Policy and Rules Manager

State of Washington • Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) seeks a strategic and collaborative Policy and Rules Manager to help advance our mission of protecting consumers, the public interest, and Washington's economy through fair and efficient regulation of the insurance industry. As a member of the Policy & Legislative Affairs Division leadership team, this position plays a key role in shaping and implementing the agency's legislative, policy, and rulemaking agenda. Reporting to the Division Deputy, the Policy and Rules Manager provides leadership and oversight for the agency's rulemaking activities, legislative analysis, bill drafting, fiscal notes, and policy development efforts. In this highly visible leadership role, you will supervise a team of policy analysts and support staff, ensuring high-quality policy analysis, regulatory development, and legislative support. You will serve as a subject matter expert on legislative and administrative rulemaking processes, provide strategic guidance to agency leadership, and collaborate with stakeholders across the agency and state government to advance consumer-focused policy solutions. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence statewide insurance policy, lead complex regulatory initiatives, and mentor a talented team of professionals. The ideal candidate is a skilled leader, critical thinker, and communicator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about public service, consumer protection, and effective government. This is a Civil Service Exempt position.

Requirements

• Eight (8) or more years of professional experience in a business, government, or legislative setting doing public policy research, analysis, or development.
• Intermediate level in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Three (3) years demonstrated experience supervising professional level employees.
• A degree in Public Policy/Admiration, Political Science, Energy, Environment, Climate Policy, Government, Law, Insurance Management or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation, or a foreign equivalent may be substituted for relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Active member of a state bar association.
• Master's degree or other advanced degree in law, political science, public health, public policy, and public/business/health care administration.
• Three or more years of professional experience drafting legislation or rules.
• Three or more years of professional experience reviewing and interpreting legislation, bill analysis, drafting or reviewing fiscal notes, rules, policies, technical papers, or legal documentation for likely impacts to Washingtonians and interested parties.
• Broad experience with insurance products, claims handling, insurance marketing, and insurance regulations.
• Working experience with federal and state regulatory requirements related to health insurance.
• Knowledge of and experience applying the state Administrative Procedure Act.
• Ability to apply policy analysis outcomes to greater agency and Washington state goals.
• Professional insurance designations like Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Certified Insurance Counselor, Certified Risk Manager, Accredited Advisor in Insurance, Associate in Claims, Associate in Risk Management, Certified Professional Insurance Agent, Associate in Insurance, Senior Professional in Insurance Regulation, etc.
• Project management experience.
• Supervisory experience with union/represented employees.
• Knowledge and understanding of the organizational and political climate to make decisions and take actions that satisfy diverse interests and contribute effectively to organizational goals.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with elected public officials, other state and federal agencies and industry representatives, senior and high-ranking members of government, non-government, national/international organizations, and the public.
• Advanced software skills in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the agency's rulemaking program, ensuring administrative rules are developed, reviewed, and adopted in compliance with state law and agency priorities.
• Manage and supervise a team of policy analysts and administrative support staff, providing coaching, mentorship, performance management, and professional development.
• Direct the development and implementation of the agency's legislative agenda, including bill analysis, legislative proposals, fiscal notes, amendments, testimony, and implementation planning.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on legislative and administrative rulemaking processes, providing strategic advice and guidance to agency leadership and staff.
• Review and ensure the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of policy analyses, decision memoranda, briefing materials, rulemaking documents, and legislative products.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, agency managers, legislators, stakeholders, and partner organizations to advance consumer-focused policy and regulatory initiatives.
• Lead and facilitate internal rulemaking review processes, including coordinating rule development teams and presenting recommendations to agency leadership.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, identify emerging policy issues, and provide recommendations regarding agency responses and implementation strategies.
• Establish work priorities, assign projects, and oversee workload management to ensure efficient completion of division goals and objectives.
• Promote continuous improvement, internal controls, and quality assurance practices to strengthen policy development, legislative coordination, and administrative processes.
• Support succession planning, knowledge transfer, and workforce development efforts to ensure long-term organizational effectiveness.
• Represent division leadership in meetings, committees, and agency initiatives and serve as a delegate for the Division Deputy as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave (vacation, sick, etc.) and much more!
• On-site resources and initiatives for wellness programs.
• Flexible schedules with telework opportunities.
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree