Job Description

Position Description

Policy Director (0566C), California Policy Lab - 81495

About Berkeley: The University of California, Berkeley, is dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice.

Departmental Overview : The California Policy Lab (CPL) generates research insights for government impact. We focus our work in six policy areas: education, criminal justice reform, poverty and the social safety net, labor and employment, health, and homelessness and high-needs populations.

Position Summary : The Policy Director will lead CPL's Sacramento office, with a primary goal of amplifying CPL's impact through engagement with the legislature, the Governor's Office, and other Sacramento-based stakeholders on matters of research and data.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute CPL's state-level strategy for informing the policymaking process with research.
• Analyze pending and likely future legislation to identify opportunities to inform the policy process through data and evidence.
• Synthesize CPL's research to inform pending legislation and to identify areas of potential legislation to relevant stakeholders.
• Identify legislative and regulatory opportunities to advance the use of government data for research and improve government decision-making.
• Coordinate with CPL's research teams so they can generate relevant deliverables for Sacramento-based audiences.

Internal CPL Leadership

• Keep CPL leadership and staff educated on active and emerging policy issues and opportunities, as well as legislative deadlines and Sacramento-based events that are relevant to CPL's research areas.
• Work with CPL's communications team and research staff to develop policy briefs, testimony, and other materials.
• Mentor CPL staff on legislative processes and effective policy communications.
• Manage part- or full-time contractors or staff for communications or event planning.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as CPL's primary representative in Sacramento.
• Build and maintain relationships as a trusted research and analysis resource for key players in Sacramento.
• Communicate complex research findings to policymakers, agency leaders, and advocacy partners in clear, actionable ways.
• Organize briefings, testimony, public events, and other outreach to share research findings and policy recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in California state government, the Legislature, or related policy roles.
• Ability to leverage an existing network of trusted relationships with Sacramento-based policymakers and staff.
• Deep understanding of California's legislative, budgetary, and regulatory processes.
• Demonstrated success translating research or technical analysis into actionable policy recommendations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including academic researchers, agency leaders, elected officials, and community partners.
• Knowledge of CPL's mission and demonstrated ability to advance evidence-informed policy.
• Demonstrated skill in advancing equity and understanding how policy impacts a variety of California communities.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in California state government, the Legislature, or related policy roles.
• Experience working in one of CPL's major policy areas (criminal justice, homelessness, workforce, education, social safety net, health).
• Experience developing or leading state-level policy campaigns or initiatives.
• Experience in a similar role of translating complex and nuanced research findings into actionable, policy-focused insights for decision-makers.
• Master's degree, JD, or other advanced degree in public policy, public administration, law, or a related field and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits : The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $120,000.00 - $170,000.00.

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