Senior Policy Advisor - Budget & Tax

The Mission of the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis:

Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ Office is committed to becoming a national model for delivering responsive public service that utilizes inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approaches to improve the quality of life, advance equality of opportunity, and promote the fair treatment of all people in Harris County. Key Areas of focus for our organization include, but are not limited to:

• Advancing more effective, fair and equitable criminal justice system.
• Furthering economic justice, equity, and opportunity for all Harris County residents, especially those often and historically left behind by government programs.
• Ensuring equitable outcomes in health and access to quality, affordable healthcare.
• Fighting for environmental and climate justice that keeps all communities safe and healthy.
• Equitably investing in developing and maintaining resilient infrastructure and transportation for the 21st century.
• Building and defending voting rights and a democracy that ensures equitable representation.
• Progressing equity and social and racial justice as common threads through all areas of public policy and public service.

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for equity, policy innovation, and public service? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can lead impactful initiatives and coach emerging policy leaders? If so, we invite you to apply for the role of Senior Policy Advisor - Budget & Tax.

The Senior Advisor for Budget and Tax Policy is a senior leadership role in the Policy Division responsible for developing, advancing, and implementing the fiscal strategy of the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis (OCRE). This position provides expert guidance on budget development, revenue systems, and tax policy to ensure that public resources are deployed effectively, transparently, and equitably. The role requires strong data-driven decision-making and advanced analytical capabilities to evaluate complex budgetary and tax policy issues.

The Senior Advisor will lead rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis, develop data models and performance dashboards, and apply statistical and economic forecasting tools to support high-impact policy recommendations. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in interpreting large and complex datasets to identify fiscal risks, opportunities for efficiency, and strategies for long-term sustainability. This position is suited for a strategic thinker who combines technical rigor with policy judgment to drive outcomes that ensure fiscal accountability, sustainability, and community impact.

All Policy Division team members are responsible for advancing, developing, and defending policies consistent with the Precinct One mission. Policy Advisors will conduct research and analysis, draft policy briefs and recommendations, monitor and track developments, organize relevant stakeholders, and propose and implement strategic plans in relevant areas of public policy to aid in advancing reforms. Senior Advisors must be able to fulfill all policy advising expectations with a high level of proficiency and may be responsible for supervising other Policy team members.

This role requires strong data-driven decision-making and advanced analytical capabilities to evaluate complex budgetary and tax policy issues.

At the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis, we are committed to equity, opportunity, and justice. Our Policy Division drives innovative solutions that improve the lives of residents and reshape systems for the better. As part of our team, you'll have the platform, support, and responsibility to make lasting change.

• Develop subject matter expertise in assigned policy issue areas.
• Develop and execute monitoring, tracking, outreach, and engagement plans for assigned issue areas.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to assess fiscal impacts of proposed policies.
• Develop data models and dashboards to monitor budget performance and tax revenue trends.
• Utilize statistical tools and economic forecasting techniques to support policy recommendations.
• Interpret large datasets to identify patterns, risks, and opportunities for efficiency.
• Report and communicate important national, state, and local trends and developments in issue spaces (and provide recommendations related to policy challenges and opportunities) to leadership in timely manner.
• Perform quality policy research and analysis efficiently and thoroughly. Design and develop actionable policy solutions to enhance the quality of life for all Harris County residents.
• Utilize strategic communications to inform key constituencies, advance and defend key policy priorities, and complex policy information clearly and concisely to relevant target audiences.
• Develop and implement strategic advocacy efforts plans to advance and defend policy priorities.
• Engage with stakeholders, teammates, and decision makers –…