What does a senior policy analyst do?
Senior policy analysts are legal professionals who are responsible for developing government policies as well as providing advice and briefings to ministers and senior management. These analysts are required to provide detailed information about the law and public policy for both government and the private sector. They must collaborate with the business development division to research and present policies and trends related to health care. Senior policy analysts must also conduct technical assistance and training to advocacy groups and service providers.
Senior policy analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior policy analyst resumes:
- Lead and manage junior staff collecting quantitative and qualitative data on health outcomes among Medicare and Medicaid dual eligible populations.
- Lead a cross-team project to deliver state fact sheets highlighting the importance of social security and Medicare.
- Manage all issues relate to high quality survey administration including training and approval/certification, performance oversight and data collection.
- Conduct detailed reviews of DOD CI/HUMINT doctrine, strategies and policies.
- Present analysis to the CMS via public comments, legal memorandums, and in person presentations.
- Propose changing the TSA MD 2810.1and eventually the DHS MD 11056.1 to reflect these legal concerns.
- Establish Medicaid and state regulatory affairs monthly electronic newsletters that have higher read rates than establish publications.
- Provide policy recommendations regarding organizational development, education, and incentive programs target to growing language capabilities throughout the DoD.
- Facilitate migration to fix ordering while collaborating with logistics to ensure inbound freight are organized at distribution centers across the country.
- Created/Maintain JSP using JDBC reporting database content helping QA team finds records to test.
- Serve as SharePoint TeamRoom administrator for all consent order documentation.
- Assign metadata to upload research documents for several million dollar project client SharePoint sites.
- Develop and maintain a software compatibility list for ERP applications.
- Diagram and flowchart complex system data involving propose computer networking systems and interfaces using advance features of VISIO software.
Senior policy analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Senior Policy Analysts are proficient in Public Policy, Policy Issues, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Time-management skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Policy Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Public Policy, 7%
Managed grant recipients, analyzed public policy, conducted research and organized activities.
- Policy Issues, 7%
Provided guidance and analysis on a variety of policy issues dealing with pending and proposed legislation and bill referrals to Committees/Councils.
- Project Management, 6%
Assisted with Project management documentation, schedules, and budgets for Meaningful Use implementation and Electronic Health Record certification.
- Policy Analysis, 6%
Reconstructed insurance history including: review of historical corporate records, policy analysis and preparation of policy coverage charts.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Bolstered FRAC's data analysis capabilities with expertise in using public use data on demographics and program participation.
- Public Health, 5%
Subject matter expert on military humanitarian assistance, disaster response, public health care infrastructure, intelligence and disease surveillance.
Most senior policy analysts use their skills in "public policy," "policy issues," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior policy analyst responsibilities here:
Time-management skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior policy analyst to have is time-management skills. You can see how this relates to what senior policy analysts do because "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." Additionally, a senior policy analyst resume shows how senior policy analysts use time-management skills: "researched and prepared deadlined briefs specific to the national security agency's surveillance programmes which were used for legislative outreach. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior policy analyst duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." According to a senior policy analyst resume, here's how senior policy analysts can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "research, analyze, report, plan meetings and provide legislative assistance to senators regarding education policy. "
Communication skills. senior policy analysts are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior policy analyst responsibilities, because "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." A senior policy analyst resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "provide executive level liaison with and communication support functions to navy, dod, congress and other agencies and organizations. "
Interpersonal skills. senior policy analyst responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." This resume example shows what senior policy analysts do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "applied interpersonal, analytical and computer skills to troubleshoot incoming problems and disbursed cases to the appropriate information systems team members. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for senior policy analyst responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior policy analysts all the time, as "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." An excerpt from a real senior policy analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior policy analyst does: "review pertinent data including legal opinions and court decisions to identify and analyze major policy issues requiring resolution. "
The three companies that hire the most senior policy analysts are:
- SAIC15 senior policy analysts jobs
- Environmental Defense Fund6 senior policy analysts jobs
- Google4 senior policy analysts jobs
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Compare different senior policy analysts
Senior policy analyst vs. Subject matter expert
A subject matter expert is someone who has special knowledge and expertise about a specific process or service, providing advice to other team members or directly assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns. Subject matter experts coordinate on planning strategic procedures to improve the work processes and ensure customer satisfaction. They are also active in participating in learning programs and training sessions to share their knowledge and best practices for their specialization. Subject matter experts identify potential business opportunities to generate more revenues for the business and achieve its profitability goals.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior policy analyst are more likely to require skills like "public policy," "policy issues," "policy analysis," and "public health." On the other hand, a job as a subject matter expert requires skills like "logistics," "customer service," "windows," and "customer satisfaction." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Subject matter experts earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $114,112. On the other hand, senior policy analysts are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $81,928.subject matter experts tend to reach lower levels of education than senior policy analysts. In fact, subject matter experts are 9.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior policy analyst vs. Business consultant
A business consultant is an individual who works directly with business owners on developing a business plan and identifying their marketing needs. Business consultants offer business owners a wide range of services, such as supplementing existing staff, provide expertise in a specific market, and influencing other people. To increase revenue in business, business consultants should have experience success with the previous business owners. Business consultants must also have a bachelor's degree in business management and received years of field training.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior policy analyst resumes. While senior policy analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "public policy," "policy issues," "policy analysis," and "public health," business consultants use skills like "strong analytical," "analytics," "healthcare," and "tableau."
On average, business consultants earn a higher salary than senior policy analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, business consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $89,294. Whereas senior policy analysts have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $81,928.business consultants earn lower levels of education than senior policy analysts in general. They're 6.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior policy analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Tracy Harbin
Professor of Political Science, Seminole State College
Senior policy analyst vs. Consultant
Consultants are individuals who were tapped by a company or an organization to work on a specific activity, depending on their field of expertise. They act as guides for the organization in undertaking projects that are related to their field. Consultants would usually assist organizations in planning, often giving advice when the need arises. They would, at times, take the lead in activities that involve data gathering and interpretation of data gathering results so that they can provide solid recommendations on actions that the organization may undertake. They may also guide the organization in implementing any changes brought about by their consultancy and in evaluating the effectiveness of the changes.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior policy analyst resumes include skills like "public policy," "policy issues," "policy analysis," and "public health," whereas a consultant is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "strong analytical," "c++," and "c #. "
Consultants make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $85,405. On the other hand, senior policy analysts are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $81,928.consultants typically earn lower educational levels compared to senior policy analysts. Specifically, they're 7.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 6.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior policy analyst vs. Management consultant
A management consultant's responsibility focuses on conducting an in-depth analysis of a company or business, including its target market. Through their findings, they can devise strategies that will help the business grow and attain a significant profit. There are also instances when a management consultant must solve particular issues that will require them to investigate the problem, assess damages, identify risks, and recommend the best solutions to take. Furthermore, a management consultant must adhere to the company's vision, mission, and policies at all times.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior policy analysts and management consultants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior policy analyst might have more use for skills like "public policy," "policy issues," "policy analysis," and "public health." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of management consultants require skills like "healthcare," "portfolio," "business process," and "business strategy. "
In general, management consultants earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $102,527. The highest-paying industry for a senior policy analyst is the finance industry.management consultants reach similar levels of education compared to senior policy analysts, in general. The difference is that they're 3.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 8.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of senior policy analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
