Manager-Advisor Legislative Policy & Research

1. Strategic Policy and Program Advisory: Serves as a trusted advisor to the City Council by synthesizing complex policy, operational, and legislative data into actionable insights. Provides objective, evidence-based recommendations that promote transparency, accountability, and alignment with citywide strategic priorities and long-term policy goals.
2. Comprehensive Program Review and Evaluation: Leads comprehensive reviews of governmental programs to benchmark and identify opportunities for improvement, increased strategic alignment, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Evaluates the necessity and impact of programming, personnel changes, and funding requests on service delivery, program sustainability, and policy objectives.
3. Legislative Research and Analysis: Analyzes proposed legislation, ordinances, and policy initiatives to assess their impact and alignment with the City's organizational goals or related programming. Prepare policy options and cost-benefit analysis to inform policymaking. Serves as an advisor during Council deliberations, providing real-time guidance on policy and programming implications.
4. Forecasting and Contingency Planning: Applies forecasting models and service trends to support long-range planning and resource prioritization. Identifies emerging pressures (i.e. increasing demand, limited resources, competing priorities, etc.) and recommends strategies to ensure structural balance and continuity of essential services.
5. Performance Measurement and Evaluation: Links programmatic decisions to service outcomes by designing and applying performance indicators that track departmental efficiency, effectiveness, and quality. Monitors departmental performance and identifies policy variances in department effort to achieve performance goals.
6. Research and Operational Analysis: Conducts research and analysis on issues affecting service capacity, quality, and productivity. Assesses the efficacy of existing programs, identifies opportunities for innovation, and supports continuous improvement through process reviews and implementation of best practices.
7. Cross-Departmental Collaboration and Innovation: Facilitates collaboration across policy and operations teams to support integrated planning and performance improvement. Works with internal stakeholders to align goals, share data, and coordinate efforts that advance strategic initiatives and citywide innovation.
8. Leadership and Team Management: Manages and supports a team of Policy Analysts, providing mentorship, technical guidance, and oversight to ensure high-quality analysis and consistent application of best practices regarding policy and research.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, urban planning or closely related field.

Preferred: Master's degree (MPA, MPP, MBA or similar)

Minimum Experience: 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research and policy analysis with 2 years' experience of conducting complex research and analysis, preferably in a policymaking environment and 2 years of supervisory or team lead experience.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience 100%. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score 70% on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Union Representation
This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. Please see the Civil Service Rules for the terms and conditions of employment.

Eligible List Statement
The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire one month after it has been established.

Interview Selection
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

1. Demonstrated expertise in public sector research and analysis, including presenting report findings to leadership and members of the public.
2. Knowledge of local and state government structures and legislative processes.
3. Strong analytical skills to evaluate how resource allocation and alignment decisions impact service delivery and long-term success across departments and citywide programs.
4. Strong data interpretation skills to interpret complex policy and operational data and identify patterns, relationships, and implications.
5. Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally, with technical and non-technical audiences. Skilled in preparing reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other materials that translate complex research and policy information into accessible formats for elected officials, stakeholders, and the public.
6. Strong organizational and project management abilities to manage multiple priorities and assignments in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
7. Demonstrates effective time management and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and stakeholder needs.
8. Ability to provide objective, evidence-based and impartial recommendation policy and data-driven recommendations to City Council and executive leadership. Skilled in weighing competing interests and using data to guide policy conversations toward practical, effective outcomes.
9. Ability to apply performance measures and program information.
10. Applies critical thinking and ethical reasoning to navigate complex organizational dynamics.
11. Demonstrates flexibility and resilience in response to changing political priorities, evolving Council direction, or organizational restructuring. Capable of quickly reorienting work to meet new challenges or mandates.
12. Maintains the highest standards of professionalism when handling confidential, controversial, or politically sensitive information. Ensures that all communications and recommendations are presented with integrity and transparency.
13. Demonstrated experience with quantitative research and policy/program analysis.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.