Policy Senior Strategist

Position Summary: The Policy Senior Strategist is a senior individual contributor responsible for conducting complex policy research and analysis and leading designated policy implementation, research, evaluation, and program development initiatives. The position serves as a subject matter resource on federal and state health policy and translates complex legislative and regulatory requirements into actionable recommendations that support Connect for Health Colorado’s strategic and operational objectives. The Senior Strategist independently manages a portfolio of complex policy work and leads assigned initiatives from initial research and analysis through implementation and evaluation. Working across business areas, the position facilitates the translation of policy requirements into customer-centered operational processes, system requirements, communications, and program designs.

Position Responsibilities: Policy Research, Analysis, and Regulatory Interpretation Independently conduct and lead complex research and analysis of federal and state legislation, regulations, agency guidance, and emerging policy issues affecting Connect for Health Colorado, its customers, and the individual health insurance market. Serve as a senior subject matter resource on Affordable Care Act policy, including eligibility, enrollment, affordability, financial assistance, coverage requirements, and Marketplace regulations. Monitor emerging policy developments and independently interpret complex statutory and regulatory requirements to assess their implications for customers, organizational operations, technology, and strategic priorities, and develop actionable recommendations for organizational decision-makers. Develop policy analyses, issue briefs, regulatory summaries, decision memos, research reports, and implementation guidance for leadership and cross-functional business partners. Policy Implementation and Cross-Functional Leadership Independently lead designated policy implementation initiatives from initial regulatory analysis through operational implementation and evaluation. Develop implementation frameworks that define policy requirements, business impacts, customer considerations, risks, dependencies, measures of success and recommendations. Provide policy consultation and decision support to Product, Technology, Operations, Communications, External Affairs, and other business areas throughout the implementation lifecycle. Maintain clear documentation of policy interpretations, implementation decisions, and lessons learned to strengthen organizational knowledge and support consistent implementation. Research, Evaluation, and Data Analysis Design and conduct quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation projects that assess policy impacts, customer outcomes, program effectiveness, and organizational performance. Develop research questions, methodologies, evaluation frameworks, logic models, performance indicators, and measures of success for assigned projects and programs. Analyze administrative, survey, operational, market, and other data to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and inform policy and program recommendations. Present analytical findings to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders in accessible formats tailored to technical and non-technical audiences. Policy-Driven Program Development Lead or support research and policy development for new programs and initiatives that advance Marketplace objectives related to affordability, enrollment, retention, customer experience, and individual market development. Assess statutory and regulatory parameters, customer needs, market conditions, operational requirements, and peer Marketplace approaches to inform program design. Identify opportunities created by emerging policy, regulatory changes, or Marketplace authority and develop recommendations for how C4HCO could respond or innovate. Serve as a policy resource throughout the program lifecycle, from initial concept and feasibility assessment through design, implementation, and evaluation.

Requirements: Colorado resident. Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, statistics, data science, public health, health policy, political science, social science, or a related field required; graduate degree preferred. Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, policy research, program evaluation, health policy, government, or a related field. Demonstrated experience independently conducting complex policy and regulatory research and translating findings into actionable recommendations. Demonstrated experience designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research, program evaluation, or complex analytical projects. Experience leading complex projects or initiatives involving multiple business areas or stakeholder groups. Ability to independently interpret complex federal and state statutes, regulations, agency guidance, and other primary policy sources. Strong understanding of research design, program evaluation, performance measurement, and quantitative and qualitative analytical methods. Experience working with administrative datasets, survey data, statistical analysis, business intelligence reporting, or comparable analytical tools and methodologies. Demonstrated ability to translate technical, analytical, and regulatory information into clear recommendations for non-technical audiences and organizational decision-makers. Ability to develop subject matter expertise in complex policy areas and serve as a trusted resource to internal stakeholders. Strong facilitation and relationship-management skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively across business functions with differing priorities and areas of expertise. Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple complex projects and priorities in a rapidly changing policy environment. Strong written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills. Thorough knowledge of the Affordable Care Act and health insurance exchanges preferred; demonstrated ability to rapidly develop expertise in complex regulatory environments required.

Work Environment: Currently working remotely. The Connect for Health Colorado office is in the North Tech Center area of Denver, near the intersection of I-25 and I-225. Work schedule may include some non-traditional hours, weekends, and evening events. Core office hours are typically 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., with some flexibility.

Total Compensation: Connect for Health Colorado offers a competitive benefits package. Employees are offered a robust benefits package and may elect from various offerings to tailor a package best suited to their individual needs. Connect for Health Colorado employees are eligible to participate in the organization’s 403(b) plan and are additionally provided with paid time off, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance. The salary of this position is $79,310 - $99,910 per year. Application Deadline This will be posted for a minimum of 30 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants. *Post date: 09/28/2026 Connect for Health Colorado is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Connect for Health Colorado may, at its discretion, conduct a background check on any workforce member and/or require job candidates to successfully complete a background check as a condition of employment. Salary Description $79,310 - $99,910