Associate Director of Rapid Response

City of New York•New York City, NY

About The Position

The Associate Director of Rapid Response plays a critical role in ensuring that MOIA is prepared to respond quickly, effectively, and in coordination with partners to emerging issues affecting immigrant New Yorkers. This role leads the development and execution of MOIA’s rapid response function, including coordinating outreach, communications, and service delivery in response to time-sensitive situations such as federal enforcement actions, policy changes, and other urgent developments impacting immigrant communities. Working closely with the Director of Community Engagement and senior leadership, the Associate Director ensures that MOIA’s response efforts are organized, aligned across teams, and grounded in accurate, timely information. The role also works across City agencies, community partners, and advocacy organizations to ensure that responses are coordinated and that affected communities receive clear information and access to support.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
5+ years of relevant experience in public service, community engagement, policy, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience managing time-sensitive initiatives, coordinating across multiple stakeholders, and operating effectively in high-pressure environments.
Strong problem-solver and communicator with the ability to move quickly, exercise sound judgment, and ensure that complex efforts are executed with clarity and coordination.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and execution of rapid response efforts related to emerging issues affecting immigrant communities.
Coordinate across MOIA teams to align outreach, communications, and programmatic responses.
Serve as a central point of coordination with City agencies and external partners during time-sensitive situations.
Develop and maintain protocols, tools, and systems to support effective rapid response operations.
Ensure that information shared with communities is accurate, timely, and culturally responsive.
Identify trends and emerging risks and support proactive planning efforts.
Lead day-to-day management of MOIA’s rapid response function, ensuring readiness and effective execution.
Coordinate cross-team efforts during active response situations, including outreach, communications, and service delivery.
Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders during rapid response efforts.
Develop and implement protocols, workflows, and tools to strengthen MOIA’s rapid response capacity.
Establish systems for tracking incidents, responses, and outcomes.
Identify opportunities to improve coordination, speed, and effectiveness of response efforts.
Coordinate with City agencies, community-based organizations, and advocacy partners to align response efforts.
Support the development of joint response strategies and ensure consistent messaging and approach.
Ensure that outreach efforts during rapid response situations are targeted, culturally responsive, and accessible.
Support the dissemination of accurate information to affected communities through trusted channels.
Work closely with community engagement teams to ensure alignment with ongoing outreach efforts.
Track emerging issues, enforcement trends, and policy developments affecting immigrant communities.
Provide regular updates and analysis to inform leadership decision-making and proactive planning.
Supervise and support rapid response staff, including managers and/or organizers as applicable.
Provide guidance and coordination to ensure consistent and effective response efforts across teams.
Undertake additional projects and responsibilities as needed to meet evolving organizational priorities.
Support agency-wide initiatives and special projects as required.