Policy Manager (Council Aide)

City of Portland•1221 SW 4th Ave, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Policy Manager serves as the office’s lead on policy development, legislative strategy, and committee coordination. This role has two main functions: (1) developing and advancing the Councilor’s policy agenda across a wide range of issues, and; (2) managing the Councilor’s responsibilities as Chair of the City Life Committee, including policy coordination and committee operations. The Policy Manager is responsible for moving policy through the legislative process from concept through passage, conducting research and stakeholder engagement, and advising on strategy, amendments, and final votes. The role requires a high level of strategic judgment, political awareness, and the ability to operate across multiple issue areas simultaneously. The Policy Manager also monitors and evaluates policy moving through Council and committees including committees the Councilor does not sit on, providing strategic recommendations, preparing the Councilor for meetings and votes, and ensuring alignment with the Councilor’s priorities and values. As support staff for the City Life Committee, the Policy Manager will assist on a large committee portfolio, with issues including economic development, tourism, and sports; music, arts, and culture; recreational programing within Portland Parks; external investments in internships, apprenticeship, and job training programs; workplace and labor protections; community development; equity and human rights; climate change prevention and mitigation; sustainability; and community resilience. The Policy Manager will report to the Chief of Staff and Councilor and will work collaboratively on a wide range of projects with all members of staff to support the needs of the office.

Requirements

Ability to track, analyze, and evaluate legislation and policy proposals across multiple issue areas, and translate findings into clear guidance for policy action.
Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to produce clear and persuasive policy memos, legislative drafts, briefing materials, and other public-facing documents under tight deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound political judgment and strategic thinking, including assessing stakeholder positions, anticipating risks, and advising on policy and legislative strategy.
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative, proactively identifying opportunities, solving problems, and advancing work without close supervision.
Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism, with the ability to represent the Councilor effectively in meetings with City bureaus, community stakeholders, advocacy groups, and other elected offices.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in local government, legislative offices, or closely related public sector environments, particularly in a policy advisory or legislative role.
Experience preparing elected officials or senior leaders for meetings, hearings, and public engagement, including development of briefing materials, talking points, and speeches.
Familiarity with the City of Portland’s form of government, bureaus, and key policy issues, including economic development, housing, labor, public safety, or community development.
Experience staffing or managing legislative committees, including agenda-setting, stakeholder coordination, and meeting preparation.
Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating amendments and working through complex legislative processes.
Background in one or more City Life Committee issue areas (e.g., economic development, workforce, arts and culture, parks and recreation, or climate resilience).
Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups, including community-based organizations, labor unions, business leaders, and advocacy organizations.
Experience analyzing budgets, program performance, or financial impacts related to policy proposals.
Familiarity with Oregon state policy landscape and the interplay between local and state government.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of the Councilor’s policy agenda across a broad portfolio, including economic development, labor and workforce, public safety, transportation, climate resilience, and community development.
Manage the office’s policy through the full legislative lifecycle, from early concept development and stakeholder engagement to drafting, negotiation, passage, and implementation.
Draft ordinances, resolutions, amendments, policy memos, and other legislative materials.
Develop policy strategies and advise on timing, coalition-building, and other political considerations.
Represent the Councilor in policy development spaces, including meetings with bureaus, community organizations, industry stakeholders, and other elected offices.
Serve as the primary advisor on all policies moving through City Council, and advise on votes, amendments, and overall legislative strategy.
Staff the Councilor in meetings related to policy development or evaluation.
Track legislation across committees and provide regular report-outs, summaries, and strategic recommendations.
Analyze proposals from other Council offices and bureaus, identifying impacts, risks, and alignment with the Councilor’s priorities.
Track relevant local, state, and federal developments and assess implications for the Councilor’s agenda, as needed.
Provide administrative and logistical support for the Councilor in her role as Chair of the City Life Committee.
Set committee agendas in coordination with Council leadership, bureaus, and stakeholders.
Coordinate with presenting bureaus and partners to prepare materials and ensure effective, organized committee meetings.
Prepare comprehensive briefing materials and provide real-time policy support during committee meetings.
Track committee outcomes and ensure follow-up on directives, questions, and policy action items.
Prepare detailed briefing binders for Council and committee meetings, including policy summaries, talking points, stakeholder positions, and recommended actions.
Prepare and negotiate amendments in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including City bureaus, community-based organizations, labor groups, and industry representatives.
Convene and facilitate stakeholder discussions to inform policy development and implementation, as needed.
Represent the Councilor at meetings, events, and policy discussions, as needed.
Attend in-district office hours in collaboration with the Outreach and Engagement Advisor on a monthly basis.