Manager of Policy and Strategic Projects

City and County of Denver•Denver, CO

8d•$86,634 - $142,947•Hybrid

About The Position

Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) serves to support Denver’s businesses, employers, and workforce, creating shared prosperity and sustained economic growth. DEDO has sharpened its focus and enhanced alignment across divisions, ensuring its work is centered on the premise that quality jobs are the most powerful tool to create better outcomes for Denverites. DEDO accomplishes this by making Denver a place that is easy to do business with, fostering job creation, and building an economy that works for everyone. DEDO helps residents gain the skills, training, and credentials needed to secure quality jobs while also supporting, growing, and recruiting local employers. DEDO’s work aligns with city priorities including the Vibrant Denver and Family-Friendly initiatives: Growing, strengthening, and supporting Denver’s small businesses; Revitalizing and investing in Denver’s downtown economy; Ensuring Denver residents have access to high-quality jobs as well as training and development opportunities; Making it easier to do business with and in the City and County of Denver; Supporting economic growth while implementing anti-displacement strategies; Fostering and supporting a dynamic innovation and entrepreneurial sector; Recruiting employers from outside markets. DEDO’s Executive Office is dedicated to advancing operational effectiveness and customer service, advancing its programs and initiatives, and creating an economy the works for everyone. Key activities include supporting DEDO’s three operating divisions in achieving their missions, establishing DEDO’s goals, objectives, and performance/forecasting metrics; establishing, monitoring, and enforcing allocated budget; policy development and direction; and communications, including community outreach. We are seeking an experienced and government-relationship-building professional to serve as Manager of Policy and Strategic Projects. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Manager of Policy and Strategic Projects will play an instrumental role at DEDO and represent the City and County of Denver, working closely with City Council and Denver’s neighborhood districts. As the Manager of Policy and Strategic Projects you will be responsible for representing DEDO, and oftentimes its executive leadership, regarding legislative affairs and community engagement. A successful candidate will be able to quickly and seamlessly engage with and create positive relationships across City Council, agencies, and with key stakeholders ensuring that messaging and communications aligns with DEDO priorities and overall communication strategies. This role navigates complex subject matter to achieve DEDO’s priorities ensuring the agency is following all requirements and protocols, including federal and state regulations, Denver Revised Municipal Code and fiscal rules, and Departmental policies and procedures.

Requirements

At least 5 years of progressive experience working in legislative affairs, communications, and community engagement.
Passion for building community and a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Ability to manage multiple processes simultaneously, with thorough attention to detail.
Ability to navigate and synthesize complex subject matter and execute associated written and verbal communications. Adept at creating relationships across departments and organizations with a variety of stakeholders.
Strong working knowledge of local government and regional collaborative efforts.
Experience with assisting in resolving conflicts and answering questions related to legislative matters.
Developed regular and timely communications to key Department leadership and stakeholders on legislative issues
Demonstrated ability to develop proactive messaging in coordination with the communications team on significant or sensitive legislative issues
Experience with data coordination from subject matter experts and develop messaging to address City Council requests for information
Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s).
Five (5) years’ experience performing full performance professional level duties within a specialized, functional area. (This does not include clerical experience.)
One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

Responsibilities

Support executive management and DEDO staff with City Council activity, including briefings, correspondence, training, and coaching.
Attend weekly City Council committee and regular meetings for which DEDO has any agenda items, and coordinates with other DEDO staff who need to be present. Take notes and coordinates any necessary follow up.
Present on behalf of DEDO about our legislative requests and priorities, including to community groups, other governmental entities, business organizations, and as part of DEDO’s annual strategic planning and budgeting processes.
Track DEDO’s policies and convene internal stakeholders to discuss policy changes and recommendations. Track and provide feedback on local, state, and federal policy and legislation that is relevant to DEDO’s work. Anticipate challenges/obstacles our business community and agency could face as policy landscape evolves.
Coordinate the department’s resolution and ordinance requests through City Council, in close coordination with DEDO executive leadership, legislative staff from the Mayor’s Office, and City Council central office. This includes working with DEDO staff to track upcoming requests, training program staff in the drafting of legislative requests and reviewing them, scheduling committee and other meeting dates, drafting presentations with program staff, preparing staff for presentations, and fulfilling related requests from Council for information.
Project manage high profile initiatives, both short and long-term by creating and leading detailed workplans. Serve as the lead project manager for the Executive Office, supporting various initiatives or policy analysis work to prioritize programming and support the Agency’s direction.
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment between business priorities and policy goals. Help develop strategies to share information internally and with external partners about ongoing and potential activities with DEDO.
Help manage and coordinate external affairs and strategic projects in concert with business objectives. Tracks DEDO’s community engagement efforts and coordinating across divisions to integrate the voice of the community into the work of the Department and supports ongoing projects as needed in alignment with DEDO priorities.

Benefits

Competitive pay
Great benefits
A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
457B Retirement Plan
140 hours of PTO earned within first year
12 paid holidays
1 personal holiday
1 Wellness Day
1 volunteer day per year
Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date