What are the responsibilities and job description for the THECB - Program Specialist IV (Strategic Partnerships Communications Specialist) position at TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD?
THECB is observing a hybrid telecommuting schedule with employees required to be in the office at least two (2) days per week.
We are located at the George Herbert Walker Bush building located in the capitol complex at 1801 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701.
General Description:
This position is responsible for supporting the strategic partnership communications strategy, with a focus on advancing the goals of Building a Talent Strong Texas. Key responsibilities include coordinating grant proposals and reports, managing timelines, and collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure timely, data-driven submissions. Additionally, this position works closely with internal teams and stakeholders to ensure consistent branding, messaging, and presentation materials for board meetings and public engagements. The role also supports the creation of external communications, including THEF newsletters, web content, and other assets that highlight agency progress and initiatives for a variety of cross-sector audiences. This position reports to the Executive and Strategic Communications Manager.
Grant Proposals and Reports
- Produces content for compelling proposals requesting foundation, corporate, and federal funding and prepares funding proposals that are aligned with THECB’s strategic plan.
- Drafts grant reports for funders, working in close partnership with programs leads to provide necessary content.
- Manages timelines for proposal completion and assigns deadlines for content experts to contribute to the proposal.
- Gathers and uses data to accurately describe program outcomes in grant reports, according to funder guidelines.
- Supports other THECB departments with initiatives related to THEF funding priorities by creating written content and materials.
- Prepares complex grant operating budget requests to funders, ensuring 1) applications align with projected expenditures and 2) grant reports align with actual expenditures
- Supports Executive and Strategic Communications Manager with internal and external grant management activities including grant communications, meeting agendas, and check-in documents.
- Supports the preparation for and execution of Quarterly Board meetings (calendar invites, board book, PowerPoint, meeting minutes).
- Develop presentation materials for the quarterly THEF Board and Council meetings.
- Supports the creation of Foundation communication materials including a bi-annual newsletter, communications calendar, social media accounts, and website updates, ensuring content is on-brand and aligned with messaging of THECB’s strategic plan.
- Supports ad-hoc communication needs such as end-of-the-year thank you letters and communications to board members.
- Creates and formats all THEF documentation, templates, and materials (board book, requests for payment, vendor onboarding letter) to align with THEF branding.
- Supports the Texas Higher EDge Conference and other foundation related convenings, focusing on fundraising materials and other communications tools.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Skill in grant report and writing. Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to work with attention to detail ensuring all work is done with the highest degree of accuracy.
- Experience working with types of data such as financial, operational, and performance-related data.
- Ability to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals, reports, and other communications materials.
- Experience with techniques and methods of planning, organizing, and writing various types of materials in collaboration with a team.
- Ability to complete multiple priorities and projects concurrently.
- Ability to set priorities, solve problems, meet deadlines.
- Skill in identifying potential challenges, resolving problems, and taking proactive measures to address potential problems.
- Skilled at informing: provides individuals and teams information in a timely manner so that they can make accurate decisions; is timely with information. Keeps management informed of emerging problems or critical issues.
- Skilled at interpersonal savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
- Experience using Microsoft Suite and similar software to create presentations, reports, and informational documents.
- Ability to take initiative; work independently; make decisions using sound judgment; and comfortable working in ambiguous situations with limited or incomplete information.
- Ability to analyze, synthesize and summarize complex information.
- Ability to communicate complex information in a clear, organized, and concise way.
- Maintains records and files of work and revisions.
Military Crosswalk: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf
Required Minimum Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
- Two years of experience in technical writing, journalism, grant writing, development, communication or related field.
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in English, rhetoric, communications, journalism, or related field may substitute for one year of required work experience.
- Previous experience or familiarity with grant management.
- Experience in or demonstrated capacity for development of grant proposals, logic models and strategic plans.
- Experience with higher education research and outreach or student success initiatives.
- Knowledge of higher education policy issues and best practices.
- Experience in event planning and convenings.
Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires:
- Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at work.
- Frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers, and telephones.
- Frequent sitting.
- Frequently works under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.
Must be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables.
- Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules, working extended hours as necessary.
- Adhere to the organization’s internal management policies and procedures.
- Contribute to the agency’s performance measures and mission.
Application Requirements:
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board’s employment opportunities website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/careers/.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.
Notes to Applicant:
If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.
Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.
Veterans Information: THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.
- Proof of education and experience listed on the application.
- Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S.
- Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check.
- Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request.
THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.
Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview
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.
