Summary

As the Deputy Legislative Director, you will execute the strategic direction and vision of the Legislative Affairs team to drive high impact, equitable outcomes for the City and County of Denver. You will collaborate with city officials, department heads, community organizations, and stakeholders to ensure effective legislative advocacy and the successful implementation of the Mayor’s key initiatives.

Description

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The hiring range for this position is $115,972 – $152,512 / per year based on experience and education. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include, but are not limited to:

A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service.
457B Retirement Plan
140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year.
Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date.

Find out more about the benefits we offer our employees to find balance and build a mile high career.

Location

Appointee positions with the City and County of Denver require in-person attendance. We believe that being together in the same physical space allows us to listen more effectively, learn from one another, and act quickly by fostering strong relationships. Therefore, we prioritize in-person collaboration and value face-to-face interactions. Our office does not operate remotely.

What You'll Do

The City and County of Denver is seeking a Deputy Legislative Director to support the Mayor’s legislative agenda.

As the Deputy Legislative Director, you will support the Legislative Director in managing all aspects of the legislative process including all internal and external interactions on legislation, manage and maintain relationships with city council and city agencies, bill submission and bill calendar management, budget process, and prioritization of actions in front of City Council.

We are committed to delivering exemplary services to citizens and drive business outcomes that best serve the public interest. A successful candidate will be someone who can generate innovative and nuanced solutions to complex issues, develop strategy, and anticipate and resolve challenges.

A successful candidate is also adaptable and able to work in an environment where there are many initiatives that are time sensitive and need to be addressed simultaneously. You will often be required to shift topics and tasks with little to no notice.

Please note, all City and County of Denver Appointee positions will be in-person roles. We believe we can listen better, learn more, and act faster when we are able to build strong relationships in the same physical space. With this in mind, we do our work together in person. We value in-person interactions. Our office is not remote.

Additionally, as the Deputy Legislative Director, you will be responsible for:

Relationship Building: Establish strong working relationships with Councilmembers, their teams, external stakeholders and agency leaders and teams.
Policy Analysis and Research: Conduct thorough analysis and research on proposed legislation, policy issues, and relevant trends impacting the city. Evaluate the potential impact of proposed laws and regulations and provide recommendations to city officials based on your findings. Stay informed about local, state, and federal legislation that may affect Denver's interests. Execute policy development on behalf of the Mayor and Legislative Director as requested, including identifying policy options, best practices, potential conflicts, and stakeholder interests. Work includes assisting in developing communications and outreach strategies as needed.
Implementing Legislative Strategy: Implement strategic plans to advance the city's legislative agenda and policy priorities. Collaborate with key stakeholders, including elected officials, department heads, and community organizations, to build consensus around proposed initiatives. Develop comprehensive materials for Councilmembers in partnership with agencies.
Conflict Resolution: Support legislative conflict resolution and address questions related to legislative matters as needed.
Technical Expertise: Act as a technical expert in legislative matters, including preparing the Legislative Director to effectively address anticipated questions or requests of the Administration in council meetings.
Legislative Coordination: Support the Legislative Director on council matters being elevated to the Mayor’s Office. Partner with agency staff on legislative matters by providing guidance on engagement with City Council. Execute engagement strategy with external stakeholders on legislative matters of interest, including addressing questions and concerns or recommending potential changes to proposed legislation.
Legislative Drafting and Advocacy: Draft legislation, resolutions, and policy proposals in collaboration with city officials, the City Attorney’s Office and subject matter experts. Advocate for city positions with external stakeholders as directed by the Legislative Director.
Coalition Building and Outreach: Coordinate outreach efforts to engage residents, businesses, and community leaders in the legislative process. Organize public hearings, town hall meetings, and informational sessions to gather feedback and ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
Please note that these responsibilities can vary depending on the specific needs and priorities of the Mayor’s Office and may be subject to change over time.

What You’ll Bring

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

Integrity & Confidentiality: Ability to exercise professional; judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information.
Legislative Expertise: Proven expertise in local legislative processes, policies, and procedures, with a deep understanding of municipal governance and Denver’s legislative landscape
Policy Analysis and Development: Expert in conducting thorough policy analysis and research to evaluate the impact of proposed legislation and policy initiatives. Ability to identify potential risks and opportunities and provide evidence-based recommendations to the Legislative Director. Skill in drafting legislation, resolutions, and policy proposals.
Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to develop and implement legislative strategies that align with the city's priorities. Skilled in setting clear objectives, managing resources effectively, and prioritizing tasks for maximum impact.
Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with elected officials, city departments, advocacy groups, and community organizations.
Persuasion: Ability to articulate complex ideas and influence decision-makers through compelling arguments and evidence. Skill in building coalitions and mobilizing support around legislative initiatives.
Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to assess complex legislative issues, identify potential challenges, and propose innovative solutions. Capacity to consider multiple perspectives, weigh trade-offs, and make well-informed decisions in a timely manner.
Political Acumen and Influence: Understanding of political dynamics with the ability to navigate sensitive issues, influence decision-makers, and mobilize support for legislative initiatives.
Cultural Competency & Equity Awareness: Awareness of equity issues and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse communities, ensuring inclusivity in legislative efforts.

To be considered for this position, please include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

Resume

Cover letter answering the following prompt: In less than two pages, please answer the following questions: What is your vision for this role? What do you see as the imperative goals for the 100 days, and for the first year? Who do you see as the critical partners you will need to accomplish those goals? How will you measure and track success?