Chief of Staff

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life by providing funding and support to New York City’s cultural community, including the 34 institutions that comprise the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and more than 1,150 non-profit cultural organizations that receive regular annual support. This constituency represents a diverse array of organizations - including performing arts groups, museums, theaters, zoos, botanical gardens, visual arts and film centers, community-based organizations, and arts education programs – that are central to the life of communities in every corner of New York City. DCLA also manages a significant portfolio of cultural capital projects; provides free donated materials and supplies for arts programs and arts educators through its Materials for the Arts program; provides capacity building and technical assistance support to cultural groups; and commissions works of permanent public art through the City’s Public Art Program.

The Chief of Staff at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs will have a broad scope of responsibilities that require management of senior team members, intergovernmental affairs, exercising discretion, taking independent initiative, partnering with DCLA business units to implement special projects and to streamline operational processes so they are more efficient and effective. The Chief of Staff will play a key role helping to manage, devise and implement the agency’s strategic initiatives and related management protocols.

Diverse responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Working closely with Senior Leadership to achieve the agency’s goals, negotiating the budget, and serving as a key liaison between the agency and City Hall, city agencies, cultural institutions, and other external stakeholders.
• Assisting in the coordination and management of the agency’s administrative operations, and staff compliance with the City’s fiscal policies and procedures, including coordinating agency-wide communication, management development and professional support.
• Representing the Agency in oversight of constituent organizations, fostering strong relationships with those organizations, and providing support in management and board governance issues.
• Executing discrete projects which include drafting memos, background documents, presentation materials, reports, and policy recommendations for complex issues.

Preferred skills:

The preferred candidate must have excellent writing, analytical and research abilities, along with demonstrated organizational, computer and communication skills. The ability to efficiently handle and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines and changing priorities is critical as is attention to detail. Knowledge of and experience working with the City’s budget, legislative issues, and not-for-profit cultural organizations is essential. Knowledge of policy analysis and relationship management skills preferred. Administrative, development or public affairs experience, preferably in the government or not-for-profit context, is important. The ability to deal with a diverse constituency both independently and as a team member is essential. Strong knowledge of City government is essential to success in this role.

NOTE: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. For more information about DCLA visit us at: www.nyc.gov/culture

All appointments are subject to OMB approval

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.