Strategy Analyst

The City's

Strategy Analyst

performs professional analytical and technical work to support data-informed decision making across the City organization. Using evidence-based insights, the role analyzes issues affecting service delivery, organizational performance, and strategic priorities. The position models transparency in data use, clarity in communicating insights, and collaboration that builds trust across departments and with the community. This work supports innovation and continuous improvement across City government, helping to advance strategic goals and improve outcomes for the Charlottesville community.

The position is a member of the City Strategy Team with the City Manager’s Office and contributes to a fast-paced, collaborative environment focused on organizational effectiveness and service excellence. Position reports to the Chief Strategy Officer.

This position requires regular in-office presence and is not eligible for hybrid or remote work.

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $33\.17 - $38\.83 an hour ($68,993\.60 - $80,766\.40 annually).

Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option. While the City does not participate in VRS, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462\.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Collects, cleans, analyzes, and interprets data to evaluate City services, programs, and operations; translating findings into actionable insights that inform decision-making.
• Develops and maintains dashboards, reports, and other tools that monitor organizational performance and make data accessible to internal and external audiences.
• Supports the development, implementation, and tracking of citywide strategic priorities and organizational objectives.
• Monitors departmental service delivery, operational performance, and progress on key initiatives, identifying opportunities for improvement and increased effectiveness.
• Manages and supports cross-departmental projects and initiatives, clarifying roles and responsibilities among participants to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Provides consultation, facilitation, and analytical support to departments in the development and refinement of strategies, policies, and operational practices.
• Prepares and delivers clear, concise presentations of analysis and recommendations to a variety of audiences, including staff, leadership, public officials, and community stakeholders.
• Facilitates meetings and collaborative discussions with department leaders and cross-functional teams to advance strategic initiatives and encourage constructive, curiosity-driven dialogue.
• Develops recommendations for program, policy, and operational improvements that enhance service delivery and support long-term community outcomes.
• Works collaboratively with City staff, elected officials, community members, and partner organizations to advance strategic initiatives and build trust through transparent community and data use.
• Supports the development of the City’s performance-based budgeting process in coordination with the Finance Department and the City Manager’s Office.
• Provides training and guidance on strategic planning, performance management, and data-informed decision making across the organization.
• Serves as project manager for initiatives of the City Manager’s Office.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience:

Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education such as college.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, public policy, economics, data analytics, statistics, political science, business administration, or a related field.

AND

• Minimum of 2 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, research, program evaluation, policy analysis, strategic planning, performance management, or a related field.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to support decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information clearly through written reports, presentations , or data visualizations.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred:

• A Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, data analytics, business administration, or related field.
• Experience working in or with local government, public sector organizations, nonprofit organizations, or civic institutions.
• Experience with strategic planning, performance measurement, program evaluation, or organizational improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing dashboards, reports, or data visualizations using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Excel, or similar platforms.
• Experience facilitating cross-functional projects, workshops, or collaborative problem-solving processes.
• Experience translating data into actionable recommendations for leadership, policymakers, or community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with performance-based budgeting or government operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Other Characteristics

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of the mission, goals, and objectives of the organization, programs, and activities.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques relating to the functional area of business operation.
• Knowledge, understanding, and the ability to analyze local, state, and federal data, and to continuously monitor and update reports utilizing the information for impact programming.
• Knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing municipal practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of best practices in local government and/or nonprofit community solutions work.
• Knowledge of budgeting principles.
• Thorough knowledge of effective interpersonal communication and human relations.

Reading

• Advanced: ability to read and understand complex written materials such as books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents. Ability to effectively analyze facts and provide information for assessments.

Writing

• Advanced: ability to develop clear and concise materials such as researched reports, procedures, plans, editorials, journals, speeches, manuals, or critiques. Ability to prepare detailed recommendations or reports from analyzed data, information, and assessments. Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex thoughts and ideas in writing.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skills

• Advanced: Ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships with City Officials, employees, and the general public. Excellent oral and written communication. Requires competent public speaking and presentation skills and ability to present facts and recommendations effectively. May make recommendations regarding policy and process improvement and implementation. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Evaluates customer satisfaction, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction.
• Promotes positive solution-oriented communication while encouraging staff to view feedback as learning, not criticism.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Identifies and/or addresses gaps in the organization's current performance. Oversees distribution of findings for assigned work processes.
• Leads efforts in coordination with leadership to improve processes, procedures, methods, technologies, tools, equipment, terminology, standards, and performance measures.
• Resolves issues using discretionary judgment, where appropriate, while maintaining transparency. Makes decisions concerning conflicting priorities and resource needs with transparent explanation of trade-offs and their impact on priorities.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Intermediate computer skills using Microsoft Office applications and organization systems/software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No formal fiscal responsibilities. However, integrates and translates the operational plans and objectives of various departments and functions into budgetary requirements. May assist in the preparation of the annual operations budget.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Does not perform supervisory responsibilities.

Other Characteristics

• Displays organizational excellence at all times as a representative of the City Manager and city organization at all times.
• Ability to effectively engage in proactive discussions with all segments of an active citizenry and highly participative community.
• Ability to assess multiple, complex, tasks or projects and service demands and develops processes to address them.
• Demonstrates a commitment to implementing outcomes-based programming.
• Ability to motivate and empower the engagement of participants.
• Understands the roles and responsibilities and the interactions and interdependencies of all units and divisions within the organization.
• Effective time management and organizational skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Independently perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Effectively works with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule, which may include evenings, nights, holidays, and/or weekends.

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer. Must be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level is usually moderate.