About the Office The Office of the New York City Comptroller serves as the City’s chief fiscal steward, responsible for auditing City agencies, managing pension funds, overseeing contracts, and advancing policy solutions that promote equity, transparency, and effective government. Under Comptroller Mark Levine’s leadership, the Office is focused on strengthening public systems, improving affordability, and delivering effective and equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers.
Position Overview The Policy Director for Equity and Inclusion will lead the Comptroller’s policy, oversight, and strategic initiatives related to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), financial inclusion and education, workforce equity, and banking equity—including strategies to expand access to capital through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other mission-driven lenders.
This role supports data-driven oversight and policy development to strengthen financial access and literacy citywide, expand opportunities for historically underrepresented businesses and workers, and enhance transparency and accountability in public spending.
The Policy Director will sit within the Policy Bureau and collaborate closely with colleagues across audit, budget, legal, contracts, asset management, HR, and oversight teams to conduct original research, advise senior staff, convene stakeholders, and develop policy solutions that promote equitable economic participation across the five boroughs.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Office’s work related to improving financial literacy in New York City, including improving access to banking educational opportunities at all ages, expanding access to safe and affordable banking products, and developing partnerships to connect underserved communities and MWBEs to responsible financial services
- Produce policy briefs, analytical reports, memoranda, testimony, and public-facing materials grounded in empirical analysis, and present findings clearly and effectively to external stakeholders as well as staff and leadership within the Comptroller’s Office
- Convene and engage stakeholders and external partners on issues related to the Comptroller’s equity agenda, including but not limited to MWBE business owners, chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations, labor representatives, advocacy groups, and financial institutions such as CDFIs, credit unions, and community banks to inform policy development and expand access to capital
- Collaborate with contract registration and legal teams to identify opportunities for improving transparency, compliance, and equity in the City’s procurement system
- Conduct research and analysis using City procurement, contract registration, vendor, workforce, and budget data that advances the Comptroller’s agenda and commitment to economic equity and inclusion
- Advise senior staff on emerging trends in supplier diversity, workforce equity, and inclusive economic development at the City, State, and Federal levels
- Manage cross-bureau initiatives and coordinate multidisciplinary teams working on complex equity, procurement, and workforce issues QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) or more years of professional experience in public policy, economic development, procurement policy, diversity and inclusion strategy, workforce equity, or related policy research and analysis in government, academia, or a public policy or nonprofit organization; or a satisfactory combination of education and experience equivalent to the above.
Minimum Qualifications
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with major in accounting, business administration, public relations, city planning, urban renewal, law, or a related field and three (3) years of satisfactory, full-time, responsible experience in housing, education, health services, planning, state-federal-city relations, or community relations involving administration or program development and evaluation; or
- A satisfactory equivalent.
Preferred Skills
- Graduate degree in public policy, public administration, economics, finance, urban planning, or a related field preferred (or equivalent combination of advanced training and relevant professional experience)
- Demonstrated experience conducting policy research related to MWBE participation, procurement equity, workforce diversity, or economic inclusion and literacy
- Demonstrated experience convening MWBE business leaders, nonprofit partners, advocates, and agency stakeholders to inform policy development and advance equitable contracting reform
- Experience developing or supporting DEI or workforce equity initiatives within a public or nonprofit organization
- Proven ability to translate complex fiscal, regulatory, and equity issues into clear and actionable policy recommendations
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a collaborative, cross-functional environment
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing equitable outcomes and dismantling structural barriers affecting historically underrepresented businesses and workers
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.