira, PEIMS/TSDS)

TIA

1. Data management for the purposes of TIA designation calculation and TIA data submission.
2. Compliance reporting to TEA / TTU regarding local designation system annual submissions and system validation
3. Updates TIA documentation for all district stakeholders
4. Communicates with campus and district personnel regarding TIA policy updates
5. Facilitates and presents at scheduled TIA working group meetings
6. Conducts training for district and campus leaders on TIA policies and procedures
7. Create professional development materials about the district's local designation systems
8. Submits payroll information for TIA payouts
9. Manages district retained TIA funds in compliance with state law and TIA procurement standards
10. Performs other responsibilities as assigned.

General Employee Requirements:

• Support and align work with the district's mission, vision, and beliefs.
• Follow and support board policies in areas of related responsibility.
• Ensure district resources are managed effectively to maximize their impact on student learning.
• Share in the development and implementation of district success plans.
• Actively participate in ongoing development to improve work quality and district contribution.
• Model integrity, work ethic, and professionalism as a suitable example for LISD students.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands; Environmental Factors: Maintain emotional control under stress. Has the ability to manage multiple submission timelines. Occasional prolonged or irregular hours. 

Evaluation: 

Evaluation will be based, in part, on the overall effectiveness demonstrated by the quality of proposals and the annual increase in funding secured.