Associate Executive Director, Governmental Relations

Why Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)

We come from humble beginnings — picture a one-person organization created in 1949 to advocate for excellence in public education on behalf of Texas school board members. Flash forward to today, and we have over 500 employees working together to provide 1,024 school districts with purposeful resources so they can focus on what matters most — excellent and equitable education for all 5.4 million Texas students. 

As TASBeans (our internal name for employees), we feel privileged to work alongside talented team-members who are passionate about education and enjoy learning from new and different perspectives.  We believe what makes our organization highly successful is the rich diversity our employees collectively bring to TASB with different backgrounds, skillsets, cultures and ethnicities, gender identities, interests, abilities, and work styles. And our passion for education and learning doesn’t end there. Our culture has always encouraged employees to grow and become their best selves both professionally and personally through a variety of innovative and collaborative development opportunities. You’re likely beginning to see why we’ve been regularly named by Austin Business Journal as a Top Ten Best Places to Work! 

TASB offers competitive pay, rich benefits (including retirement matching of 2:1 up to 5% after one year. This means that if you contribute 5% to the plan, TASB will contribute 10%), onsite daycare, onsite gym, wellness program, tuition reimbursement, remote work options, flexible schedules, and more. 

Every role at TASB thoughtfully complements our mission and the educational impact being made in communities across Texas. If you consider your work exceptional and want to help drive our mission forward, keep reading!

About You

As the Associate Executive Director (AED) for Governmental Relations, you are responsible for the management and oversight of the Governmental Relations Division. This position will also implement legislative grassroots strategies across the state, coordinate activities of the talent governmental relations team, and serve as the staff liaison to the Legislative Committee of the TASB Board. 

A Typical Day 

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive governmental relations strategy for the Association. 
• Maintain and grow strong relationships with elected officials and other key stakeholders. 
• Provide sound legislative advice to Association leadership. 
• If you’re still reading, we’d love to meet you!

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Advance the priorities of the Association’s Advocacy Agenda through the development and execution of a comprehensive governmental relations strategy. 
• Work to influence legislative and regulatory solutions in support of a strong Texas public school system and the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Serve as the primary lobbyist for the Association. 
• Maintain­­—and continuously work to grow—positive relationships with state legislators, their legislative offices, and Texas governmental agencies. 
• Build strong relationships with other public education member associations, key business and academic leaders, and media contacts in support of Texas public education and the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Track and evaluate the effect of current and pending legislation affecting the Association’s members and routinely advise Association leaders on these issues. 
• Develop professional briefs, Op-Eds, presentations, and other documents in support of the Association’s governmental relations work. 
• Set key messaging themes to advance the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Work closely with the Association’s communications team on setting the public advocacy strategic plan. 
• Oversee the implementation of a strong grassroots strategy across the state that seeks out and incorporates local school trustee input in the development of the Association’s Advocacy Agenda. 
• Plan and oversee the logistics of annual large-scale governmental relations conferences, meetings, and presentations. 
• Directly supervise and provide guidance and support to the staff on the Association’s governmental relations team. 
• Evaluate work products and conduct performance evaluations of staff on the Association’s governmental relations team. 
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Legislative Committee of the TASB Board of Trustees. 
• Serve as the main liaison from Governmental Relations to other divisions. 
• Represent the Association at functions and activities as assigned by the Executive Director. 
• Hire and manage external lobbyists as needed. 
• Oversee annual budget of the Governmental Relations di