Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City's evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City toward a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 9,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The New York City Department of Correction is seeking a highly motivated, collaborative and goal-oriented candidate to join the Deputy Commissioner of Management, Analysis, and Planning's team, which focuses Department efforts and strategy in alignment with operational priorities and strategic planning. The Executive Director will work under the Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives and play a key leadership role in the planning and implementation of strategy, large-scale initiatives, cross-team communication, and vision setting for the Department. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Manage large-scale, complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives by developing clear systems and structures to track progress and deliverables.

• Evaluate project progress and results and report them to leadership, ensuring that changes to scope, resources, and risks are communicated in a timely way.

• Work directly with Senior Leadership to identify and prioritize opportunities and risks associated with projects.

• Direct and coordinate work efforts of cross-functional teams, ensuring that work adheres to set requirements and is achieved by project deadlines.

• Supervise and manage the Strategic Initiatives team, including Directors, Project Managers and Project Coordinators.

• Partner with research and data analysis teams to develop operational plans and evaluation criteria for projects.

• Serve as a liaison with executives to ensure that organizational goals are met.

• Drive strategic partnership and planning discussions/meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

• Proactively problem solve issues to fast-track creative solutions.

• Resolve technical and operational issues as required.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

1.A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and four years of full-time experience in corrections, social work, psychology, law, public administration, law enforcement, or a related field providing direct services to an inmate or detention population within a correctional or related facility, at least one (1) year of which must have been in a responsible supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity; or

2.A high school diploma or evidence of having passed a high school equivalency examination and six (6) years of full-time experience as described above; or

3.Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Service as an inmate in correctional or related facility may be substituted for a portion of the required experience up to a maximum of two years on a year for year basis. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, psychology, law, criminal justice or public administration which includes a field placement performing duties as described above, may be substituted for up to one year of full-time experience as described in "1" above. However, all candidates must have at least two years of full-time experience as described in "1" above, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.

Preferred Skills

• Experience implementing and managing a diverse portfolio of projects.

• Experience managing diverse teams with diverse skillsets and backgrounds.

• Understanding of operations of a correctional facility and best practices.

• Ability to quickly learn, understand and apply new methodologies.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills along with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high volume environment.

• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.

• Excellent meeting, workshop, and conference facilitation skills, with proven knowledge of how to foster attendee participation and collaboration in small and large groups.

• Fluency in data analysis approaches and terminology.

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft suite and knowledge of applicable project management software.

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.