Policy Analyst

About Nava
Nava is a consultancy and public benefit corporation working to make government services simple and effective. Since 2015, federal, state, and local agencies have trusted Nava to help solve highly scrutinized technology modernization challenges.
As a client services company, we guide agencies constrained by legacy systems to a future with sharp user experiences built on secure, reliable, fault-tolerant cloud infrastructure. We bill for our time, offering our expertise and problem-solving approach to help our government partners enhance their digital products and services. People are at the heart of our work, from members of the public who rely on benefit programs to government agency staff. Through human-centered design and modern engineering best practices, we help our government partners understand user needs and deliver on their missions more effectively. This focus gives everyone at Nava the opportunity to do work that is meaningful, impactful, and deeply connected to public good.
Please note: the level of the role will be determined by Nava leadership based on experience and skillset.
Position summary
Nava is at the forefront of reimagining how our government serves its people, and we’re looking for a Policy Strategist to help us increase our impact within government. Policy Strategists at Nava help teams navigate complex policy environments by turning policy into decisions, tradeoffs, and actionable direction. We work across disciplines—including product, design, and engineering—to ensure systems are compliant, effective, and grounded in real-world policy and program operations.
In this role, you will contribute to Nava Labs’ efforts to understand and shape the emerging landscape of AI policy in public benefits. This includes identifying where policy is evolving, where guidance is unclear, and how Nava can develop a clear, credible point of view and engage externally.
You are a strategic and outcomes-oriented thinker, adept at identifying patterns across complex information and making thoughtful decisions that impact various teams, both internal and external. You possess excellent communication skills and balance rigorous analysis with a practical mindset to drive clear, high-quality decisions and forward progress. You have the ability to develop research plans, and synthesize analyses into concrete recommendations that positively impact service experience outcomes. You stay up to date about technology, legislation, and policy trends, and care deeply about improving the way government programs operate.
What you'll do
Policy Translation & Implementation
Partner with cross-functional teams to translate policy into system behavior, workflows, and user experiences
Identify regulatory constraints, risks, and ambiguities — including edge cases, eligibility requirements, and business rules — and propose solutions that balance compliance, user experience, and delivery needs
Create artifacts (e.g., policy briefs, decision frameworks, process flows) to support decision-making and prioritization
Support testing and validation of policy implementation (e.g., scenario and edge case testing)
Policy Research, Strategy & Advocacy
Conduct landscape and comparative policy research to monitor evolving policies and translate them into implications for implementation, technology, and engagement opportunities
Synthesize research into clear written and verbal communication for a range of different internal and external audiences
Identify partnership opportunities and maintain relationships with external stakeholders to support partnership, advocacy, and thought leadership efforts
Contribute to advocacy strategy development and execution
Required skills
At least 5 years of experience in policy analysis, or a combination of relevant graduate-level education and experience
Hands-on experience analyzing, interpreting, or implementing policies and programs in public benefit programs or other highly regulated domains
Strong ability to build and nurture relationships with both internal teams and external partners
Self-directed and comfortable working independently with minimal supervision
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical and policy contexts
Understanding of public programs, ideally at multiple levels of government
Ability to document research processes, findings, and recommendations clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner
Experience contributing to public comments, policy proposals, or supporting legislative or regulatory processes as legislative staff, agency rulemaking staff, or in a lobbying, advocacy, or related role
Skilled at turning research and policy signals into recommendations for technical solutions and opportunities for advocacy and external engagement
An adaptive, empathetic, collaborative, and positive mindset
Highly resourceful, reliable, and detail-oriented
Comfortable with ambiguous, rapidly-evolving environments with many parallel threads
Desired skills
Experience working within agile delivery and human-centered design processes (sprint ceremonies, design reviews, user research)
Experience working on government technology modernization, civic tech, or large-scale systems change.
Graduate degree in public policy, public administration, or related field.
Compensation
$109,800—$121,500 USD
Other requirements
All roles at Nava require the following:
Legal authorization to work in the United States
Ability to meet any other requirements for government contracts for which candidates are hired
Work authorization that doesn’t require visa sponsorship, now or in the future
May be subject to a government background check or security clearance, depending on the contract
Perks working with Nava
Health coverage — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to support your overall health needs
Insurance coverage — Nava provides disability, life, and accidental death insurance at no cost
Time off — vacation, holidays (including Juneteenth), and floating holidays to rest and recharge
Company holidays — enjoy 12 paid federal holidays each year on top of your regular PTO
Annual bonus — when Nava meets its goals, eligible employees receive a performance-based annual bonus
Parental leave — paid time off for new parents, plus weekly meals delivered to your home
Wellness program — full platform offering physical, mental, & emotional health resources & support tools
Virtual care — see doctors online with no copay through a virtual visit program (depending on available providers)
Sabbatical leave — earn extended unpaid leave after continuous service for personal growth or rest
401(k) match — Nava matches 4% of your salary to support your retirement savings plan
Flexible work — remote-first environment with flexibility built around your schedule and responsibilities
Home office setup — company laptop & setup assistance provided via Staples for remote work needs
Utility support — monthly reimbursement to help offset eligible home office utility expenses
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