Policy Director

Overview

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.

The Policy Director is expected to embody the values of Commissioner Ellis’ Office and the Policy Division, including a strong work ethic, collaborative leadership, principled decision-making, and a steadfast commitment to equity, justice, and public service. The role contributes to a fair, equitable, sustainable, and results-driven organization grounded in trust, accountability, and shared purpose.

The Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis (OCRE) seeks a Policy Director to lead the Policy Division and steward the precinct’s policy agenda in service of building a national model for responsive, inclusive, and collaborative public service. This role operates at the intersection of strategy, policy, and power and is responsible for advancing major reforms, shaping cross-division strategy, and translating leadership priorities into durable institutional change.

As the senior policy leader within the Office, the Director translates values into executable governance strategy; anticipates political, legal, and operational risk; and provides clear, trusted counsel in high-stakes environments. The role serves as a principal thought partner to the Commissioner and executive leadership, supporting coherence, discipline, and strategic clarity across OCRE’s policy, advocacy, and implementation work.

In addition to division leadership and portfolio oversight, the Director carries primary responsibility for organizational policy performance, talent development, and cross-system coordination. The Director represents the Office in major policy arenas and serves as a steward of the Commissioner’s vision, values, and institutional integrity across Harris County Precinct One.

The OCRE Policy Division advances work across core issue areas, including:

• Criminal justice reform and public safety

• Economic justice and workforce opportunity

• Health equity and access to quality, affordable care

• Environmental and climate justice

• Infrastructure and transportation equity

• Voting rights and democratic participation

• Racial and social justice integration across systems

Policy Strategy & Agenda Leadership

• Lead development and execution of the precinct’s policy agenda in partnership with the Commissioner and executive leadership team.

• Translate OCRE priorities into clear initiatives, timelines, and performance benchmarks.

• Identify emerging challenges and opportunities and recommend proactive policy responses.

• Ensure alignment between policy strategy, advocacy, and implementation.

Cross-Division Coordination & Strategic Advocacy

• Direct integrated policy, advocacy, and communications strategies in collaboration with Community Affairs, Communications, and other OCRE divisions.

• Build and manage coalitions with county departments, court offices, community organizations and stakeholders, and partner organizations.

• Represent the Policy Division in executive, intergovernmental, and public…