Senior Advisor and Director, Workforce Development Board

City of New York•New York, NY

About The Position

The Senior Advisor and Director of the NYC Workforce Development Board (WDB) advises and manages priorities for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent). Reporting to the Chief Policy and Programs Officer, the role helps align public and private workforce development efforts to improve access to good-paying careers, support employers, and strengthen the local economy. It ensures the City’s compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), supports WIOA program improvements, and analyzes and advocates for related policy changes. The position supervises a team of one. The Director leads Board governance and compliance, including Board composition and recertification, the WIOA Local Plan, official records and policies, conflicts-of-interest filings, and One-Stop Career Center recertification. The role oversees Board meetings and related briefings and documentation, and coordinates with City agencies, state partners, employers, and other stakeholders. The position also manages oversight of WIOA funding, audits, fiscal utilization, performance measures, and WARN notices; advises on strategies to expand equitable access to workforce services; supports employer engagement and resource development; and represents NYC Talent in regional and statewide workforce policy settings. The role prepares written materials and presentations and may serve as a spokesperson or representative in public forums.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or 10+ years of related work experience as an alternative route described in the posting.
At least 8 years of experience in government, public policy, legal, or intergovernmental affairs, with at least 3 years in a managerial capacity; alternatively, at least 10 years of related work experience with at least 3 years in a managerial capacity.
Extensive knowledge of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Integrity, credibility, and demonstrated commitment to NYC Talent’s mission and goals.
Commitment to increasing equitable access to jobs in growing sectors for New Yorkers.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including formal presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
Ability to confidently represent NYC Talent when presenting to senior-level public- and private-sector partners.
Ability to quickly absorb complex technical concepts and brief internal staff and senior external stakeholders.
Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
Thorough knowledge of and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Self-starter who contributes positively to a collaborative learning culture and can perform a broad range of tasks in a dynamic, rapidly responsive organization.

Nice To Haves

Preferred knowledge of New York City’s workforce development landscape, including youth and adult WIOA programs.
Experience working in workforce development is preferred.
Preferred knowledge of the labor market and in-demand occupations.
Master’s degree in Public Administration, public policy, Juris Doctorate, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as Director of the NYC Workforce Development Board and support its oversight of WIOA funding and performance, coordinating with the NYC Department of Small Business Services and the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.
Serve as the primary subject matter expert on WIOA, ensuring funded activities comply with applicable laws and regulations and managing Board governance requirements.
Interpret and communicate federal and state WIOA policy guidance, including funding levels, and support advocacy for policy and legislative changes.
Advise the Board, NYC Talent, and City leaders on using WIOA to advance economic mobility, improve access for underserved populations, reduce racial and geographic disparities, and address barriers to employment.
Monitor Board composition and manage biannual Board recertification to maintain compliance and good standing with NYSDOL.
Lead development, submission, and strategic updates of the four-year WIOA Local Plan; oversee updates to the local priority occupation list and monitor resulting system impacts and policy requirements.
Oversee meeting minutes, resolutions, bylaws, internal and system-wide policies, and procedural directives.
Facilitate annual Conflicts of Interest Board disclosure and filings for Board members.
Manage Workforce1 One-Stop Career Center recertification to ensure service quality and compliance.
Plan and oversee logistics, documentation, and facilitation for formal Board meetings; brief City agencies and Board members and ensure required documents and compliance-related changes are completed.
Oversee the Project Manager Employer Engagement and any strategy or partner-relations consultant support for the Board.
Lead USDOL and NYSDOL audits, coordinate agency document submissions, and ensure audit findings are addressed.
Track federal and state WIOA Youth and Adult/Dislocated Worker funding allocations and monitor system-wide fiscal health and utilization.
Monitor and process WARN notices and, where possible, identify opportunities to connect dislocated workers with Workforce1 services; coordinate with NYSDOL’s Rapid Response team.
Negotiate local performance accountability measures with NYSDOL and monitor performance with the Small Business Services and Youth and Community Development departments.
Provide technical assistance to NYC Talent Industry Partnerships to maximize businesses’ use of WIOA-funded programs, particularly in priority sectors.
Support strategies to leverage WIOA with other City, state, and federal funding, including public grants, private partnerships, and philanthropic funding.
Represent NYC on NYSDOL Statewide WDB Directors’ monthly calls.
Co-chair the Regional Business Services Team and plan and lead quarterly meetings with state and City agency stakeholders.
Review and coordinate responses to stakeholder requests for letters of support for state and federal funding applications.
As needed, represent NYC Talent as a spokesperson, representative, or ambassador; advocate for its initiatives; and prepare memos, presentation materials, and other written materials for external meetings and public speaking engagements.
Supervise a team consisting of one staff member.