Strategy and Policy Manager, Sustainability and Resiliency – Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. 

What We Offer 

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The salary range for this position is $89,144 - $147,088. 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, 1 Wellness Day, and 1 volunteer day per year 

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date 

Location 

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. Employees work where needed, at a job site 3 days per week and off-site as needed. The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency requires 3 days in office at the Wellington Webb Municipal Building. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days. 

What You’ll Do 

The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency’s (CASR) vision is to build a carbon pollution free, sustainable, and resilient Denver for all. Guided by science and shaped by community input, CASR delivers bold solutions through policies, programs, and capital projects that reduce emissions, advance environmental justice, and strengthen climate resilience. Our portfolio includes beneficial electrification, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, climate adaptation, community resilience, nature-based solutions, natural resource conservation, embodied carbon, waste reduction and diversion, communications, community engagement, and workforce development—all with a strong focus on equity. This work is driving measurable progress toward a healthier, more sustainable Denver for generations to come. 

The Sustainability and Resiliency (S&R) Division of the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) seeks a Strategy and Policy Manager to lead the division's Strategy and Policy team. This team is charged with providing essential support to the S&R division, through research, strategic planning, policy development, and data management. The work will focus on advancing division goals and priorities for advancing climate adaptation and resiliency, environmental justice, zero waste systems, and economic circularity.  

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of successfully working across departments and agencies within a large city government to drive complex initiatives forward. They will be adept at translating high-level strategies and policy goals into actionable programs, projects, and regulatory frameworks and embedding sustainability and resiliency priorities into citywide plans, codes, technical standards, and operational practices. This role requires a strategic thinker and skilled collaborator who can navigate diverse stakeholder interests, build consensus, and ensure alignment with broader city objectives to accelerate climate action and systems change. 

Job duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:  

• Provide leadership through strategic planning and policy development to advance the City’s climate resilience and adaptation vision, including the development of goals, work plans, programs, policies, and projects to reduce climate impacts.  

• Provide expertise and support to the division and agency for key research and planning functions 

• Collaborate with internal departments, external partners, and community stakeholders to ensure successful project implementation.  

• Support the integration of the division’s goals into citywide plans, codes, policies, and standards, including: 

• Land use and development codes  

• Community and special area plans 

• Building and energy codes 

• Zero waste systems and infrastructure  

• Capital projects and design standards 

• Economic development and green workforce initiatives 

• Public and environmental health programs 

• Manage consultants, contracts, and grant-funded projects, including complex budgets and reporting requirements.  

• Prepare and present staff reports, outreach materials, and policy recommendations to City Council, Planning Commission, and the public.  

• Administer and track Climate Protection Fund investments to ensure compliance and impact.  

• Foster an atmosphere of innovation to challenge the organization to think creatively, especially as it relates to positive citizen and customer experience opportunities.  

• Provide exceptional leadership of people including coaching, mentoring, and supporting staff in pursuit of continuous improvement, including devising new strategies and new opportunities.   

• Develop work plans for direct reports with clearly defined goals and responsibilities. 

• Formally evaluate work of employees, document performance, and provide performance feedback.  

• Other duties as assigned.   

About You  

Our ideal candidate will have a combination of the following:  

• Bachelor’s degree in sustainability planning, environmental science, urban planning, public administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.   

• Three (3) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of professional individual contributors.  

• Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability, resilience, or urban planning. Experience in municipal government, community engagement, and data management preferred.  

• Demonstrated leadership in building and developing functional teams, managing productivity, engagement, retention, employee development, and performance.  

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex challenges and develop innovative, data-driven solutions.  

• Adept at developing, strengthening, and navigating complex relationships among  
  community, local and state leaders.  

• Proven track record of translating high-level strategies and policy goals into actionable programs, projects, and regulatory frameworks.  

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, communication, and self-motivation skills  

• Experience with management and oversight of project and program budgets, and business processes. 

• Excellent judgment/sound problem solving skills with an aptitude for continuous improvement.  

• Ability to extract and organize data from various sources, prepare analysis and recommendations, and make oral/written presentations  

• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on under-resourced communities, along with the desire to incorporate perspectives of multiple communities  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or sustainability planning, environmental science, urban planning, public administration, or a related field based on a specific position(s). 

• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of Supervisory experience. 

• Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.