Policy and Government Affairs Director (Consultant Advisor 1)

State of Oregon

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you looking for a high-impact role where your leadership will influence legislation, guide strategic decisions, and deliver meaningful results? Are you passionate about building partnerships and shaping policies that create opportunities for all? If you’re ready to lead with a purpose and make a lasting impact, apply today and help us turn vision into action and advance policies that support businesses, promote employment, and strengthen Oregon’s economic future! The Policy & Government Affairs Director role is a new role that will be part of a new leadership team at Oregon Employment Department (OED). Rather than having two (OPA-4) senior legislative advisors co-leading OED’s legislative process, the team will consist of this role and one legislative, rules, and policy coordinator (OPA-2) who will provide support to the Policy & Government Affairs Director. The position will report to OED’s Chief of Staff, regularly consult with the agency Director, and be part of OED’s executive team. At OED, we actively support a workforce that is representative of the people we serve including people from various races, genders, abilities, cultures, language skills, geographic locations, and justice system involvement. We value your life experiences and encourage everyone to apply with your transferable skills and qualifications from your work, school, and volunteer experiences. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

• Seven years of executive-level policy development or foundational experience directly related to the position being recruited; OR An equivalent combination of education and experience

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated knowledge of the legislative process at the state level; and experience working with legislative bodies at all levels (local, state and federal).
• Ability to exercise considerable independent professional judgment in dealing with collaborators (legislators and their staff, business and labor groups, other state agencies) in a highly competitive and very politically-charged environment.
• Experience negotiating and advocating for legislative concepts and state agency rules.
• Demonstrated abilitly to quickly learn a wide variety of policy and program areas including workforce, benefit programs, and others that are core to the agency.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to clearly and succiently communicate complex issues to external parties
• Abililty to follow through on many workstreams under the stress of short timelines and a faced paced legislative environment.
• Demonstrated comfort with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Ability and skill in collaborating and achieving results through people who do not report to this position.
• Commitment to valuing diversity and promoting inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a comprehensive government relations program for OED, encompassing federal, state, and local legislative and liaison activities aligned with OED’s mission to support businesses and promote employment.
• Responsible for developing, directing, and implementing OED’s legislative strategies and programs at both the state and federal levels.
• Builds and maintains high-level partnerships with key stakeholders to advance state and federal policy initiatives.
• Identifies and engages cross-sector partners, brokers strategic commitments, and drives collaborative efforts to achieve OED’s strategic goals.
• Provides expert consultation that informs department goals and guides the Director’s decision-making, balancing legislative priorities, public expectations, legal requirements, and financial considerations.
• Represents the agency on legislative and interagency councils, committees, and workgroups, ensuring alignment with OED’s overall legislative strategy.
• Carries out the agency’s affirmative action, diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and responsibilities.

Benefits

• A workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment and encourages learning and mentoring.
• Rewarding work in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues who are passionate about public service.
• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!
• Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees