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.

The Finance Project Manager (PM) Lead will report to the Deputy Commissioner of Finance in the Office of Finance.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing project managers in support of large-scale, complex, technology-based initiatives from initiation through closeout. This includes leading or playing a significant role in enterprise system implementations or replacements, such as transitioning from retiring or legacy systems to new solutions, while overseeing contract and vendor management and coordinating vendors, stakeholders, scope, schedule, and budget.

The candidate will be responsible for managing assigned projects as well as providing leadership and direction to a cross-office team of project managers. This role performs highly advanced project management work, operates with minimal supervision, and exercises extensive latitude for initiative, independent judgment, and decision-making.

The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of project management processes and methodologies, strong leadership and management skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively across teams. Extensive experience presenting to senior and executive leadership is required, and candidates are expected to provide specific, verifiable examples of executive-level engagement and outcomes.

This role works closely with senior and executive leadership across the agency and may coordinate or communicate on project activities with contractors and external partners. Experience with grant systems and or knowledge of the grant management cycle is preferred.

The Finance Project Manager Lead may work a hybrid schedule.

Please note that a resume 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. Vendor/Project Management: oversees all aspects of assigned projects, including contract management, vendor performance, as well as supporting the team (both vendor and TEA project team members) to be productive as well as delivering quality deliverables and providing exceptional customer service; continually evaluates current processes and project progression to determine areas for improvement
2. Deliverable Quality: oversees, monitors, and manages the quality of complex project deliverables and works to identify solutions for areas needing improvement; verifies project deliverables are acceptable, fulfill terms of the team agreements, and are within time and budget; oversee the deliverables of staff, select project teams, and contract work
3. Customer Satisfaction: communicates routinely to management, customers, project team members, and other stakeholders, actively soliciting and addressing customer and project team feedback; work to establish and maintain a good relationship with customers for assigned and supervised projects

Minimum Qualifications:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Degree fields: IT, Business Administration, or related field
• Experience: At least seven [7] years of experience in project management of complex projects, contract and vendor management, state procurement practices, state finance and/or technology functions
• Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

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.
• Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certification must be obtained within first six (6) months of employment.
• Knowledge of project management theories and practices applicable to limited-scope projects; systems and procedures used to evaluate a third-party vendor’s performance; and local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of the project undertaken.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions, analyze complex issues, develop actionable plans, negotiate and facilitate effectively, assess project risks, prepare reports and visuals, communicate clearly, and manage project staff and responsibilities.
• A strong customer-service mindset focused on meeting the needs of stakeholders.
• Skill at motivating and influencing others where there is not a direct reporting relationship.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to connect with a variety of audiences.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve.
• Ability to engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment.
• Willingness and availability to work outside the regular work hours, as needed, to support project needs.
• Willingness and ability to adapt to unexpected tasks, as assigned.

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 "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" 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.