Manager - Legislative Affairs & Policy

Manager Legislative Affairs & Policy

Salary

$79,248.00 Annually

Location

City County Building, IN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

09843

Department

City/County Council

Opening Date

05/13/2026

Closing Date

6/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits

Overview

Agency Summary

The City-County Council is the legislative branch of our local government. In addition to adopting budgets, levying taxes, and authorizing financial appropriations to fund city and county operations, the council is responsible for enacting, repealing, and amending local laws. The Council appoints members to boards and commissions that serve the community, and all meetings are open to the public.

Job Summary

Position is responsible for executing the Councils public policy and intergovernmental strategy and works on behalf of the Council with local, state, and federal elected and appointed officials; neighborhood groups; and business and trade organizations. The position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer/Policy Director and provides strategic policy and legislative support to Council leadership.

The Manager - Legislative Affairs & Policy oversees the development, coordination, and implementation of the Councils legislative and policy initiatives. The manager supervises the Legislative Liaisons and coordinates cross-departmental policy research, legislative analysis, and strategic advocacy. This position also evaluates the long-term policy and fiscal impacts of enacted legislation and develops frameworks for measuring legislative performance.

The Manager - Legislative Affairs & Policy analyzes, consolidates, and interprets data; prepares policy and fiscal reports; assists in the city-county budget process; and maintains a comprehensive understanding of state and federal policy trends affecting local governance. The role advises Council leadership on legislative drafting best practices and ensures strategic alignment between Council priorities and citywide initiatives. Strong written and verbal communication skills, professional integrity, and the ability to manage confidential information are essential.

Independent judgment is regularly utilized when there are no available policies or procedures. Errors in judgment may result in regulatory, fiscal, or operational challenges. This position carries out broad and complex assignments requiring comprehensive knowledgeor the ability to obtain such knowledgeof public policy, legislative processes, and intergovernmental affairs in order to interpret and apply policies and provide information that supports decision-making.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Manages the planning, development, and implementation of policies and objectives in alignment with the priorities and strategic direction established by the Council.
• Advises Council on legislative options, policy implications, and procedural considerations to support informed decision-making.
• Supervises the Legislative Liaisons and provides leadership and staff support for special projects, study commissions, and community outreach initiatives.
• Serves as a liaison between the Council and community stakeholders, including neighborhood associations, advocacy groups, and business or civic partnersfacilitating engagement, transparency, and collaboration on key legislative initiatives.
• Coordinates with the Mayors Office and external agencies on strategic policy alignment, grant opportunities, and the implementation of state and federal mandates.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with City and County departments, municipal corporations, and other governmental partners to efficiently exchange information and respond to inquiries.
• Monitors and tracks state and federal legislation that may impact local government policy, operations, or fiscal capacity, and provides timely updates to Council leadership.
• Conducts policy research, analyzes program data, and prepares concise policy briefs and recommendations to support Council decision-making on legislative and community initiatives.
• Collaborates with the General Counsel to prepare and review legislative documents and proposals for Council introduction, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and procedures.
• Assists the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Administrative Officer/Policy Director in the formulation, review, and adoption of the annual budgets for the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and the five municipal corporations under Council oversight.
• Collaborates with the CFO on fiscal analyses related to budget, bond, and economic development legislation, ensuring financial data is accurately represented in Council materials.
• Oversees the development of a framework for evaluating the fiscal, social, and administrative impacts of Council-enacted legislation to measure outcomes and inform future policymaking.
• Attends Council meetings, committee hearings, and relevant boards or commissions to monitor and report on the progress of policies, programs, and budget initiatives.
• Notifies Council staff of procedural considerations related to proposed legislation and coordinates with the General Counsel to ensure compliance.
• Maintains confidentiality, demonstrates sound judgment, and adapts to shifting priorities and deadlines, including attending evening and weekend meetings as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Administrative Officer/Policy Director.
• This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field is required, with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted. Must be able to manage multiple tasks and projects, lead teams and working groups, maintain effective internal and external relationships, and clearly present information to support policymaking. Responds to inquiries from City-County personnel, regulatory agencies, and members of the business community. Must demonstrate the ability to lead executive-level legislative and regulatory initiatives, including drafting, statutory interpretation, and oversight of policy development, implementation, and cross-departmental coordination. Must possess comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal legislative processes and intergovernmental affairs.

Ability to use Microsoft 365 programs. Ability to work with various computer accounting and management system software and databases. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to communicate effectively in all formats (oral, verbal, and written) and to present information in an easily understood and professional format. Ability to meet deadlines and coordinate a variety of projects simultaneously. Knowledge of government accounting procedures preferred.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

In addition to the minimum job requirements, Masters degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Law, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Working Conditions

Essential functions are regularly performed in a standard office environment without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. This position requires flexibility in work hours and may involve working outside of normal business hours. The employee must be available to stay late, arrive early, and work evenings or weekends as needed to attend Council meetings and community events.

Physical Conditions

• Sitting at a desk the majority of the day
• Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10) pounds
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation
• Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals
• Tasks require the ability to communicate orally

All rates are bi-weekly.

2026 Rate Sheet - To view our rate sheet, please copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:67382b58-4d1a-4519-89d7-8453f91e19a1

Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month):

Basic: Employer Paid

Optional Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month)

Additional:

<25-29 $0.058

30-34 $0.083

35-39 $0.099

40-44 $0.132

45-49 $0.223

50-54 $0.363

55-59 $0.600

60-64 $0.795

65-69 $1.329

70 + $2.054

IMPORTANT PERF UPDATE:

• For more information on eligibility options, refer to Proposal 21-288 https://bit.ly/3exq8yR

1. All employees hired/rehired after 1/1/2022 have a choice to select the PERF Hybrid plan (3% + Pension) or the INPRS My Choice: Retirement Savings plan (3% + 1% Contribution). The Hybrid plan consists of two components:

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. Youre always vested in your ASA portion - its always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employees career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the members age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.

2. Employees hired/rehired by the City and County between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2021 will be automatically enrolled in the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan. This plan is an annuity savings account (ASA) only plan and does not have a pension component. Any service that an employee has in the My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan will not count toward the service time requirements for pension eligibility in the Hybrid Plan.

With the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan, the ASA is split up into two parts:

Part one - This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. Youre always vested in your ASA portion - its always yours.

Part two - This consists of an additional variable rate contribution paid by the City toward your ASA. This variable rate contribution is currently 1% of your gross wages. Vesting in the value of the variable rate employer contribution will vary by length of participation. You are:

20 percent vested after 1 full year of participation

40 percent vested after 2 full years of participation

60 percent vested after 3 full years of participation

80 percent vested after 4 full years of participation

100 percent vested after 5 full years of participation

3. All employees hired/rehired prior to 1/1/2017 are grandfathered into PERF Hybrid plan. The Hybrid plan consists of two components:

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. Youre always vested in your ASA portion - its always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employees career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the members age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.

4. City Employees hired/rehired between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/21 that are members of the City AFSCME labor union can choose to enroll in either the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan or the PERF Hybrid plan. Both plans are described above. Employees have 60 days to choose which option they want, and by state law this cannot be changed. If no choice is made, the employee will then be automatically added to the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan.

The Indiana General Assembly has enacted a provision that allows public employees to make voluntary contributions in addition to the mandatory three percent (3%) contributions. Employees may contribute up to an additional ten- percent (10%) of their compensation per pay period to the annuity savings account. This means that the maximum level of contributions to the annuity savings account under this new provision is thirteen percent (13%) of an employees compensation per pay period.

Employees who separate from the city within their first ten (10) years of employment need to contact INPRS - PERF regarding their ASA account.

Questions relating to PERF may be directed to INPRS - PERF at:

Indiana Public Retirement System

Public Employees Retirement Fund

One North Capitol, Suite 001

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

(888) 236-3544

Employer City of Indianapolis and Marion County

Address 200 E. Washington Street

CCB 1501

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204

Phone 317-327-5211

Website http://www.indy.gov