Senior Policy Analyst

Are you passionate about policy development and process improvement? Do you see the natural connections between strategy, compliance, and communications? Are you looking to support initiatives that enhance the lives of current and prospective City of Raleigh employees?

Join the City of Raleigh’s Human Resources Department as our new Senior Policy Analyst. This role supports both city-wide and HR-specific policy development, process improvement, and strategic initiatives. Reporting to the HR Business Manager and working closely with senior leadership across the City, this position plays a key role in leading and supporting policy development, process improvement, and administrative responsibilities integral to HR operations.

We are seeking a team member who will use their creativity, critical thinking, strong interpersonal skills, along with their passion for continuous process improvement, to develop Raleigh’s policies that positively impact the City’s diverse workforce. A successful Senior Policy Analyst will have a demonstrated track record of working with stakeholders to analyze underlying business problems, identifying solutions, and implementing select approaches across multiple functions. This person will strive to enhance transparency throughout the organization by helping to shape written communications. They will also use their research and data analysis skills to offer strategic insights that help advance the HR’s service delivery.

This position may be eligible for the City’s Telework Program. This program allows for the ability to work from home approximately two days during the workweek; however, candidates must be flexible to work in the office for required in-person meetings and events. 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Policy Analysis & Development

• Draft clear, compliant policies and standard operating procedures that align with organizational goals and standards.
• Evaluate existing citywide policies for clarity, compliance, and alignment with internal and external regulations.
• Identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement policies using best practices, stakeholder input, and data-driven insights.
• Ensure policies enhance operational efficiency, mitigate risk, and promote fairness.
• Design standardized templates to streamline policy creation and ensure consistency.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Collaborate with departments and leadership to build consensus on critical policies.
• Facilitate group discussions and policy work teams across the City.
• Translate complex policy language into clear, accessible communications.
• Serve as a liaison for HR in ServiceNow, DocTract, and other platforms.

Process Improvement & Program Delivery

• Lead process improvement initiatives across HR and city-wide functions.
• Support survey design, data analysis, and insight dissemination.
• Manage special projects and contribute to HR’s business planning and budgeting.
• Provide project management for the various projects and process improvements.
• Assist with public records requests and ensure legal compliance.

Data & Reporting

• Use performance metrics to identify trends and support decision-making.
• Document processes, policies, and project plans for transparency and accountability.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Public Policy or Public Administration 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification 
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, or IPMA-SCP certification 
• Experience with municipal administration or HR program evaluation 
• Proficiency in Doctract, PeopleSoft, ServiceNow, and PowerBI

Knowledge of:

• Policy development, implementation, and evaluation best practices
• HR operations and public sector administration
• Project management and organizational transformation
• Principles and methods for developing, scheduling, coordinating and managing projects
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research
• Employment laws and their impact on policies and procedures
• Facilitation techniques and methods in leading group discussions, brainstorming, and engaging participants

Skill in:

• Documenting processes, guides, policies, procedures, and project plans
• Overseeing the implementation and adherence to quality assurance and standards
• Analyzing administrative and organizational problems, and preparing well-informed and objective recommendations 
• Developing written and verbal communication, including storytelling and facilitation 
• Working in and leading cross-functional teams in a complex multi-faceted organization
• Using performance metrics and data to identify areas for improvement and facilitate solutions
• Leading organizational transformation and program delivery, changing how an organization works to serve stakeholders and delivering results-oriented programs
• Cultivating big-picture thinking to understand how individual policies and projects interconnect within the broader organizational context
• Adapting and pivoting between projects as priorities shift and conditions change 
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across both the department and City at large
• Managing programs and projects with multiple stakeholders and non-line authority

ADA and Other Requirements: 
  
Physical Effort: 
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. 
  
Work Environment: 
Work is typically performed in an indoor environment.  
  
Work Exposures: 
Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures.  
  
City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.