Agency Policy & Strategy Lead (EMS 1)

Full Job Description

Agency Policy & Strategy Lead (EMS 1)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

This position works collaboratively with agency leaders across all divisions to ensure agency policies align with organizational goals and compliance requirements.

The position partners closely with HR, Communications, Innovation and Technology Division (ITD), the Financial Services Division (FSD), and the Compliance and Contracts Division (CCD) to ensure effective implementation, training, and agency-wide awareness of new or revised agency policies. Additionally, this position is a member of Commerce’s Policy Core Team which is responsible for the development, review, and coordination of agency policies, ensuring effective and efficient internal agency operations.

The Agency Policy & Strategy Lead is responsible for the seamless coordination and execution of strategic initiatives, administration-wide operations, agency policy development, and performance management efforts. This position plays a crucial role in facilitating communication, project tracking, and operation efficiency across the agency’s administrations.

This position is also responsible for leading, drafting and implementing agency-wide policy and strategic initiatives. This position manages agency policies from drafting and review to implementation and tracking, while ensuring compliance with RCW, WAC, and internal governance standards with final approval reserved for the Director or designee. The role oversees on-going strategic planning efforts, facilitates cross-divisional collaboration, and ensures agency-wide communication and training for policy implementation.

This position will be based either in our Seattle or Olympia offices.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required Education and/or Experience:
Five years of professional administrative executive-level and project management experience working in the government, public administration, business administration, organizational management or related field.
OR
Associate's degree and three years of professional administrative executive-level and project management experience working in the government, public administration, business administration, organizational management or related field.
OR
A bachelor's degree and one year of professional administrative executive-level and project management experience working in the government, public administration, business administration, organizational management or related field.

Examples of experience include:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to support policy development and operational improvements.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
• Experience handling confidential information with a high level of discretion and integrity.
• Experience in policy development, strategic planning, project management or related areas.
• Advanced Knowledge of RCW/WAC compliance and governance.
• Expertise in project management and process improvement methodologies.

Required Position Competencies:
• Ability to interpret state and federal complex laws, rules and regulations.
• Ability to establish measurable objects, key performance indicators and create clear action plans.
• Ability to translate strategies into actionable steps, create timelines, and define, implement and evaluate initiatives.
• Ability to assess the long-term impact, risks, and alignment of agency policies with organizational goals and public interest.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in policy and strategic matters.
• Ability to lead a team of multidisciplinary agency stakeholders, staff, and subject matter experts.

Preferred/Desired Education and Experience:• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, organizational management or related field.• Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) or Certified Diversity Executive (CDE).• Knowledge of state and federal legislative and budget management.• Experience of principles of legislative and rule-making processes.• Knowledge of statutory authority, administrative operations, and organizational structure.• Experience in tactical, strategic planning, and quality improvement initiatives.

To be considered for this position, the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

This position will be based either in our Seattle or Olympia offices.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.