Strategic Initiatives Deputy Director IV

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.  

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure

Functional Title: Strategic Initiatives Deputy Director IV 
Job Title: Director IV 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Deputy Commissioner 
Posting Number: 11802 
Closing Date: 02/02/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-29 
Salary Range: $8,488.33 - $14,356.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 25% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0,91W0 
97E0,SEI15 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial and strategic planning work as the Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives. Responsible for leading agencywide strategic planning, coordinating high-priority initiatives, developing long-range goals, and overseeing governance and reporting structures for DFPS leadership. Provides strategic guidance to the Commissioner and Executive Team; directs cross-division planning and improvement efforts; and oversees division operations, budget activities, and staff. Serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director in the Director’s absence and represents DFPS in executive, interagency, and legislative settings. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Specialized Responsibilities - Strategic Leadership & Agency Planning

• Plans, designs, and facilitates executive and stakeholder strategy sessions to establish agency priorities, align leadership, and drive informed decision-making across DFPS programs and divisions.
• Leads the development and execution of long-term, agencywide strategic and high-priority initiatives, including multi-year projects that span multiple program areas and require coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversees the development, production, and implementation of the DFPS Annual Plan, including goal setting, initiative development, cross-division coordination, and alignment with the DFPS Strategic Plan, Commissioner priorities, and legislative requirements.
• Coordinates enterprise planning and strategic alignment with other state agencies to ensure DFPS priorities are represented in statewide initiatives, rulemaking, and policy development.
• Develops and maintains agencywide governance structures, including prioritization frameworks, initiative tracking systems, and reporting mechanisms to monitor progress of strategic initiatives and inform executive leadership.
• Provides strategic guidance and recommendations to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and Executive Team, ensuring data-informed decision-making and alignment of major initiatives with agency goals, legislative direction, and operational capacity.

Directs program activities and/or business functions within a department(s) or division(s).

• Manages and directs the development and implementation of Strategic Initiatives policies, procedures, and best practices for program operations.
• Directs the planning and coordination of major improvement activities of the department.
• Directs development of agency-wide planning and reporting documents and monitoring the impact of implementation.

Oversees and/or prepares a division(s) or department(s) budget and reviews and approves major expenditures; and ensures that requirements of funding sources are met.

• Oversees the preparation and dissemination of reports, studies and information relating to Strategic Initiatives operations and programs.
• Reviews and approves all expenditures for the department, ensuring allowability and funding availability.

Oversees the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of reports and studies, including management, productivity, and financial reports.

• Oversees the development, preparation, and dissemination of reports to communicate information and changes, and develop recommendations for program changes to improve agency performance.
• Oversees process and program evaluations through project management and program coordination in order to improve and enhance DFPS operations and service delivery using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Provides objective recommendations for improvements and assist program areas with the reengineering of business processes to improve client outcomes.

Develops and/or oversees the implementation of long-range and short-term plans.

• Works with the Deputy Commissioner to oversee the implementation of the agency’s mission as related to Strategic Initiatives.
• Develops improvement processes to address agency needs.

Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and/or business functions; and identifies need for changes.

• Identifies systemic issues, policy conflicts, knowledge and process gaps and deficiencies, and oversees implementation of program improvements.

Develops, establishes, and implements goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan; and develops standards for achieving those goals.

• Establishes and implements long-term program performance, policy and program goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s mission and strategic plan.
• Identifies and develops ways for the Strategic Initiatives department to meet these established goals.

Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines; and monitors compliance.

• Responsible for the development, guidelines, and implementation of Strategic Initiatives policy and procedures for DFPS.
• Provides oversight to ensure compliance with agency and fiscal policy meeting state and federal requirements.

Represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.

• Provides information and represents the Strategic Initiatives division at hearings and legislative meetings with the Legislative Budget Board, the Governor's Office of Budget and Planning, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the agency’s Council.
• Oversees and facilitates intra-agency and external workgroups, meetings, and committees to support agency program initiatives as well as federal and state regulatory directives.
• Coordinates cross-agency strategic efforts with HHSC and other state partners, ensuring DFPS perspectives and priorities are represented in statewide planning, rulemaking, and interagency initiatives.

Responds to legislative inquiries and requests for information and participates in developing legislative appropriation requests.

• Provides guidance, coordination and support in the development and coordination of the agency’s Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR) and operating budgets for the Strategic Initiatives division.
• Prepares financial responses to legislative inquiries and other financial information requests on behalf of the Strategic Initiatives division.

Plans, develops, and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and directs evaluation activities.

• Establishes priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals for Strategic Initiatives initiatives.
• Coordinates and evaluates budget and evaluations, to include developing and implementing strategic policies for Strategic Initiatives.

May participate in or oversee strategic communication efforts.

• Serves as the subject matter expert and point of contact to agency executives on key strategic initiatives related to Strategic Initiatives.
• Provides input on strategic communications that impact the agency.
• Provides direction on Strategic Initiatives strategy and execution.

Supervises the work of others.

• Leads, directs, and supervises staff, to include following established HR policy and procedures.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others.
• Participates in the employee evaluation process.
• Encourages and recommends appropriate training development and/or initiates disciplinary actions, as necessary.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities (KSAs):

Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbott Executive Order GA-48. 

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Skill in designing and facilitating strategic planning sessions, workshops, and executive-level decision-making processes.

Skill in managing complex, multi-year strategic initiatives involving multiple divisions, external stakeholders, or state agencies.

Ability to lead collaborative planning efforts and coordinate strategic activities across large, complex organizations.

Ability to translate executive direction and legislative mandates into actionable strategies and long-range plans.

Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy.

Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Eight years of progressively responsible professional experience, including:
• Five years leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects or initiatives, and
• Three years of supervisory or formal leadership experience.
• Experience in strategic planning, organizational improvement, or agency-level program management.
• Experience relevant to the functions of the Strategic Initiatives Division, such as facilitation, policy development, executive coordination, or cross-program project oversight.
• Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Additional Information:

N/A

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files. 

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.