First Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff

The Agency You’ll Join:
The New York City Mayor’s Office is responsible for overseeing city services throughout the five boroughs, coordinating public agencies and departments, and managing public property. The administration is leading the fight in making the city more affordable, reducing inequality, improving public safety, ensuring delivery of efficient and effective services, and working to make New York City’s economy stronger. We value leadership, transparency, fairness, and efficiency as we actively seek diverse talents from various sectors to join our team. For current job opportunities, visit our careers page.

The Team You’ll Work With:
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) was established in 1984 and incorporated into the New York City Charter in 2001 to promote the economic, civic, and social integration of immigrant New Yorkers, expand access to justice, and advance policies that strengthen immigrant communities across the city.

MOIA serves as a bridge between city government and immigrant communities by advising on and supporting the development and implementation of policies and programs that improve access to services for immigrant New Yorkers and speakers of other languages. The office partners with City agencies and community organizations to strengthen language access, expand equitable access to services, and advance initiatives that support immigrant communities citywide.

To learn more, visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/

The Problems You’ll Solve:
The First Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff serves as the principal strategic partner to the Commissioner, overseeing the coordination and execution of the agency’s work across divisions. As a key advisor and trusted leader, the First Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff ensures that MOIA’s policy, programmatic, and operational priorities are implemented effectively and efficiently. The First Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff is a member of MOIA’s senior leadership team and works closely with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners to ensure effective management and implementation of the office’s priorities.

In this role, the First Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff oversees Deputy Commissioners and key administrative units, aligns agency strategy with day-to-day execution, and ensures coordination across internal teams, City Hall, and partner agencies. The First Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff translates the Commissioner’s priorities into agency-wide action, manages high-priority initiatives, and ensures that MOIA operates with clarity, accountability, and efficiency.

Specifically, the First Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff will solve for the following:
- Serve as the key advisor to the Commissioner, providing strategic counsel on agency direction, priorities, and operations.
- Oversee the work of Deputy Commissioners and guide cross-divisional initiatives across the agency to ensure alignment with agency priorities.
- Translate agency priorities into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
- Ensure alignment between policy, community engagement, communications, and operations.
- Manage internal decision-making processes and agency-wide strategic planning.
- Lead rapid response to emerging issues affecting immigrant communities.

Key Responsibilities:
- Executive Leadership:
o Serve as the Commissioner’s principal advisor on agency management, strategy, and execution.
o Oversee the work of Deputy Commissioners and ensure alignment across divisions.
o Lead senior staff coordination and ensure effective communication across MOIA.
o Represent the Commissioner in internal and external meetings.

- Strategic Planning and Execution:
o Lead agency strategic planning and ensure priorities translate into operational plans.
o Oversee cross-division initiatives and ensure coordination across policy, programs, and community engagement.
o Monitor implementation of major initiatives and troubleshoot operational barriers.
o Support the Commissioner in advancing key policy priorities across City government.

- Agency Operations:
o Oversee internal operations, including HR and staffing, budgeting, contracts and procurement, and other internal systems.
o Ensure effective project management and operational coordination across teams.
o Establish systems that improve efficiency, accountability, and performance management.
o Support recruitment, staff development, and leadership capacity across MOIA.

- Interagency and External Collaboration:
o Serve as a senior liaison between MOIA and City agencies, City Hall, and external partners.
o Oversee interagency initiatives impacting immigrant communities.
o Support the Commissioner in managing relationships with elected officials, advocates, and community stakeholders.
o Ensure effective coordination across communications, policy, and community engagement teams.

- Program and Initiative Development:
o Support the Commissioner in advancing programs and initiatives that address the needs of immigrant communities.
o Ensure initiatives are aligned with the office’s strategic goals and coordinated across divisions.

- Staff Development and Management:
o Oversee staff supervision and performance management to support professional development and high performance.
o Mentor and supervise staff, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven workplace culture.

- Rapid Response and Crisis Management:
o Coordinate MOIA’s response to emerging issues affecting immigrant communities.
o Ensure rapid internal coordination during policy developments, emergencies, or enforcement actions.
o Work with City Hall and agency partners to ensure aligned public and policy responses.

- Financial and Resource Management:
o Oversee budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation in coordination with the Commissioner and senior leadership.
o Ensure compliance with City financial management and procurement rules.
o Monitor contracts, vendor relationships, and operational expenditures.

- Compliance and Regulatory Oversight:
o Ensure full compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
o Oversee adherence to City financial management, procurement, and contract regulations.

- Flexibility and Additional Duties:
o Undertake additional projects and responsibilities as needed to meet evolving organizational priorities.
o Work with staff to address emerging challenges and opportunities as they arise.

About You:
The ideal candidate is an experienced public sector leader with strong operational and strategic management skills. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to manage complex organizations, lead cross-functional teams, and advance policy priorities in a dynamic government environment.

They will be a clear communicator, strong problem solver, and trusted advisor capable of translating leadership priorities into effective action.

Specific Skills:
- You have strong organizational, strategic thinking, and leadership abilities.
- You have experience in managing operations and projects within a complex organizational structure.
- You are proficient in managing budgets, resources, and staff.
- You can communicate and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.
- You have experience working in or with government agencies or large public institutions.
- You can manage complex policy and operational initiatives simultaneously.
- You have strong political judgment and stakeholder management skills.

Additional Information
- In addition to the resume, a cover letter is required to apply.

Special Assistant (MA)-MGRL - 0668A

- Bachelor's degree required.
- 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in government, nonprofit leadership, public policy, or a related field.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.