Good work starts with good people. We’re looking for passionate, talented people to join our team.

The Holdsworth Center seeks a Chief Operating Officer who believes in the promise of public schools to deliver excellent and equitable results for students, and who believes their unique skills and inner purpose would be a great match for Holdsworth’s mission, culture, and values.

Our organization & mission

Driven by the belief that teachers and students thrive with great leadership, The Holdsworth Center builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools. Founded as a nonprofit in 2017 by H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt, Holdsworth provides world-class leadership development programs and services within districts and at its Campus on Lake Austin, a one-of-a-kind place dedicated to the idea that public education holds worth.

Our founder Charles Butt believes educators deserve rigorous professional learning in a world-class setting and envisioned the Campus as a gift to hardworking educators and a testament to the importance of public schools. The serene and peaceful setting allows teams of educators to step back from the day-to-day and see their challenges and opportunities more clearly.

Our work

Leadership is not a skill people are born with—it can be taught. That’s why we offer world-class leadership programs, coaching and other services unparalleled in the education field. In our programs, superintendents, principals, teachers and other educational leaders engage with some of the nation’s top experts in their fields from a variety of sectors, including preK-12 and higher education, government and business.

In some of our partner districts, we embed Holdsworth consultants to work hand-in-hand with central office leaders to define what great leadership looks like and help them build custom solutions to identify and develop future campus leaders, place them in leadership roles, and support them as they progress in their leadership journey.

Our culture & values

We have three core values at Holdsworth: Drive for Excellence & Equity, Be of Service and Believe in People. Our values flow from the vision and beliefs of our founder, Charles Butt, and guide our daily words and actions, bringing meaning to the work we do.

Purpose & Responsibilities

We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer who shares a deep commitment to our mission and whose experience and vision will deepen our capacity and enhance our impact as we work to serve the 5.5M students educated in public school districts across the state of Texas.

You will work in close partnership with the President and alongside talented, mission driven peers in a fast paced, dynamic environment to:

• Drive long-term organizational strategy and planning processes.
• Lead the execution of 2-3 cross-functional priorities each year. In the short-term, priorities are likely to include a significant emphasis on how to leverage technology to advance the organization’s mission. Convene stakeholders, facilitate decision-making and change processes, and monitor and drive execution.
• Support the President in building new and stewarding existing relationships with external stakeholders (fundraising, partnerships, brand-building).
• Serve as an officer of the organization and as the staff liaison to the Board. Support the development of board agendas and ongoing board engagement.
• Provide strategic counsel and recommendations to the President and other members of senior leadership. Work in close partnership with the President in order to be able to serve as her proxy in designated scenarios/areas.
• Manage teams directly or indirectly to ensure the attainment of organizational goals.

Strong candidates will have a range of prior experience, capabilities, and attributes, including:

• Strong alignment with our organizational values—Drive for Excellence & Equity, Be of Service, Believe in People
• Thrives leading change and building systems in an early-stage, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated skill formulating strategy and driving execution of strategic priorities or operational plans.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate relationships at all levels (internal and external), including experience working with governing boards.
• Forward thinking about technology. Experience with Salesforce, Learning Management Systems, and knowledge management a plus.
• Learns quickly, is open to feedback, and actively looks for and embraces opportunities to improve—individually and collectively/systemically
• Strong project management and process improvement orientation.
• Positive, enthusiastic approach to work
• Builds, manages and leads high achieving teams
• 10-15 years of progressively responsible experience.
• Master’s or Doctoral degree is a plus, but not required.
• Experience in a non-profit organization is a plus, but not required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation for the role will depend on several factors, including but not limited, to your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. The Holdsworth Center also factors internal pay equity in evaluating compensation.
• This position is eligible to participate in company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short-term and long-term disability coverage, four-weeks of paid time off annually, employee assistance program, participation in a 401k program that includes a company match, and many other additional benefits.

Location

• Austin, TX at the Campus on Lake Austin

How to apply

Interested candidates should click here to submit a current resume and cover letter, detailing your interest in this position and how your experience will contribute to the work of The Holdsworth Center. Letters of interest will be received until April 12, 2024. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

We will contact those candidates who most closely match the requirements. We thank you in advance for your interest.

The Holdsworth Center is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. All employment decisions are based on job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.