Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Programs, and Research

City of New York • New York City, NY

1d

About The Position

The Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Programs, and Research leads the development, execution, and integration of MOIA’s policy and programmatic work, ensuring that immigrant New Yorkers can access critical services, economic opportunities, and pathways to stability through coordinated City systems. This role oversees a unified portfolio spanning legal services, language access, education, and workforce and economic opportunity, and ensures that policy and programs operate as a cohesive system. This includes aligning service delivery with policy priorities, using real-time program insights to inform decision-making, and ensuring that City initiatives translate into measurable outcomes for immigrant New Yorkers. As a member of MOIA’s Executive Team, the Deputy Commissioner plays a central role in shaping agency strategy, advancing cross-agency initiatives, and strengthening the City’s overall approach to immigrant inclusion and economic stability. The Deputy Commissioner reports to the Chief of Staff and supervises policy and program leadership across the agency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in government, public policy, program management, or a related field, including significant experience managing teams and leading complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing programs and/or policy portfolios at scale, preferably within government or a large public or nonprofit system.
• Proven ability to manage high-pressure work, including responding to emerging issues affecting communities.

Nice To Haves

• Senior policy and program leader with experience managing complex portfolios in government or large mission-driven organizations.
• Strong strategic judgment, operational discipline, and the ability to translate policy into effective implementation.
• Comfortable navigating complex systems, driving cross-agency coordination, and leading in high-pressure, high-visibility environments.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive the strategic direction for MOIA’s policy and programmatic work.
• Ensure alignment between policy development, program implementation, and agency priorities.
• Identify gaps in services and policy and drive strategies to address them.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs serving immigrant New Yorkers.
• Ensure programs are accessible, effective, and responsive to community needs.
• Use program data and outcomes to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.
• Lead development of policy initiatives that improve access to services, strengthen protections, and expand opportunities for immigrant New Yorkers.
• Ensure policy is informed by real-time program insights and community conditions.
• Drive advancement of policy priorities across City government.
• Lead integration of economic justice into MOIA’s policy and program work, including workforce access, worker protections, and pathways to economic stability.
• Align MOIA initiatives with broader City workforce and economic development strategies.
• Identify opportunities to expand access to employment, income stability, and long-term mobility for immigrant New Yorkers.
• Lead coordination with City agencies to align policy and program efforts affecting immigrant communities.
• Ensure MOIA plays a central role in cross-agency initiatives related to service access, legal support, and economic opportunity.
• Drive accountability across agencies to ensure implementation of immigrant-serving initiatives and delivery of results.
• Oversee policy and programmatic responses to emerging issues affecting immigrant communities.
• Ensure continuity of services and coordinated responses during periods of disruption or increased need across City systems.
• Align internal teams and external partners to respond effectively to evolving conditions.
• Supervise policy and program staff, ensuring strong management, accountability, and performance.
• Build systems that support coordination across teams and clear execution of priorities.
• Ensure staff work is aligned with agency strategy and delivers measurable outcomes.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior