Executive Director

About the Organization

The Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. (TASB) is a voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan, statewide educational association established in 1949 to serve local Texas school boards - the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state with more than 7,000 school board trustees.


As the largest school board association in the country, TASB serves local public-school boards and its members by providing:

• Advocacy - Speaking as a unified voice to decision makers and monitoring legislative actions to help ensure Texas public schoolchildren are successful and that districts have the resources they need.
• Information - Advising on legal changes, educational trends, and best practices in local governance.
• Training - Providing training for school board members to strengthen leadership and governance skills and advance excellent student outcomes.
• Services and Products - Offering training, resources, and consultation to minimize the burden of government and help boards keep resources in the classroom.

For decades, nearly all school boards in Texas have been active members of TASB, giving us the opportunity to coalesce and amplify school trustees' voices across the state. TASB's longstanding membership rate is the result of keeping the needs of school boards - and their districts - at the heart of everything the association does.


TASB also offers Active Membership to education service center boards, Associate and Affiliate Membership opportunities for community colleges, central appraisal districts, and some public-school charters. At TASB, you'll find strength in numbers, knowing there's a shared commitment to ensuring a brighter future for Texas through stronger schools and communities.


Why Texas Association of School Boards

Since its inception in 1949, TASB has supported local district leadership teams and improved the quality of education for Texas schoolchildren. The Executive Director of TASB serves as the leader responsible for collaborating with the TASB Board of Directors to establish and implement its strategic vision, positioning the organization as a recognized leader in public education and school board governance.


Over its more than 75-year history, TASB has grown alongside Texas to meet the evolving needs of the school boards it serves. Today, 500 employees work together to promote educational excellence for Texas public schoolchildren and provide high-quality services and solutions that help over 1,000 school districts operate more efficiently and effectively.


As a mission-driven organization, TASB is committed to putting people first and empowering local school district leaders with resources and programs that are adaptable and responsive to member needs.


Our culture is reflected in TASB Together, which guides the way we work and encourages employees to grow and become their best selves in alignment with our TASB mission:


The Texas Association of School Boards promotes educational excellence for Texas schoolchildren through the advancement of good governance, valuable learning experiences for school leaders, and public-school advocacy. We also provide high-quality services and programs to help school districts operate more efficiently and effectively.


Overseeing the work of this talented team, the Executive Director will champion public education while driving innovation so that TASB can continue to serve its members across the state.

Key Responsibilities & Role Overview

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of TASB, working in close partnership with a 42-member Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term vision. Leading a highly complex enterprise that spans multiple business lines, affiliated entities, and governance structures, the Executive Director ensures TASB remains a trusted, influential, and non-partisan voice for Texas public education.


TASB's breadth of impact is reflected in its comprehensive portfolio of member-focused solutions, including advocacy, governance leadership, risk management, policy and legal guidance, financial and operational services, cooperative purchasing, executive search, and thought leadership resources that collectively support school districts statewide.

Overseeing a talented workforce and an organization approaching $110 million in annual revenue, the Executive Director balances mission-driven leadership with strong business acumen, operational rigor, and strategic foresight. This leader will guide TASB through an increasingly dynamic and politically visible environment, fostering innovation, strengthening member value, and positioning the organization for continued growth and impact. The successful candidate will be a politically astute, relationship-oriented executive capable of navigating complexity, inspiring confidence among diverse stakeholders, and advancing TASB's leadership on behalf of Texas school boards and the students they serve.


Specific Responsibilities Include:


Strategic & Enterprise Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of TASB's strategic plan, driving alignment across the organization's diverse business units, affiliated entities, and service offerings.

• Guide the implementation of TASB Next and other enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen member value, organizational impact, and long-term sustainability.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to a complex, multi-line enterprise encompassing advocacy, governance services, risk management, purchasing cooperatives, financial and legal services, executive search, publications, and other member-focused solutions.

• Anticipate and respond to emerging trends, legislative developments, and shifting market dynamics, positioning TASB for continued relevance, growth, and innovation.

• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture that attracts, develops, and retains exceptional talent while reinforcing the organization's strong mission-driven values.

Business Operations & Organizational Performance

• Provide executive oversight of TASB's diverse portfolio of operating entities, affiliated enterprises, and revenue-generating business lines.

• Ensure sound financial stewardship, operational excellence, and effective risk management across the organization.

• Partner with organizational leaders to identify opportunities to enhance member value, expand services, strengthen market position, and drive sustainable growth.

• Balance TASB's public-service mission with the operational rigor required to successfully lead a sophisticated and multifaceted enterprise.

• Lead enterprise-wide planning and succession efforts, ensuring leadership continuity, talent development, and effective knowledge transfer.

Board Relations, Advocacy & External Leadership

• Partner closely with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance, informed decision-making, and organizational accountability.

• Serve as TASB's chief external representative, engaging members, policymakers, education leaders, and key stakeholders to advance the organization's mission and priorities.

• Strengthen and sustain TASB's reputation as a trusted, nonpartisan voice for public education and local school governance throughout Texas.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with legislators, regulatory agencies, school districts, and other influential stakeholders.

• Lead the organization through an increasingly complex political and legislative landscape, maintaining credibility and trust across a diverse membership base.

• Champion a culture of transparency, communication, and engagement, ensuring stakeholders and employees remain informed, connected, and aligned with TASB's strategic direction.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership of complex, multi-entity organizations with diverse business lines, governance structures, and revenue streams.

• Strong business and financial acumen, with experience driving strategy, overseeing large-scale operations, and enabling sustainable growth.

• Deep understanding of public education and school governance, with knowledge of the Texas landscape and the challenges facing K-12 systems and community colleges.

• Political acumen and legislative awareness, with the ability to operate credibly and in a nonpartisan manner in a highly visible, policy-driven environment.

• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with a track record of engaging diverse stakeholders, including boards, policymakers, educators, and community leaders.

• Skilled communicator and external representative, able to serve as a compelling spokesperson in complex and high-stakes settings.

• Strategic, forward-thinking leader who anticipates trends, navigates ambiguity, and positions organizations for long-term success.

• High emotional intelligence and sound judgment, with the ability to build consensus, balance competing priorities, and foster collaboration.

• Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing teams, with a commitment to talent development, culture, and organizational effectiveness.

• Visible, accessible, and authentic leadership style, particularly during periods of change or crisis.

• Unquestionable integrity and ethical leadership, with a strong commitment to transparency and accountability.

Education

Bachelor's degree required. A relevant Master's or advanced degree is a plus.


Compensation

A competitive compensation package will be offered, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and the scale and complexity of the role.


Korn Ferry Contacts :

• Susan Willett, Project Coordinator - View email address on click.appcast.io
• Becky Graham, Principal - View email address on click.appcast.io
• Charlie Ingersoll, Sr. Client Partner - View email address on click.appcast.io

Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.