Project Manager, Open Education Resources (Education Specialist V)

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values: 
• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students. 
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
• We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

This is a 10-day posting, which will close on June 9, at 11:59pm.

Position Overview: The Project Manager for Open Education Resources (OER) is responsible for overseeing project planning and execution, as well as vendor, contract, and fiscal management across assigned OER projects. This role ensures that all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget to support the development and implementation of high‑quality instructional materials.

This position collaborates closely with content experts, strategic leaders, and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including TEA teams, Regional Education Service Centers, HQIM publishers, review groups, and vendors. The role requires a highly adaptable individual capable of managing multiple concurrent projects in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining alignment with agency priorities and quality standards.

The Project Manager works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The position reports to the Director of Project Management within the OER division, which resides within the Office of School Programs. While it does not include formal supervisory responsibilities, the role involves extensive coordination and collaboration with colleagues within the division and across the broader Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments 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. Project Planning and Management: Plan, manage, and oversee multiple complex OER projects by developing and implementing detailed project plans that define scope, timelines, milestones, deliverables, and resource allocation. Monitor project progress, identify risks and gaps, manage changes in scope or schedule, and make data informed adjustments to ensure projects are completed on time, within established parameters, and in alignment with organizational goals and quality standards.
2. Vendor Management: Manage and monitor multiple vendors supporting OER projects by coordinating agile and rapid cycle review and publication workflows. Develop and maintain vendor evaluation tools, systems, and structures to support consistent performance monitoring. Identify and remove roadblocks for division and department content experts, ensuring vendors meet quality standards, timeline expectations, and overall project outcomes.
3. Contract Management: Oversee vendor contracts supporting OER projects, including coordinating procurement activities, participating in contract negotiations, and ensuring contract execution aligns with compliance requirements, timelines, and deliverables. Administer contract amendments, budget revisions, and fiscal oversight to ensure effective use of funds and successful delivery of high‑quality instructional materials to Texas schools and districts at the best value for the state.
4. Workstream, System and Operational Support Management: Plan, coordinate, and oversee division level workstreams to ensure instructional materials initiatives align with Agency strategic priorities and operational requirements. Collaborate closely with project managers within the OER division and across other TEA divisions to ensure initiatives, systems, and operational processes are coordinated and mutually supportive. Identify and address operational dependencies and roadblocks to support smooth adoption and implementation pathways for local education agencies (LEAs). Provide frequent, clear updates across the project portfolio to communicate progress, risks, decisions, and impacts to stakeholders.
5. Team Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:  Lead and coordinate project teams by actively engaging internal staff, external partners, vendors, and agency stakeholders to support the successful execution of OER initiatives. Work through conflicts constructively and partner with others to generate ideas and solutions that address challenges and support project momentum. Foster a collaborative and productive work environment by facilitating clear, timely communication and coordination across organizations. Align stakeholders around shared project goals, roles, and expectations to promote effective decision‑making, issue resolution, and achievement of project objectives.

 

Minimum Qualifications
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in project management, business, or a related field with a passion for public education
• 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 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred
• Experience in project management, communications, and/or strategy and implementation with internal teams, client and/or vendor-facing roles 
• Possess the ability to effectively organize and complete multiple projects simultaneously, communicate across internal teams effectively, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks to deliver quality products
• Hold core project management skills, including planning, coordination, progress monitoring, issue resolution, stakeholder management and change management
• Demonstrate clear and efficient verbal and written communication skills with various audiences, including ability to design and deliver effective presentations and other public-facing documents
• Ability to build relationships and communicate respectfully with vendors, internal stakeholders, and external stakeholders (teachers, Education Service Centers, Local Education Agency (LEA) leaders, State Board of Education (SBOE) members)
• A desire to self-reflect, give and receive feedback, and focus on continuous improvement
• Have an agile mindset and the ability to complete additional project activities as assigned to meet team and office goals
 
As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

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 Employment at TEA page.

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. Please add "[email protected]" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.