Deputy Policy Director

Salary: $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: GOVELECT_DEPPOLDIR_ESW11.12.26
Department: Office of the Governor
Opening Date: 11/12/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 200 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Type of Announcement: This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply: Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.
Department Contact Information: [redacted] TO APPLY: Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date.

Department Information

The Office of the Governor oversees the operation of the executive branch of state government, including the coordination, direction, and planning of agency operations. The Office of the Governor's staff includes budgeting, communications and outreach, legal counsel, legislative liaison, operations, policy and research, and scheduling.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple Deputy Policy Director positions.

Assigned policy portfolios will be determined based on each hire's professional experience and policy expertise.
Description of Job
Department: Office of the Governor
Position Title: Deputy Policy Director
Summary of Functions: The Deputy Policy Director provides strategic policy and legislative analysis and recommendations, project management, press guidance, and general policy support for the Governor's agenda. Each advisor's portfolio is assigned based on the needs of the office and the specific advisor's experience and expertise. The advisor maintains policy expertise on the Governor's priorities in that portfolio, develops strategies, and is prepared to brief and advise the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and other administration officials on all the issue areas in the portfolio. Note that this posting may be used to fill multiple Deputy Policy Director positions and assigned policy portfolios will be determined based on each hire's professional experience and policy expertise.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Director of Policy in leading the Policy Office and providing management and mentorship to policy advisors
• Maintain policy expertise on the Governor's priorities within the assigned portfolio, and develop strategies to advance them
• Brief and advise the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and other administration officials on all the issue areas in the portfolio
• Coordinate this work as needed with other policy advisors, with the communications, budget, legal, and legislative teams in the Governor's Office, and with the appropriate state agencies
• Work closely with the Governor's legislative team to review pending legislation and advise on bills to sign or veto
• Identify and assess the role of specific policy initiatives and goals in the context of a broad agenda
• Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders and constituencies throughout the state to inform this work
• Coordinate policy development across agencies and stakeholders to align resources and connect programs that address the state's challenges
• Serve as an external representative of the Governor's Office in forums, public engagement opportunities, and formal organizations
• Assimilate and synthesize complex information and research into concise, relevant, logical, and organized formats for analysis and discussion

Organizational Relationships: Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Chief of Staff; Deputy Chief of Staff; Chief Communications Officer; Administrative Director; Office of Policy and Initiatives; Chief Legal Counsel; Office of Legislative Affairs; Office of Boards and Commissions

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Preferred Education/Experience:

• Public policy research, analysis, and development skills, as demonstrated by professional or academic experience
• Six or more years of experience in public policy analysis
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, advanced interpersonal skills, and the ability to learn and assimilate information quickly
• Well-developed decision-making, research, analytical, and project management skills, and the ability to multitask and function effectively in a complex professional environment
• Familiarity with governmental and legislative processes
• A high degree of professionalism and confidentiality, strong organizational skills, and demonstrated adherence to deadlines while adapting to changing priorities
• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests

Preferred Qualifications

• A well-developed familiarity with Colorado policy issues and demographics
• Experience working with local, state, and federal legislative and governing bodies, with familiarity with Colorado state agency functions and state legislative processes
• Experience communicating with diverse public, philanthropic, and private stakeholders

Conditions of Employment: Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed

Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date.

A resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.
Benefits

The State of Colorado offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.