Budget and Policy Analyst

Budget and Policy Analyst Remote (USA) Job Summary

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Budget and Policy Analyst to support financial planning, budget development, policy research, fiscal analysis, and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate will evaluate budgets and policy proposals, analyze financial and operational data, prepare reports and recommendations, and work with internal stakeholders to ensure resources are aligned with organizational priorities.

This is a fully remote position open to candidates located in the United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, analyze, and monitor departmental and organizational budgets.

• Conduct financial, fiscal, and policy research to support strategic planning and decision-making.

• Analyze proposed legislation, regulations, policies, and programs for financial and operational impact.

• Prepare budget forecasts, variance analyses, financial models, and spending projections.

• Monitor actual expenditures against approved budgets and identify significant variances.

• Research historical financial data, economic trends, funding sources, and program performance.

• Prepare executive-level budget reports, policy briefs, presentations, and recommendations.

• Support annual and long-term budget planning processes.

• Evaluate program costs, funding requirements, resource allocation, and potential cost-saving opportunities.

• Develop financial scenarios and conduct cost-benefit and impact analyses.

• Track federal, state, and local policy developments that may affect budgets, programs, or organizational operations.

• Collaborate with finance, government relations, operations, program management, legal, and executive teams.

• Respond to budget and policy inquiries from internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Maintain accurate budget records, financial databases, forecasts, and supporting documentation.

• Identify financial risks, policy implications, and opportunities for improving resource utilization.

• Assist with grants, government funding, contracts, and compliance-related financial analysis when applicable.

• Develop and improve analytical tools, reporting processes, and budget-management procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.

• 2 5 years of experience in budgeting, financial analysis, policy analysis, public administration, government affairs, or a related field.

• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, pivot tables, formulas, and data analysis.

• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and variance analysis.

• Excellent research, writing, and presentation skills.

• Ability to analyze complex financial and policy information and communicate findings clearly.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with remote teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, or Business Administration.

• Experience with government, nonprofit, healthcare, education, consulting, or highly regulated organizations.

• Knowledge of federal, state, or local budgeting processes.

• Experience with fiscal impact analysis, program evaluation, or cost-benefit analysis.

• Familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python, or other data-analysis tools.

• Experience working with ERP, financial-management, or budgeting systems.

• Knowledge of government grants, appropriations, or public-sector funding is a plus.

• Relevant certifications such as CFA, CPA, CGFM, or PMP are a plus.

Core Skills

Budget & Finance: Budget Development, Financial Analysis, Forecasting, Variance Analysis, Financial Modeling, Cost Analysis, Resource Allocation

Policy: Policy Research, Policy Analysis, Legislative Analysis, Regulatory Analysis, Fiscal Impact Analysis, Program Evaluation

Data & Analytics: Excel, SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau, Data Visualization, Trend Analysis

Research: Economic Research, Government Research, Market Analysis, Data Collection, Quantitative Research

Communication: Policy Briefs, Executive Reports, Presentations, Stakeholder Management, Technical Writing

Project Management: Budget Planning, Project Coordination, Risk Analysis, Process Improvement, Cross-Functional Collaboration

Key Performance Indicators

• Accuracy and timeliness of budget forecasts and financial reports.

• Effective monitoring and management of budget variances.

• Quality and usefulness of policy and fiscal analysis.

• Timely completion of budget-planning deliverables.

• Identification of cost-saving and resource-optimization opportunities.

• Clear communication of financial and policy recommendations to leadership.

Work Environment

This is a remote-first position requiring strong analytical, organizational, communication, and time-management skills. The Budget and Policy Analyst will work with distributed teams and stakeholders across the United States and must be comfortable managing multiple priorities independently in a virtual environment.

Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Remote United States
Department: Finance / Policy / Strategy
Experience Level: Analyst / Mid-Level