EEO Director, Office of the Deputy Commissioner

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene seeks an accomplished attorney and executive leader to direct its Equal Employment Opportunity program. The Director serves as a senior advisor to agency leadership and oversees EEO investigations, policy development, regulatory compliance, employee training, reasonable accommodations, and organizational risk management. The role works closely with executive leadership, Human Resources and Labor Relations, the Office of General Counsel, and external oversight agencies to promote accountability, equitable employment practices, and a respectful workplace. The selected candidate must maintain active membership in good standing with the New York State Bar throughout employment.

The Director establishes EEO program priorities and strategies, oversees compliance with federal, state, and local laws and Citywide policies, and develops policies, procedures, and corrective measures to mitigate organizational risk. The position manages the EEO Office's daily operations, supervises professional staff, sets performance expectations, and supports effective resource management and continuous process improvement. It also oversees mandated reporting, audits, compliance reviews, and internal case records.

The Director oversees investigations into discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and related workplace complaints; reviews findings and recommends determinations to the Commissioner; and oversees the reasonable accommodation process. The role coordinates with DCAS, the NYC Equal Employment Practices Commission, and other regulatory agencies, including responses to external complaints, investigations, and litigation in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel. The Director advances workplace equity initiatives and supports Employee Resource Groups, directs EEO training and education, and advises senior leadership on complex employment and workplace matters.

Requirements

• Active membership in good standing with the New York State Bar throughout employment.
• At least ten years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, and satisfactory legal experience following admission to any bar, including three years in a supervisory capacity.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local EEO laws, employment discrimination regulations, and workplace compliance requirements.
• Significant leadership experience overseeing EEO programs, employment law matters, investigations, or related compliance functions.
• Experience advising executive leadership on complex legal, regulatory, and organizational matters.
• Strong knowledge of discrimination and harassment investigations, reasonable accommodations, and organizational risk management.
• Ability to develop policies, implement strategic initiatives, and promote equitable workplace practices.
• Exceptional communication, analytical, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to supervise professional staff, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment in sensitive matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with HR information systems and electronic case management platforms.
• The stated Executive Agency Counsel qualification requires admission to the New York State Bar and four years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience after admission to any bar, including eighteen months supervising other attorneys in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Department's EEO program, set operational priorities, and develop strategies promoting compliance, accountability, and equitable employment practices.
• Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local EEO laws and Citywide policies; develop policies, procedures, and corrective measures to mitigate organizational risk.
• Maintain internal databases and detailed logs of EEO investigations and reasonable accommodation requests.
• Oversee investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and related workplace complaints; review findings and recommend determinations to the Commissioner.
• Oversee the reasonable accommodation process and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the ADA and City procedures.
• Serve as the Department's principal liaison with DCAS, the NYC Equal Employment Practices Commission, and other regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate responses to external complaints, investigations, and litigation with the Office of General Counsel.
• Advance initiatives to strengthen equal employment opportunity and equitable workforce practices, and support Employee Resource Groups.
• Direct EEO training and education initiatives for employees and management, and develop strategies to implement and monitor compliance with related training, policies, and procedures.
• Advise senior leadership on complex employment matters, regulatory requirements, and workplace concerns.
• Oversee mandated EEO reporting, regulatory audits, and compliance reviews; keep management and staff informed of EEO best practices and ensure accommodation requests and resolutions adhere to City EEO policy.
• Direct the daily operations of the EEO Office, supervise professional staff, establish performance expectations, manage resources, and drive continuous process improvement.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for federal and state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs.
• Premium-free health insurance plan; the posting states this saves employees over $10,000 annually based on a 2024 assessment.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available depending on the position's associated union or benefit fund.
• Public-sector defined-benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• Tax-deferred savings program.
• Worksite Wellness Program.
• Depending on the position, the option to work from home up to two days during the week.
• Job security compared with private-sector employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed