Director 1 - Strategic Compensation, Grant Funded
Apply NowCompany: Houston Independent School District
Location: Houston, TX 77084
Description:
Location: Hattie Mae White
Department: Compensation 1
Area:Northwest
Contract Months:12
Salary Range: $130,000.00 - $155,000.00
Academic Year: 24-25
JOB SUMMARY
The Director I - Strategic Compensation plays a pivotal leadership role in advancing HISD's mission to create a high-performing, equity-driven talent system. Reporting to the Director II - Compensation, this position is responsible for designing and managing innovative, data-driven compensation strategies under the Teacher Excellence System (TES) that support HISD's commitment to rewarding excellence, retaining top talent, and driving instructional quality. As a district-based leader, the Director will work in service of schools-ensuring pay structures are sustainable, equitable, and aligned to teacher effectiveness. This role requires the ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage performance with urgency, and deliver clear, high-impact solutions in a fast-paced environment. This is a grant-funded position and includes responsibility for grant compliance, reporting, and sustainability planning.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Lead Strategic Compensation Projects
Directs cross-functional compensation initiatives aligned with TES and the district's broader HR transformation, ensuring fidelity, impact, and compliance with grant provisions.
2. Design and Manage TES Salary Structures
Leads annual salary planning and projections for TES, including performance-based pay models, budget forecasting, and integration with evaluation outcomes.
3. Drive Compensation Equity & Competitiveness
Oversees salary audits and compensation studies to ensure HISD remains a regional and statewide leader in teacher compensation and market equity.
4. Oversee Job Classification & Position Management
Manages position coding and job classification processes to ensure accuracy and alignment with HISD's compensation philosophy and policy.
5. Strengthen Data and Reporting Systems Leads the design and oversight of data tracking tools that connect evaluation results to salary decisions with precision and transparency.
6. Develop Team Capacity & Departmental Excellence
Coaches and supports Compensation team staff to build internal capacity, strengthen processes, and ensure high-quality service delivery to schools and departments.
7. Lead Continuous Data Audits & Compliance Checks
Implements robust data validation processes to maintain the integrity of compensation records and ensure alignment with all legal and district requirements.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED
9. Serve as District Representative for Strategic Compensation
Represents HISD in internal and external settings as a compensation thought leader; communicates complex pay structures clearly to diverse stakeholders.
10. Support Grant Management & Sustainability Planning
Ensures compliance with grant requirements and collaborates on long-term strategies for sustaining compensation reform beyond grant funding.
11. Provide Strategic Insights to Senior Leadership
Prepares executive-level reports and recommendations that guide HR policy, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.
12. Model High-Performance Culture & Expectations
Demonstrates reliability, professionalism, urgency, and accountability in all work; acts as a visible champion for HISD's transformation and instructional excellence.
13. Invest in Continuous Improvement
Actively seeks feedback, participates in professional learning, and applies new insights to elevate the quality and effectiveness of compensation systems.
14. Other Duties as Assigned
Completes additional responsibilities that contribute to the success of the Compensation team and Human Resources division.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; master's degree preferred.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in a leadership role, preferably within a similar industry or organization.
SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Demonstrated track record of successfully leading and managing teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation.
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and impact.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
Ability to adapt to change and lead teams through organizational transitions.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
Strong ethical standards and integrity in decision-making.
Professional certifications or memberships relevant to the industry or leadership role are desirable.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic oversight for departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district-wide.
WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.
BUDGET AUTHORITY
Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.
IMPACT OF DECISIONS
Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.
COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS
Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.
WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
Houston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer.
Department: Compensation 1
Area:Northwest
Contract Months:12
Salary Range: $130,000.00 - $155,000.00
Academic Year: 24-25
JOB SUMMARY
The Director I - Strategic Compensation plays a pivotal leadership role in advancing HISD's mission to create a high-performing, equity-driven talent system. Reporting to the Director II - Compensation, this position is responsible for designing and managing innovative, data-driven compensation strategies under the Teacher Excellence System (TES) that support HISD's commitment to rewarding excellence, retaining top talent, and driving instructional quality. As a district-based leader, the Director will work in service of schools-ensuring pay structures are sustainable, equitable, and aligned to teacher effectiveness. This role requires the ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage performance with urgency, and deliver clear, high-impact solutions in a fast-paced environment. This is a grant-funded position and includes responsibility for grant compliance, reporting, and sustainability planning.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Lead Strategic Compensation Projects
Directs cross-functional compensation initiatives aligned with TES and the district's broader HR transformation, ensuring fidelity, impact, and compliance with grant provisions.
2. Design and Manage TES Salary Structures
Leads annual salary planning and projections for TES, including performance-based pay models, budget forecasting, and integration with evaluation outcomes.
3. Drive Compensation Equity & Competitiveness
Oversees salary audits and compensation studies to ensure HISD remains a regional and statewide leader in teacher compensation and market equity.
4. Oversee Job Classification & Position Management
Manages position coding and job classification processes to ensure accuracy and alignment with HISD's compensation philosophy and policy.
5. Strengthen Data and Reporting Systems Leads the design and oversight of data tracking tools that connect evaluation results to salary decisions with precision and transparency.
6. Develop Team Capacity & Departmental Excellence
Coaches and supports Compensation team staff to build internal capacity, strengthen processes, and ensure high-quality service delivery to schools and departments.
7. Lead Continuous Data Audits & Compliance Checks
Implements robust data validation processes to maintain the integrity of compensation records and ensure alignment with all legal and district requirements.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED
9. Serve as District Representative for Strategic Compensation
Represents HISD in internal and external settings as a compensation thought leader; communicates complex pay structures clearly to diverse stakeholders.
10. Support Grant Management & Sustainability Planning
Ensures compliance with grant requirements and collaborates on long-term strategies for sustaining compensation reform beyond grant funding.
11. Provide Strategic Insights to Senior Leadership
Prepares executive-level reports and recommendations that guide HR policy, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.
12. Model High-Performance Culture & Expectations
Demonstrates reliability, professionalism, urgency, and accountability in all work; acts as a visible champion for HISD's transformation and instructional excellence.
13. Invest in Continuous Improvement
Actively seeks feedback, participates in professional learning, and applies new insights to elevate the quality and effectiveness of compensation systems.
14. Other Duties as Assigned
Completes additional responsibilities that contribute to the success of the Compensation team and Human Resources division.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; master's degree preferred.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in a leadership role, preferably within a similar industry or organization.
SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Demonstrated track record of successfully leading and managing teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation.
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and impact.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
Ability to adapt to change and lead teams through organizational transitions.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
Strong ethical standards and integrity in decision-making.
Professional certifications or memberships relevant to the industry or leadership role are desirable.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic oversight for departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district-wide.
WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.
BUDGET AUTHORITY
Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.
IMPACT OF DECISIONS
Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.
COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS
Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.
WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
- Valid Texas driver's license with applicable insurance coverage.
- Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including personal computer and peripherals
- Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
- Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
- Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
- Environment: Prolonged or irregular hours, including some weekends; frequent districtwide travel
- Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions, maintain emotional control under stress, fast-paced
Houston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer.