Director of Policy Development and Special Initiatives, Division of Housing Policy

About the Agency:


The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the citys housing and diversity and strength in the citys neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love.


- We maintain building and resident safety and health

- We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability

- We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity.


HPD is entrusted with fulfilling these objectives through the goals and strategies of Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness Mayor Adams comprehensive housing framework. To support this important work the administration has committed $5 billion in new capital funding bringing the 10-year planned investment in housing to $22 billion the largest in the citys history. This investment coupled with a commitment to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers is a multi-pronged strategy to tackle New York Citys complex housing crisis by addressing homelessness and housing instability promoting economic stability and mobility increasing homeownership opportunities improving health and safety and increasing opportunities for equitable growth.

HPDs Office of Policy and Strategy (OPS) leverages its expertise to guide and support HPD and its many offices in their efforts to deepen their impact optimize their efficiency and become more data-driven climate-adaptive and mission-focused. The Division of Housing Policy (DHP) within OPS conducts rigorous policy and data analysis to advance sound housing policy to advance HPDs mission in service of all New Yorkers. DHP analyzes proposed legislation develops new policy and programs and supports efforts to reform existing policy and programs. DHP is a fast-paced engaged and ambitious team at the intersection of many of the most important policy issues impacting New York City.


Within DHP the Policy Development and Special Initiatives unit (PDSI) collaborates with teams across the agency to assess policy proposals design new initiatives and review the impacts of existing and proposed legislation on HPDs work. The Director of PDSI will report to the Assistant Commissioner for Housing Policy managing a team of policy analysts and policy advisors working directly with stakeholders at all levels inside and outside the agency. The director will serve as the primary point of contact for policy analysis projects and cross-agency initiatives and will work closely with both the Assistant Commissioner and the members of the Division on a daily basis in a rigorous growth-oriented and supportive environment.


The Director will:

- Lead a team of policy analysts and advisors building and maintaining a culture of rigor collaboration and inclusivity;

- Provide strategic direction for teams work ensuring alignment with agency priorities;

- Leverage expertise within DHP and OPS more broadly to incorporate complex analytical concepts findings and financial modeling into policy recommendations for a variety of audiences;

- Establish and maintain effective communication with internal and external partners to inform decision-making;

- Participate in working groups and meetings with team and agency leadership to support the development of and generate support for policy recommendations;

- In coordination with the Assistant Commissioner develop team policies and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient management of the teams work; and

- Undertake critical special projects/initiatives as requested by the Assistant Commissioner.



Preferred Skills:


- Very strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as creativity and grit;

- Strong understanding of local state and federal housing policy particularly in the New York City context and/or other large American cities;

- Very strong leadership skills with the ability to build team culture provide feedback and build capacity among individual team members;

- Very strong people skills with the ability to build relationships influence others to achieve outcomes and thrive in a team environment;

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including ability to present/convey complex concepts effectively;

- Fluency in analyzing and translating quantitative data qualitative research legal language and/or legislative materials into clear policy implications and strategic recommendations;

- Proven experience managing complex projects across teams and competing timelines while balancing multiple priorities;

- Ability to adapt and work under pressure and restrictive deadlines in an atmosphere of intense activity;

- Passion for public service; and

- A demonstrated equity lens and commitment to inclusion with an openness to diverse perspectives a willingness to challenge ones own assumptions and a focus on continuous learning


We serve New York City best when our team mirrors the diversity and varied strengths of the population we serve. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROJECT DIRECTO - 9556A

Qualifications :

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of experience in one or more of the following areas: community organization social work urban development projects real estate public administration or a related field of which two years must have been in a field directly related to neighborhood improvement such as housing community organization urban renewal or planning or real estate. A Law Degree or graduate work in an appropriate field may be substituted for up to two years of the general experience required; or

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to 1 including part-time and/or volunteer experience.

Additional Information :

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 individuals sex race color ethnicity national origin age religion disability sexual orientation veteran status gender identity or pregnancy.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time