Contract Opportunity: Strategic Partnerships Consultant (Texas)

What We Do
At Leading Educators (LE), we know that excellent teaching is the most important driver of student success. The moment a student steps foot in the classroom, their opportunity to learn depends on how prepared their teacher is to translate complex content knowledge, standards, and their knowledge of that student into lessons that help them learn deeply and apply their thinking to the real world.

That’s a big lift, and it often happens alone. As a national nonprofit, we partner with school systems to overcome persistent instructional challenges, foster intentional collaboration and adult learning by design, and ignite new possibilities through systemic solutions at the intersection of teaching, talent, and technology.

We work shoulder-to-shoulder with educators at every level of the education system to strengthen their instructional and leadership practices, bring a vision for excellent instruction to life with consistency, and ensure every student reaches their full potential.

Through direct support, strategic advising, innovation pilots, and best-in-class research, we help educators work toward a future where every student is ready to thrive. Learn more about our work at leadingeducators.org.

Organization: Leading Educators
Location: Texas (remote, with in-state travel as needed)
Contract Dates: November 2025 – February 2026

Time Commitment: 15–20 hours per week
Compensation: $85/hour

About the Opportunity
Leading Educators is seeking a Texas-based contractor to serve as a Strategic Partnerships Consultant (Texas) supporting Phase 1: Recruitment Readiness + District Engagement and Phase 2: LIFT Implementation Support.

This role is critical to the early success of the Texas LIFT initiative, helping to establish relationships with districts, support LIFT application efforts, and coordinate initial recruitment activities. The contractor will collaborate closely with LE project leads to ensure early outreach efforts align with statewide grant opportunities and district readiness for participation.

Scope of Work
Phase 1: Recruitment Readiness + District Engagement & LASO Cycle 4 Application Support (Nov 2025–Feb 2026)

• Develop and execute a recruitment strategy and outreach plan tailored to Texas districts.
• Create recruitment session slide decks and talking points.
• Adapt LIFT overview materials for the Texas context.
• Maintain a weekly outreach tracker (districts contacted, responses, next steps).
• Conduct preview sessions with district leaders.
• Provide LASO application support (within LIFT, SI PLC, and SI CISG grants) for targeted districts.
• Produce a summary report highlighting outreach outcomes and recommendations.
  

Phase 2: LIFT Lead Implementation Support (Jan–Feb 2026)

• Participate in LIFT Lead training sessions and synthesize learnings for the internal team.
• Support coordination and communication between internal teams and district partners.
• Continue targeted district outreach to strengthen engagement and recruitment.

Deliverables

• Recruitment session materials and outreach tracker.
• District preview session documentation.
• LASO application support summaries.
• LIFT training reflections and internal resource alignment.
• Final summary report of district engagement outcomes and next steps.

Compensation and Time Allocation
Facilitator Rate: $85/hour | 15-20 hours a week

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• Deep understanding of Texas education systems, frameworks, and district-level operations.
• Demonstrated experience with LASO (or similar grant programs) and grant funding in Texas.
• Proven experience in district-level advising or consulting, particularly with academic or instructional teams.
• Established relationships or ability to build connections with district leaders, associate superintendents, and academics offices.
• Skilled in outreach and partnership development 
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliverables independently.
• Based in Texas and available for limited in-state travel.