Policy Strategist

About Nava

About Nava Nava is a consultancy and public benefit corporation working to make government services simple and effective. Since 2015, federal, state, and local agencies have trusted Nava to help solve highly scrutinized technology modernization challenges. As a client services company, we guide agencies constrained by legacy systems to a future with sharp user experiences built on secure, reliable, fault-tolerant cloud infrastructure. We bill for our time, offering our expertise and problem-solving approach to help our government partners enhance their digital products and services. Through human-centered design and modern engineering best practices, we help our government partners understand user needs and deliver on their missions more effectively. Nava is at the forefront of reimagining how our government serves its people, and we’re looking for a Policy Strategist to help us increase our impact within government. Policy Strategists at Nava help teams navigate complex policy environments by turning policy into decisions, tradeoffs, and actionable direction. We work across disciplines—including product, design, and engineering—to ensure systems are compliant, effective, and grounded in real-world policy and program operations. For this position, you will support an integrated eligibility platform, with work spanning application intake, notices, eligibility decisions, and case management.

Policy Strategist Role

You bring experience analyzing Medicaid policy and can translate that analysis into practical recommendations. You can independently research federal and state requirements, explain what is required and where choices exist, and help colleagues decide how to proceed. You are comfortable identifying needed policy work and agreeing on priorities with a team that may not have worked with a policy strategist before. You have the ability to develop research plans, and synthesize analyses into concrete recommendations that positively impact service experience outcomes. You stay up to date about technology, legislation, and policy trends, and care deeply about improving the way government programs operate.

• Skilled at interpreting policy and using the findings to improve program processes, operations, or technology
• Comfortable identifying policy questions, proposing an approach, and making progress when the work is not fully defined
• Policy Translation & Implementation
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate policy into system behavior, workflows, and user experiences
• Identify regulatory constraints, risks, and ambiguities—including edge cases, eligibility requirements, and business rules—and propose solutions that balance compliance, user experience, and delivery needs
• policy briefs, decision frameworks, process flows) to support decision-making and prioritization
• Support testing and validation of policy implementation (e.g., scenario and edge case testing)
• Conduct landscape and cross-jurisdictional research to monitor evolving policies and translate them into implications for implementation, technology, and engagement opportunities
• Build relationships with external partners to exchange implementation lessons, develop joint work, and create opportunities to share Nava’s policy expertise

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in policy analysis, or a combination of relevant graduate-level education and experience
• Hands‑on experience independently researching and interpreting policy using statutes, regulations, or authoritative agency guidance, and applying that analysis to program or implementation decisions
• Self‑directed and comfortable working independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical and policy contexts
• Ability to document research processes, findings, and recommendations clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner
• Experience with Medicaid eligibility and enrollment policy, such as applications, verification, renewals, eligibility decisions, notices, or appeals
• Experience working within agile delivery and human-centered design processes (sprint ceremonies, design reviews, user research)
• Graduate degree in public policy, public administration, or related field
• Legal authorization to work in the United States
• Work authorization that doesn’t require visa sponsorship, now or in the future
• May be subject to a government background check or security clearance, depending on the contract

Benefits

• Health coverage — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to support your overall health needs
• Insurance coverage — Nava provides disability, life, and accidental death insurance at no cost
• Time off — vacation, holidays (including Juneteenth), and floating holidays to rest and recharge
• Company holidays — enjoy 12 paid federal holidays each year on top of your regular PTO
• Annual bonus — when Nava meets its goals, eligible employees receive a performance-based annual bonus
• Wellness program — full platform offering physical, mental, & emotional health resources & support tools
• Virtual care — see doctors online with no copay through a virtual visit program (depending on available providers)
• Sabbatical leave — earn extended unpaid leave after continuous service for personal growth or rest
• 401(k) match — Nava matches 4% of your salary to support your retirement savings plan
• Flexible work — remote-first environment with flexibility built around your schedule and responsibilities
• Home office setup — company laptop & setup assistance provided via Staples for remote work needs
• Utility support — monthly reimbursement to help offset eligible home office utility expenses
• Learning opportunities — internal training programs and resources to help grow your professional skills
• Development opportunities — LinkedIn Learning access & an annual allowance for courses, tuition, & certs
• Referral bonus — get rewarded when you refer great people who join the Nava team
• Commuter benefits — pre-tax commuter programs to support in-office travel when applicable
• Supportive culture — A collaborative and remote-friendly team environment where people genuinely care

Location

We have fully remote options if you reside in one of the following states:

Equal Employment Opportunity

Nava is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, gender and/or gender identity or expression, color, creed, religion, religious creed, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, reproductive health autonomy, pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, marital status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all employees, applicants, contractors, and temporary workers of Nava.