Policy Manager (Kansas area)

Council of State Governments•, KS

6d•$84,400 - $102,000•Remote

About The Position

The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center helps leaders in every state design and implement solutions for complex justice system challenges and make communities safer and healthier. We deliver trusted data, practical strategies, and cross-systems collaboration to create second chances, reduce harm, and transform lives. The Policy Manager provides project-level leadership, subject-matter guidance, and technical assistance in support of policy initiatives. Individuals in this role manage the day-to-day execution of one or more projects, contribute to the development of program strategy under the guidance of senior staff, and support the delivery of high-quality resources for policymakers, practitioners, and partners at the state, local, and Tribal levels. The Policy Manager brings strong subject-matter expertise, may supervise staff, and strengthens team culture through task direction and mentorship. This role operates with meaningful independence and is responsible for advancing project goals by building relationships with government officials and practitioners, ensuring effective day-to-day project management, and completing project activities at high degrees of accuracy, timeliness, and positive impact. The Policy Manager contributes to project-level planning, builds subject-matter credibility in their area of focus, and represents the organization externally through presentations, written products, and stakeholder engagement. At this time, the CSG Justice Center is seeking qualified candidates with familiarity in the intersection of justice, behavioral health, and housing for both adults and young people in Kansas. This role will be responsible for providing support to counties in Kansas and working with state leaders in Kansas on the Stepping Up Initiative and Stepping Up for Youth. Because this role is expected to frequently interact in person with Kansas stakeholders, candidates should be located either in Kansas or within proximity. This position is externally funded. Employment is contingent upon funding availability.

Requirements

Ability to supervise staff, clarify workloads, and develop the skills and competencies in staff's professional development goals
Ability to engage, lead, and manage project teams to successfully deliver on project goals/deliverables
Ability to solicit, facilitate and lead new project ideas from team members in support of the project's overall strategic direction with division leadership
Ability to identify and leverage other internal and external projects that advance their project priorities
Demonstrated success in developing strategic project plans that clarify project objectives, ensure alignment with organizational goals, applies the project's theory of change, and impacts the field
Demonstrated experience successfully managing large projects across multiple teams/divisions and external partners
Minimum 6 years of relevant work experience and/or equivalent educational achievements.
Familiarity in the intersection of justice, behavioral health, and housing for both adults and young people in Kansas.
Candidates should be located either in Kansas or within proximity.

Responsibilities

Manage one or more projects, including planning, budgeting, risk and contract management, collaboration with senior staff on funder updates and reports, timelines, deliverables, and staff coordination.
Contribute significantly to the development and success of assigned projects.
Solicit, facilitate, and lead new project ideas from team members in support of the project's overall strategic direction, in coordination with team leadership.
Identify and leverage internal and external opportunities that advance project priorities.
Independently identify appropriate local contacts and build support for engagement with the Stepping Up and Stepping Up for Youth TA Centers
Independently conduct calls with assigned sites to identify and address technical assistance needs, including implementation of screening and assessment to access appropriate treatment, implementation best practices in areas of subject matter expertise, and project sustainability.
Collaborate effectively with Research/Data Science staff to support data analysis for local and state sites, including collaboration on effective data collection and dashboard design.
Develop written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations, that clearly describe complex criminal justice analysis and policy options for policymakers.
Develop communications, including presentations, tools, briefs, reports, and other forms of technical assistance.
Represent the organization through project-related communications that advance understanding of policy issues.
Identify, cultivate, and steward key project stakeholders and funders to advance emerging opportunities and launch new programs.
Supervise and develop the skills of direct reports, where applicable, and provide direction for other division staff as needed.
Provide task direction and support to staff in service of project deliverables, where applicable.
Provide relevant project updates that support external relationship-building opportunities.
Identify and engage new contacts in the field, serving as formal or informal project consultants or partners.
Collaborate with partners to design or refine innovative initiatives that advance shared goals, including developing and managing contracts for consultants (in collaboration with Finance and Operations).
Participate fully in organizational project management and stakeholder engagement processes, including using contact and project management software as directed.
Contribute to organizational initiatives, internal committees, or working groups to strengthen processes, knowledge sharing, and systems.
Ensure accuracy and quality for written products, tools, and presentations produced in support of the project.
Ensure project adherence to timelines, deliverables, documentation standards, and funder requirements.
Support evaluation of project impact and contribute to refinements that enhance effectiveness.