Deputy Commissioner for Municipal Strategy & Policy Innovation

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 for International Affairs serves as the liaison between the City and New York City’s international community, which includes 193 Permanent Missions, 116 Consulates, over 70 Trade Commissions, and the headquarters of the United Nations. The Office functions as a global platform from which the City can promote its goals for a more just and equitable society, showcase the diversity of New Yorkers, and share best practices with the world. The Office also works to foster positive relations and to encourage collaboration between the international community and New York City’s agencies and local neighborhoods.

The Problems You’ll Solve: New York City is uniquely positioned to serve as both a global convener and a driving force in shaping the next generation of progressive urban policy. The Deputy Commissioner will help transform the office into a platform for global municipal leadership, connecting international policy exchange with practical implementation across the New York City government. The role will focus on leveraging city-to-city learning, global municipal networks, and international partnerships to advance the administration’s affordability agenda while strengthening interagency collaboration, public participation, and inclusive local governance. The Deputy Commissioner will:

• Connect with cities across the world advancing bold policies on equity, labor rights, universal childcare, climate action, housing, migration, and public investment, building relationships that support New York City’s policy priorities.
• Build the capacity of the office to serve as a municipal policy learning and innovation hub, actively learning from peer cities and translating global lessons into implementable solutions across New York City agencies.
• Establish systems that ensure global best practices inform New York City’s policymaking while NYC contributes leadership, solidarity, and practical lessons to international municipal networks.
• Coordinate New York City’s engagement in sister-city agreements, municipal delegations, and multilateral city networks, with an emphasis on policy exchange, implementation, and interagency collaboration.
• Work across City agencies to identify opportunities for international partnerships, city-to-city exchanges, and diaspora-focused initiatives that improve the lives of New Yorkers.
• Support a strategy for sustained engagement with diaspora communities, ensuring the City’s diplomatic work reflects the experiences and priorities of New Yorkers.
• Support and supervise a team of Strategic Relationships Directors responsible for fostering productive relationships between New York City and international partners.

About You

• You have deep knowledge of global municipal governance and progressive urban policy.
• You can facilitate international policy exchanges and synthesize innovations from cities around the world.
• You have strong project management, facilitation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• You have demonstrated the ability to build and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• You have experience translating policy ideas into interagency initiatives, pilot programs, or lasting institutional practices.
• You have experience working at the intersection of public policy, social movements, and local government, with the ability to connect international partnerships to the needs of immigrant communities and New York City neighborhoods.

Additional Information

• In addition to the resume, a cover letter is required to apply.

Special Assistant (MA)-MGRL - 0668A

• Master’s degree in public policy, international affairs, urban planning, or a related field required.
• At least 15 years of experience working on international issues, particularly in municipal governance, democratic innovation, urban policy, or social movements.