Job Overview

As a senior-level position, a Review Director works under the Deputy Director for Reviews to help guide the course of Sunset reviews of state agencies. A Review Director oversees multiple Sunset reviews simultaneously, encouraging and motivating each team to collaborate to meet review objectives and facilitating the professional growth of team members. Review Directors are accountable to the Deputy Director for Reviews for ensuring consistent, quality, and timely reviews by helping teams identify problems and develop workable report findings and recommendations that are logical, accurate, and clearly and persuasively written. 

As part of the legislative process, a Review Director assists project managers in communicating with the legislature, both orally and in writing, at times helping navigate situations requiring tact and discretion. A Review Director maintains awareness of Sunset legislation on all agencies under review to be able to communicate with members of the legislature to help address any concerns affecting multiple reviews. 

In addition to overseeing Sunset reviews, a Review Director serves as a supervisor for assigned staff, including conducting their performance evaluations. A Review Director may supervise or lead internal teams or special projects and perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the agency. Periodic travel and occasional long hours are components of this job. 

Qualifications

Required 
Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree
• At least five years of full-time supervisory experience 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the organization and functioning of Texas state government, including the legislative process 
• Knowledge of qualitative research techniques, including interviewing
• Skill to review or monitor the work of others to ensure it meets quality and timeliness standards, to give clear and direct constructive feedback, and to provide mentoring and coaching to develop the skills of others
• Skill in grammar usage and report writing 
• Skill in interview techniques and navigating situations requiring discretion 
• Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating high levels of organization and time management skills, and to identify the need to reallocate workload
• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with others in an effort to achieve common goals
• Ability to communicate information accurately, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing 
• Ability to think critically and synthesize information to make sound arguments, conclusions, and recommendations
• Ability to be non-partisan, objective, and make recommendations irrespective of one’s personal beliefs
• Ability to adapt one’s own style of leadership and communication as needed to create a collaborative and positive work environment 
• Ability to have Sunset’s perspective in mind and understand how any decision will impact Sunset overall
• Ability to manage cyclical, variable work, including working under pressure to manage multiple work assignments with tight project deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in public policy, law, social sciences, business administration, or a similar field
• Experience working for the State of Texas in a program evaluation, policy analysis, audit, legal, government relations, or other relevant role

Work Environment

Small, professional office located in the Capitol Complex in downtown Austin with parking. 

Benefits

• State of Texas benefits package, including health insurance, employer-matched retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick leave. Dental, vision, and disability insurance; health and dependent care savings accounts; 401(K); and an employee assistance program are also available. 
• Hybrid remote work based on needs of job. 
• Merit increases, bonuses, and opportunities to advance based on individual performance and initiative. 
• Emphasis on professional development, both through in-house training and opportunities to attend external training sessions, workshops, and seminars.
• $2,000 relocation bonus for new hires residing 250 miles or more from Austin, TX.

About the Organization

Sunset staff is composed of program evaluation professionals that support the Sunset Commission by performing reviews of state agencies and assisting in the legislative process. The staff work in teams led by a Project Manager and overseen by a Review Director to conduct independent analyses of state agencies to give the commission an outside evaluation of opportunities to better organize and operate state services. We are a fun, hard-working team of intellectually curious people who believe in our mission to improve government operations. The Sunset Commission is an equal opportunity employer. 

How to Apply

Please visit our website for details on the application process.