Innovation Analyst (Operations and Policy Analyst 3) (Limited Duration).

About the position Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, is recruiting for an Innovation Analyst (Operations and Policy Analyst 3) (Limited Duration) position. Drive Oregon’s Future of Innovation! Join us in optimizing the state’s Innovation Plan by supporting the Oregon Innovation Council and its groundbreaking programs. This role puts you at the center of economic development, emerging technologies, and collaborative partnerships with industry leaders, universities, and entrepreneur support organizations. If you’re passionate about fostering innovation and supporting impactful projects, this is your opportunity to make a statewide difference. This is a Limited Duration position currently approved through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of it being extended. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current position and may be used to fill future vacancies. Note: We are committed to fostering a supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance and flexibility. This hybrid role offers remote work options, with the expectation of occasional in-office presence as needed to support business operations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and coordinate innovation projects under Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC), including supporting Centers of Innovation Excellence (CIE) projects funded by the Legislature and ensuring alignment with other Oregon InC programs and partners.
• Oversee project budgets, schedules, and contracts, monitoring performance, verifying deliverables, and executing approved changes to scope, quality, budget, or timelines.
• Evaluate program effectiveness by assessing CIE operational performance, identifying improvement opportunities, and managing risk throughout project lifecycles.
• Develop and maintain program data systems to track CIE-supported companies and commercialization, funding outcomes, and post-engagement impacts.
• Administer disbursements and compliance, reviewing payment requests, validating supporting documentation, and ensuring recipients meet reporting and audit requirements.
• Compile and validate performance metrics to document return on the state’s investment, ensuring accuracy and resolving metric-related issues with supported organizations.
• Support governance and reporting, including working on Oregon InC meetings (including Audit & Accountability Committee), and preparing reports and briefings for Oregon InC, agency management and the Legislature.
• Advance program and policy improvements, benchmarking other states’ practices, recommending regulatory and operational updates, and developing tools (handbooks, forms, checklists, outreach materials).
• Represent the department and coordinate stakeholders, engaging with partner agencies, regional organizations, the Governor’s Office, legislators, and others to drive collaboration and outcomes.

Requirements

• Any combination of experience and education equivalent to seven years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.
• OR A bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for knowledge and skills; and four years’ professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work Nice-to-haves
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, including budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Proven experience evaluating program performance and recommending improvements based on data.
• Skilled in preparing reports and presenting information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, ensure compliance, and verify data integrity.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with diverse public and private organizations and partners, including industry leaders, universities, and legislative stakeholders.

Benefits

• Family Friendly Work Life Balance: Paid time off, 11 holidays, 3 personal days & optional short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Take Care of Yourself and Your Family: Comprehensive employee benefits, choice of medical plans, vision plan, life insurance, employee assistance program.
• Invest in Your Future: Pension plan, deferred comp, short- and long-term disability plan, flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Be Appreciated: Employee recognition events, agency unique employee recognition program allowing for additional leave options such as vacation buy-out and sick leave roll-over, dynamic employees doing impactful work. Apply tot his job

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