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Director of Policy and Research (internal candidates only)

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Director of Policy and Research (internal candidates only)

Salary

$128,000.00 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

EAA_DIRPOLICY_ESW12.22.25

Department

Office of the Governor

Opening Date

12/22/2025

Closing Date

12/25/2025 1:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

200 East Colfax Blvd, Denver, CO 80203

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

[email protected]

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

+ Description

+ Benefits

Department Information

Please Note - Pursuant to Executive Order D 2025 009 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kx5-WNwRYMD7K33lJQEQaSm6RsMUBb0X/view) , a hiring freeze is in effect for positions with start dates in 2025. The intended start date for this role is after January 1, 2026.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. The Governor's staff includes offices for budgeting, communications and outreach, legal counsel, legislative liaison, operations, policy and research, and scheduling.

Description of Job

Internal Opportunity

This announcement is open only to eligible individuals currently employed within the Office of the Governor, currently working within the Department of Policy and Research. The announcement is for transparency purposes only to comply with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Only applications from eligible individuals currently employed within the Department of Policy and Research will be accepted.

Position Title: Director of Policy and Research

Department: Policy and Research

Salary: $128,000

FLSA Classification : Exempt

Organizational Relationships: This position reports to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Legislative Affairs and is part of the Governor’s Office and Senior Leadership teams. This position supervises the Governor’s Policy and Research Team.

Expected Annual Travel: Occasional in and out of state travel

Please Note - Pursuant to Executive Order D 2025 009 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kx5-WNwRYMD7K33lJQEQaSm6RsMUBb0X/view) , a hiring freeze is in effect for positions with start dates in 2025. The intended start date for this role is after January 1, 2026.

Summary of Functions: The Director of Policy and Research is a member of Governor Polis' Senior Staff and reports directly to the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Legislative Affairs . The position oversees and manages the Governors’ Policy and Research Team that provides him with strategic policy and legislative analysis and recommendations, project management, press guidance and general policy support for the Governor's agenda. The position also works with the rest of the Senior Staff to help set policy strategies for the office, assists with implementing the office's and agencies’ legislative agenda, directly advises the Governor on legislation and general policy matters, helps coordinate the office's policy work with the work of other departments of the Governor's Office (budget, communications, community engagement, legal, legislative, operations and scheduling), and coordinates with cabinet agencies. From time-to-time, the Director of Policy and Research will also take on specific policy assignments.

This position requires strategic thinking and a background as a policy generalist with significant experience in public policy work, having familiarity with the Colorado state budget and legislative process. Required for this position is effective communication and a comfort with interacting with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected officials, cabinet members and other high-performing individuals. This position requires demonstrated success at supervising teams and someone who will enjoy mentoring team members. The incumbent will be capable of providing strategic and tactical guidance, setting priorities in a fast-paced professional environment, managing work on a broad range of projects, providing structure to an office dealing with diverse challenges, and helping staff members navigate complex issues and systems; they will prioritize being available to serve as a thought partner to individual analysts and members of the senior staff, and know how to empower team members to succeed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

+ Hire and supervise diverse policy staff to provide quality counsel to the Governor, achieve the goals of the office, and advance the Governor's policy agenda.

+ Mentor and assist policy staff to maximize effectiveness and ensure professional growth.

+ Directly advise the Governor, Lt. Governor and Senior Staff on general policy matters or on discrete projects of unique importance.

+ Work in collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Legislative Affairs , the Legislative Director, and other members of the Governor's Senior Staff on strategies to achieve the Governor's agenda.

+ Support the Office of State Planning and Budgeting in developing the Governor’s annual budget request.

+ Coordinate with Cabinet members and key agency staff on high priority issues and matters that involve multiple agencies and jurisdictions.

+ Engage external stakeholders as appropriate to inform and support policy and the Governor's strategic agenda.

+ Assist with scheduling and help review office communications, including talking points, speeches, and memos, to ensure consistency and maximize strategic opportunities.

Skills and Competencies:

+ Adept policy analyst and advisor as demonstrated by extensive experience successfully advising elected or appointed officials on complex or difficult policy issues.

+ Sound strategic thinker who is familiar with the public sector, preferably at the state level.

+ Sound evidence-based perspective that effectively integrates demographic and economic data into analysis and planning.

+ Familiarity with Colorado and understanding of issues unique to this state.

+ Effective manager capable of directing a large team.

+ Supportive and empowering leader who enjoys working with others and has demonstrated success mentoring and helping team members navigate difficult challenges.

+ Ability to provide effective structure and operational support in a complex environment without micromanaging or adding unnecessary layers of review.

+ Innovative thought partner capable of finding innovative solutions to organizational challenges and empowering team members to do the same.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education/Experience:

+ 5 years work related experience.

+ Detail oriented and organized with the ability to work in a fast paced environment.

+ Adept policy analyst and advisor as demonstrated by extensive experience successfully advising elected or appointed officials on complex or difficult policy issues.

+ Sound strategic thinker who is familiar with the public sector, preferably at the state level.

+ Familiarity with Colorado and understanding of issues unique to this state.

+ Effective manager capable of directing a large team.

+ Supportive and empowering leader who enjoys working with others and has demonstrated success mentoring and helping team members navigate difficult challenges.

+ Ability to provide effective structure and operational support in a complex environment without micro-managing or adding unnecessary layers of review.

+ Innovative thought partner capable of finding innovative solutions to organizational challenges and empowering team members to do the same.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields helpful.

Conditions of Employment:

Only applications from eligible individuals currently employed within the Governor’s Office, Department of Policy and Research will be accepted.

Supplemental Information

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including:

+ Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)

+ Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)

+ 12 paid holidays per year

+ Medical and dental plans

+ State paid life insurance policy of $50,000

+ Choice of 2 retirement plans

+ 401K and 457 plans

+ State paid Short Term Disability coverage

+ Additional optional life and disability plans

+ Credit Union Membership

+ RTD pass

+ Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits .

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Director of Human Resources) [email protected].

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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