Director of Strategy and Planning, Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Mental Hygiene (DMH) is seeking an experienced, systems-minded leader to serve as Director of Strategy and Planning within the Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner (EDC). This role is where the Division's strategic vision meets the discipline to execute it, ensuring that DMH’s priorities are translated into coordinated action across its bureaus, that complex cross-functional initiatives move from planning to execution, and that the Division operates with the structure, rigor, and equity focus required to serve all New Yorkers well.

Requirements

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, program management, or organizational leadership, with demonstrated expertise in behavioral health or public health systems.
• Proven track record of leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in government, healthcare, or large mission-driven organizations, from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Experience with performance management frameworks, data-informed planning, and grant or budget oversight.
• Supervisory experience required.
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
• A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to '1' or '2' above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in '2' above.
• Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in '1' and '2' above.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of New York City and New York State behavioral health policy, Medicaid, and the landscape of community-based and government behavioral health providers preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of priority cross-bureau and cross-division initiatives as directed by the Executive Deputy Commissioner and Executive Director of the Office, ensuring clear workplans, accountability structures, and measurable outcomes.
• Convene stakeholders across DMH bureaus to drive alignment, manage decision-making timelines, and ensure that multi-bureau workstreams move efficiently from planning to implementation.
• Support the EDC and division leadership in organizational priority-setting, including development and tracking of the Division’s annual operational goals, performance metrics, and strategic plan.
• Lead or support planning, implementation, and evaluation of key divisional policies, programs, and procedures, applying a strong equity lens to assess impact on communities most affected by behavioral health disparities.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to design and execute research studies, evaluations, and needs assessments that address behavioral health disparities and inform policy and program development.
• Identify and support strategic grants and funding opportunities that advance divisional priorities, coordinating with relevant bureaus and agency partners to develop proposals and manage award execution.
• Directly supervise and mentor a Strategic Initiatives Manager and Senior Planning Analyst, fostering a high-performing team culture and supporting staff professional development.

Benefits

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance.
• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Job Security

What This Job Offers

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