Public Policy Manager Jobs in California

Public Policy Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in state government, technology, healthcare, and environmental advocacy across a seniority range from policy analyst to senior director. Sacramento dominates state agency hiring, while San Francisco and Los Angeles anchor roles at major tech companies, advocacy organizations, and health systems such as Kaiser Permanente, Google, and the University of California. The most in-demand specialties include environmental and climate policy, health equity, and technology regulation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles14
Top employerUniversity of California Berkeley
Top cityBerkeley, CA
Cities hiring6
Work type100% Hybrid
Top credentialBachelor's degree

Showing 5 of 14+ Public Policy Manager jobs

Contra Costa Community College District
Adjunct Instructor, Political Science or Law, Public Policy, and Society (TEMPORARY)
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Contra Costa Community College District
Added 1d ago
Adjunct Instructor, Political Science or Law, Public Policy, and Society (TEMPORARY)
Contra Costa Community College District
Martinez, California
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Physical Therapy
Master's degree in sociology
1,001-5,000

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H
Senior Public Relations Manager - Corporate Affairs & Public Policy
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H
Added 3d ago
Senior Public Relations Manager - Corporate Affairs & Public Policy
Higgsfield
San Francisco, California
Brand Marketing
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$180k - $210k/yr
Hybrid

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University of the Pacific
Adjunct Faculty, Public Policy Programs
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University of the Pacific
Added 1w ago
Adjunct Faculty, Public Policy Programs
University of the Pacific
Sacramento, California
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
Master's degree in law
501-1,000

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University of California Berkeley
Lecturer Pool - Health Policy and Management - School of Public Health
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University of California Berkeley
Added 2w ago
Lecturer Pool - Health Policy and Management - School of Public Health
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Health Informatics
Healthcare Administration
Public Health
$74k - $208k/yr
Experience equivalent to degree accepted
10,000+

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Google
Strategic Outreach and Visits Manager, Government Affairs and Public Policy
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Google
Added 3w ago
Strategic Outreach and Visits Manager, Government Affairs and Public Policy
Google
San Francisco, California
Brand Marketing
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$116k - $166k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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See All 14 Public Policy Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Public Policy Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Berkeley
4 jobs
San Francisco
4 jobs
Sacramento
3 jobs
Martinez
1 job
Palm Springs
1 job
Rancho Cucamonga
1 job

Public Policy Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

University of California Berkeley
University of California Berkeley4 open roles
Google
Google2 open roles
University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific2 open roles

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in public policy manager jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, or a related field required
  • Five or more years of experience in public policy, government affairs, or legislative affairs
  • Demonstrated experience engaging California state or local government agencies and legislators
  • Strong written communication skills including policy briefs, white papers, and regulatory comments
  • Ability to build coalitions and manage relationships with diverse external stakeholders
  • Experience with California regulatory processes, rulemaking, or legislative tracking systems

Public Policy Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a public policy manager in California?

Most public policy manager roles in California require a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or a related field, with many senior positions preferring a master's degree such as an MPP or MPA from a California institution. There is no state-issued license for this role, but building direct experience with California's legislature, state agencies, or major advocacy organizations is the clearest path to qualifying for manager-level positions.

Which companies hire public policy managers in California?

Employers hiring public policy managers in California right now include University of California Berkeley, Google, and University of the Pacific, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of major tech headquarters, large health systems, and a full-time state legislature in Sacramento means demand is distributed across sectors rather than limited to government alone.

Which California cities have the most public policy manager jobs?

Berkeley, San Francisco, and Sacramento have the most public policy manager openings in California. Sacramento leads because of its role as the state capital and the density of state agencies, legislative offices, and advocacy organizations headquartered there, while Los Angeles and San Francisco reflect demand from large private employers in technology, healthcare, and entertainment who maintain active government affairs functions.

Are there remote public policy manager jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 100% of public policy manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that much of the work involves research, writing, and stakeholder communication that can be done off-site. Roles requiring regular appearances before California legislative committees or state agencies tend to require in-person presence in Sacramento or Los Angeles.

How can I get hired as a public policy manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a policy analyst or government affairs coordinator role at a California state agency, local government, or large advocacy organization, where you build direct experience with California's regulatory and legislative processes. Completing a fellowship such as the California Senate Fellows or a graduate internship at an agency like the California Air Resources Board or the Department of Health Care Services signals California-specific credibility. An MPP or MPA from a UC or CSU campus also gives candidates a clear edge when applying to manager-track positions.

Where can I find and apply to public policy manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to public policy manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across state agencies, technology companies, health systems, and advocacy organizations. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 14 Public Policy Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Public Policy Manager Jobs