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Director of Connecticut Policy Collaborative

The Role

The Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale University works to strengthen families, communities, and the nation. We enable research on key challenges facing society and bring the resulting insights to the policy arena for impact. We do this by building purpose-driven partnerships across government, engaging with the media, and training a more diverse and inclusive generation of social scientists, technologists, and policy leaders. Our work has been credited with making significant contributions to U.S., state, and local law and policy across health, climate, education, benefits access, and economic opportunity. 

Low-income, low-asset families often face multiple, systemic challenges to success, while the services designed to support them are often fragmented, disconnected, and underextended. Yet, there is great potential for data, evidence, and cross-agency collaboration to improve outcomes and make government more responsive. Building on a multi-year collaboration between the Tobin Center and the state of Connecticut, we’re seeking a Director to lead a high-profile initiative that will shape the future of government innovation and service delivery in Connecticut, foster stronger connections between research and policy, and advance nation-leading innovations that offer an example for peer states to follow. This new initiative will activate Yale’s research and analytic capacity in support of evidence building and policy innovation at the state level. The initiative will also focus on person-centered delivery systems, thoughtful public interest technology transformation, and systemic improvements.

Working with a small team in close collaboration with Tobin Center leadership and a range of state, civic, philanthropic, and academic partners, the Director will lead efforts to identify and oversee the execution of discrete, high-impact projects based on the state’s own goals and informed by resident experience. The Director will also lead innovation to advance broader systems change that enhances state capacity to deliver services, to generate policy insights, and to improve outcomes. More specifically, the Director will engage in tactical efforts related to this initiative, including:

  • Systems Improvement: identify and address structural barriers to service delivery and interagency data collaboration for results
  • Proof Points: identify and deliver on discrete projects that highlight the opportunity of cross-agency collaborations and data use to improve programs and generate actionable insights   
  • State Talent: build on targeted initiatives supporting state capacity, including the Yale Governor’s Fellows Program, the flagship program attracting early-career professionals to Connecticut to work on signature state and agency priorities. Fellows have an immersive experience in state public service, equipping them with the skills and networks to become future public-sector leaders, and enjoy a high placement rate to state permanent positions.

Principal Responsibilities

  • Define and lead the initiative’s strategy and execution (including building out near- and long-term strategic goals) and implement opportunities for innovation and/or effective practice in Connecticut state government.
  • Evaluate opportunities to advance modern approaches in government (including the use of data, behavioral insights, evidence-based policymaking, and emerging technologies), determining risks and opportunities in order to prioritize projects accordingly.
  • Lead and coordinate Tobin Center engagement with CT agency and Governor’s office partners to evaluate, prioritize, support, and implement successful projects, working with Tobin CEO and substantive area leads (i.e. Smarter Benefits Lab)
  • Where appropriate, match state priorities and projects with interest and capacity at Yale and the broader higher education ecosystem.
  • Manage multiple workstreams, ensuring projects are effectively scoped, executed, and aligned with broader policy objectives.
  • Evaluate impact and facilitate knowledge-sharing by distilling lessons learned, developing best practices, and promoting government innovation.
  • Lead a small and high-performing team, providing mentorship, oversight, and clear strategic direction.
  • Identify funding opportunities and work with partners to sustain and expand the initiative.
  • Engage with external stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and the media, to amplify the initiative’s impact and share insights.

Required Education and Experience

  • At least 8+ years of experience working in government, policy, or a related field.
  • Strong track record of designing and leading programs that drive public sector innovation.
  • Experience managing teams and coordinating multiple streams of work in complex environments.
  • Deep understanding of government systems, policymaking, and program implementation.

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Graduate degree in a related field.
  • 10+ years of relevant experience, including leadership roles in government or government-adjacent initiatives.
  • Experience leading projects that use data, technology, and evidence-based approaches to improve public programs.
  • Familiarity with Connecticut’s state government and key policy areas.
  • Experience managing talent development programs, fellowships, or workforce initiatives.

Skills & Abilities

  • An entrepreneurial leader in public innovation, with experience building and managing programs (including hiring and supervising teams) that improve public services. Proven ability to act decisively and clearly in the face of ambiguity, synthesizing a broad array of existing work and potential additional work to identify, and work toward, overarching strategic goals.

  • A strategic relationship builder and engaging communicator with a demonstrated ability to create, manage, and sustain partnerships across government agencies, policymakers, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, private philanthropy, business leaders, and higher education institutions. Experience structuring collaborations that strengthen and expand a program’s reach.

  • A flexible, resourceful, and well-organized program manager, skilled at designing, coordinating, and executing multi-faceted and complex policy initiatives. Ability to navigate government systems and policy processes, anticipate challenges, develop proactive solutions, and ensure key stakeholders remain engaged and aligned with program goals.

  • Ability to think independently and offer constructive upward feedback, ensuring that programs and initiatives are continuously refined and optimized for impact.

  • Fluency in communicating evidence-based social science research, with demonstrated expertise in translating complex economic and public policy issues into accessible insights for non-academic audiences, policymakers, and government stakeholders. Experience integrating research into program design and implementation.

To Apply

Search for job number 94672BR on Yale University's STARS Career Opportunities website and follow the instructions.