Skip to Main Content

Senior Policy Advisor

EXEC AIDE II

Recruitment #25-007643-0001

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction

The Governor's Office for Children serves as a central coordinating office to support the well-being of children and families and reduce the number of children living in poverty, which requires a holistic, coordinated approach within State government and across public and private sectors at the federal, State, and local levels. The Governor's Office for Children will lead statewide efforts to build a comprehensive and efficient network of supports, programs, and services for children and their families in order to promote social and emotional well-being, reduce food insecurity, combat youth homelessness, expand access to health services, improve educational outcomes and job readiness, expand access to good jobs, and increase economic opportunity in sustainable ways in jurisdictions that historically have experienced underinvestment. The Governor's Office for Children will also work with multi-sector partners to implement place-based strategies designed to provide access to high quality education and care; connect workers to high quality jobs; enable family-sustaining income and access to affordable high quality housing, child care and health care, including reproductive, maternal, behavioral and mental health care; and increase community health and safety.

To apply, please submit your resume to Melissa Duke (melissa.duke@maryland.gov) by the deadline, (October 7th, 2025) at 11:59PM ET. The subject line should read: (YOUR NAME – Senior Policy Advisor.)

GRADE

21

LOCATION OF POSITION

Annapolis, Maryland

POSITION DUTIES

General Purpose: The Senior Policy Advisor must possess the core skills and passion to support the Policy Director and Governor’s Office for Children in its mission to reduce child poverty and increase economic mobility across the State of Maryland. The Senior Policy Advisor will serve as a senior leader within the Governor’s Office for Children’s Policy Team, driving policy development and implementation of initiatives across the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet and managing staff and workstreams in their portfolio . Specifically, the Senior Policy Advisor will focus on economic security, workforce development, community revitalization, and/or the built environment, working each day to advance a policy agenda focused on ending child poverty and increasing economic mobility in Maryland. The Senior Policy Advisor brings deep subject-matter expertise to the Governor’s Office for Children. They will help staff the Children’s Cabinet; lead working groups and/or other engagements with state agencies and other partners; and conduct extensive research regarding community development and other policy areas in their portfolio.

The Senior Policy Advisor will also support senior leadership in any engagements relating to their portfolio.

This is a hybrid position and requires flexibility to report to locations in Annapolis, Baltimore, and other areas of the state as needed.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Policy Leadership & Expertise
  • Own and lead policy research, development and strategy-setting within their expertise and focus area (e.g., economic security, built environment, workforce development) that is central to GOC’s mission 
  • Serve as GOC’s internal and external expert in this policy area. Act as a senior source of policy expertise to state agencies, partnering with agency leadership to co-develop, test, and refine policies that advance child and family outcomes 
  • Design and advance policy solutions that address systemic challenges and drive measurable improvements in child and family outcomes 
  • Support agencies to translate priorities in the Children’s Cabinet Strategic Plan and state plan into actionable policy and delivery strategies that move the system toward measurable results

Children’s Cabinet & Interagency Leadership 
  • Support the Policy Director to track progress on relevant initiatives in the Children’s Cabinet portfolio to deliver on the Strategic Plan. Work directly with agencies to understand progress, blockers, impacts, and decision points which should be elevated to Children’s Cabinet 
  • Lead planning and follow-up for relevant Children’s Cabinet meetings, including overseeing Fellows and Policy Analysts to develop materials, coordinate with GOC and agency staff, and preparing attendees for a productive meeting 
  • Within their area of expertise, identify when new policy solutions are needed to address gaps in the portfolio, ensuring alignment with the strategic plan. Provide expert rationale for how proposed solutions will accelerate progress on the Children’s Cabinet Strategic Plan and broader state goals 
  • Lead Children’s Cabinet working groups and interagency teams related to the Advisor’s portfolio, ensuring that agency input is surfaced, next steps are clearly defined, and follow-through is executed

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication 
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for GOC’s external partners in the Advisor’s policy area 
  • Own relationships with senior agency leaders, including assistant secretaries, division leaders, and program directors. Communicate efficiently, effectively, and routinely with state agencies and other key stakeholders. Maintain regular engagement with agency partners to surface opportunities, address implementation barriers, and align around shared outcomes 
  • Represent GOC in high-level convenings, public briefings, and policy forums 
  • Lead engagement processes that gather input and shape policy development, including listening sessions, community partner roundtables, and cross-sector meetings 
  • Draft, with the support of Policy Analysts or Fellows, and deliver effective communications materials —including policy updates, talking points, and decision briefs—related to the Children’s Cabinet, the ENOUGH Act, and the Governor’s Office for Children’s policy priorities

Manage and respond to issues within the Special Secretary’s portfolio 
  • Lead the design, planning, and execution of high-priority initiatives which GOC is serving as a project manager or coordinator 
  • Manage implementation of assigned initiatives by developing clear work plans, coordinating delivery, resolving challenges, and escalating key issues. Track progress, lead course corrections, and document outcomes to support learning, scaling, and problem-solving 
  • Lead rapid-turnaround workstreams and cross-cutting projects delegated by the Special Secretary, ensuring timely execution and strategic alignment 
  • Ensure GOC works towards successful transitions to fully agency-led execution as initiatives mature 
  • Provide direct support to the Special Secretary and senior leaders for key briefings, meetings, and external engagements related to the Advisor’s portfolio

Team Management & Collaboration
  • Manage up to leadership, keeping senior leaders in the team GOC informed on progress. Elevate and escalate items for Special Secretary decision making and prioritization 
  • Supervise a Policy Analyst and/or Fellow, providing clear direction, performance feedback, and professional development support. Delegate responsibility for key workstreams while ensuring high-quality output 
  • Oversee Analyst and Fellow execution of support to special projects, including events, site visits and programmatic announcements 
  • Collaborate with other Senior Advisors and Advisors to support cross-team learning, coherence, and strategic integration 
  • Create a cohesive work environment by building, managing, and improving team systems and structures to strengthen the overall effectiveness of the Policy Team

Essential Job Functions And Other Assigned Duties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university 
  • At least 10 years of experience in public policy, preferably in a government or political setting 
  • Demonstrated experience leading high-impact, cross-agency initiatives with strategic responsibility for delivery, alignment, and results 
  • Deep subject-matter expertise in a relevant policy area, with a track record of shaping systems-level strategy and implementation 
  • Proven ability to represent an organization in high-stakes settings, including with executive leadership, Cabinet-level officials, and external partners 
  • Experience advising agency leadership and contributing to statewide policy agendas or strategic plans 
  • Demonstrated success in mentoring and supervising staff, including Analysts, Fellows, or consultants, in high-performing policy or delivery environments 
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines  
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills  
  • Ability to analyze and interpret data 
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy 
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team 
  • Strong people-management skills 
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion in all matters 
  • Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours, as needed

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree preferred

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please submit your resume to Melissa Duke (melissa.duke@maryland.gov) by the deadline, (October 7th, 2025) at 11:59PM ET. The subject line should read: (YOUR NAME – Senior Policy Advisor.)

The State of Maryland is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The State of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The State of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the hiring process and on the job, as required by applicable law. The State of Maryland will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.



Powered by JobAps