Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, Bureau of Division Management

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Mental Hygiene Division of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is responsible for policy, programs, and provider oversight related to mental health; alcohol and drug use; developmental delays and disabilities; and early intervention services. The work of the Division is informed by the goals of improving clinical and rehabilitative services; integrating mental health, substance use, and primary care; promoting healthy childhood development; reducing racial/ethnic and socioeconomic health inequalities; and promoting recovery. The Bureau of Division Management provides all non-program support for the Division of Mental Hygiene.

Duties Will Include But Not Be Limited to:

Act as the bureau's primary advisor on cross-unit priorities, coordination gaps, and operational risks, providing data-driven and research informed recommendations to the Assistant Commissioner. Conduct literature reviews, data collection, and analysis to develop and recommend new policies and procedures for the bureau. Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of bureau policies, programs, and procedures, including research, epidemiological surveillance, policy development, and programmatic interventions. Oversee and conduct research initiatives to inform strategic planning, program development, and policy recommendations, ensuring alignment with public health best practices and emerging trends. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design and execute research studies, including identifying research questions, developing methodologies, and analyzing findings to support evidence-based decision-making. Establish goals, implementation strategies, data collection methods, and evaluation frameworks for bureau special initiatives, ensuring milestones are met and deadlines are achieved. Design and oversee operational pilot programs requiring coordination across administrative units such as facilities, HR, IT, and labor relations. Support enterprise system migrations by managing stakeholder outreach, developing business requirements, and facilitating cross-bureau change management efforts. Facilitate collaboration on shared initiatives by convening stakeholders, managing decision-making timelines, and ensuring multi-bureau workstreams transition from planning to execution. Serve as a liaison between the bureau and the Executive Deputy Commissioner's office to advance priority initiatives, including grants coordination, division-wide policy implementation, and executive-level projects. Represent the bureau in division-wide and agency-level strategic initiatives, ensuring bureau interests are integrated into broader decision making processes. Chair and facilitate governance bodies for division-wide technology and software decisions, including tool selection, license management, and procurement standards. Convene and support data governance structures to establish division-wide standards for data collection, survey tools, reporting, and research. Oversee the development and implementation of research protocols, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and data governance policies. Analyze and interpret research findings to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for innovation in public health programs and policies. Monitor and communicate the progress of strategic initiatives to internal and external stakeholders through reports, presentations, and updates. Develop presentations, speeches, and briefing materials for the Assistant Commissioner to use with key stakeholders. Support the onboarding and development of bureau leadership by creating and maintaining materials that orient new leaders to bureau systems, norms, and priorities. Identify opportunities for innovation by staying informed on best practices in public health administration, strategic planning, organizational design, and research methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Proven leadership and management experience, including hiring, personnel management, and team development.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex ideas to diverse audiences, including stakeholders, staff, and external partners.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and partnerships across teams and organizations.
• Outstanding organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills, with a keen attention to detail and the ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, with the ability to create professional presentations and reports.
• Experience interpreting and applying programmatic, policy, and research data to inform decision-making and drive organizational goals.
• Commitment to racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with demonstrated experience leading or supporting health equity initiatives in professional or personal settings.
• Extensive experience in public health, including conducting literature reviews, interpreting research and data, and performing policy and stakeholder analyses to inform strategic initiatives.
• Proven ability to meet accelerated or time-sensitive deadlines, manage multiple high-priority projects, and respond to ad hoc requests with efficiency and accuracy.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and applying quantitative and qualitative data to inform organizational strategies and program development.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with a track record of designing and implementing successful initiatives or programs.
• High degree of flexibility, initiative, and adaptability, with the ability to navigate complex challenges and drive organizational success.

Why you should work for us:

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as: o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment. o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund. o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement. o a tax-deferred savings program and o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers! The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

Minimum Qualifications

• For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) 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.

To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:

• 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.

NOTE: Probationary Period Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.