Director of Intergovernmental Affairs & Special Projects

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is seeking a dynamic, self-driven, and experienced professional to serve as the agency's liaison to elected officials, government offices, and City Hall. The Director of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) will play a critical role in shaping and executing the agency’s intergovernmental strategy to foster small business development, enhance commercial corridor vibrancy, and advance workforce development.

Primary Responsibilities Will Include But Are Not Limited To

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, community boards, and the Mayor’s Office of City, State, and Federal Legislative Affairs.
• Work with the agency’s senior leadership team in developing and executing on the agency’s intergovernmental affairs strategy, including SBS’s legislative and policy priorities.
• Track, monitor, and respond to legislation, hearings, and policies relevant to SBS’s work.
• Represent SBS and participate in meetings and events with elected officials, inter agency task forces, and other coordinated efforts.
• Support the Commissioner's meetings and events with elected officials by preparing briefing documents and collaborating with internal and external teams.
• Oversee correspondence and resolve inquiries from elected officials, community boards, and government agencies by working with departmental teams.
• Review and transmit compliance reports to the City Council, ensuring all reports meet deadlines and adhere to agency standards.
• Facilitate and lead coordination across agency-wide advisory task forces and commissions, whether formed to serve key constituencies or focus on specific policy areas.
• Responsible for special projects assigned by the Commissioner and/or Chief of Staff as needed.
• Prepare the Commissioner and senior leadership for legislative and budget hearings, including researching topics, drafting testimonies, and compiling briefing materials.
• Manage IGA team members including a Deputy Director, an Assistant Director, and an IGA Liaison.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U. S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and four years of satisfactory, full-time community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, at least two years of which must have been in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibility for planning, organizing, coordinating, developing, evaluating and/or administering a large community service program or activity; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and eight years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above, at least two years of which must have been in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibilities as described in "1" above; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Undergraduate education above the high school level may be substituted for the community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, but not for the two years of broad administrative or policy-making experience described in "1" above, at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university (as described above) for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 4 years. Graduate education beyond the baccalaureate degree may be substituted for the community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, but not for the two years of broad administrative or policy-making experience described in "1" above, on the basis of 30 graduate credits from an accredited college or university (as described above) for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 2 years. However, all candidates must possess a four-year high school diploma or its educational
  
  

equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and two years of full-time experience in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibilities as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Understanding of the legislative process in the city, state, and federal governments - Experience working in intergovernmental affairs or with elected official offices - Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills required - Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in team environment - Strong project management and time management skills - Ability to prioritize assignments, handle multiple projects simultaneously to completion, and work under pressure against tight deadlines - Ability to actively listen, synthesize information and communicate effectively with all levels of staff and external stakeholders - Ability to research complex issues and synthesize information into internal and external communications quickly and effectively and - Discretion and excellent judgment to handle sensitive and confidential matters - Ability to work flexible hours and occasional weekends
  
  

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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 individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.