Senior Advisor for Legal Affairs & Policy

The Agency You’ll Join: The New York City Mayor’s Office is responsible for overseeing city services throughout the five boroughs, coordinating public agencies and departments, and managing public property. The administration is leading the fight in making the city more affordable, reducing inequality, improving public safety, ensuring delivery of efficient and effective services, and working to make New York City’s economy stronger. We value leadership, transparency, fairness, and efficiency as we actively seek diverse talents from various sectors to join our team. For current job opportunities, visit our careers page.

The Team You’ll Work With: The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs serves as the liaison between the City and New York City’s international community, which includes 193 Permanent Missions, 116 Consulates, over 70 Trade Commissions, and the headquarters of the United Nations. The Office functions as a global platform from which the City can promote its goals for a more just and equitable society, showcase the diversity of New Yorkers, and share best practices with the world. The Office also works to foster positive relations and to encourage collaboration between the international community and New York City’s agencies and local neighborhoods.

The Problems You’ll Solve: New York City is not only the place where the world gathers, but the place where the world lives, with diaspora communities from every corner of the planet. As the host city to the United Nations, New York City welcomes more international visitors than any other American city and serves as the global headquarters for the largest diplomatic community. The Director of Legal Affairs will advise the Commissioner and IA leadership on international legal matters, ensure compliance with applicable laws, draft and review international agreements, and lead policy analysis—drawing on global trends and innovations from other cities—to advance the affordability agenda and other important priorities.

Legal Affairs:

• Advise the Commissioner and IA leadership on legal and policy issues related to international engagement and partnerships.
• Draft and review memoranda of understanding, cooperation agreements, and other legal instruments for the City’s international partnerships.
• Ensure IA activities comply with applicable city, state, and federal laws, including those related to international relations, sanctions, procurement, and ethics.
• Coordinate with the City’s Law Department and agencies on legal issues related to international agreements, visits, and programs.
• Advise on City regulations affecting the diplomatic community, including parking, health and safety codes, taxation, and other municipal requirements.

Policy:

• Lead policy analysis on global issues impacting New Yorkers—such as migration, climate, and economic inequality—and translate them into actionable solutions that deliver for working families.
• Identify and adapt policy innovations from other global cities, with a focus on advancing the Mayor’s affordability agenda and expanding economic opportunity.
• Analyze global developments affecting NYC’s diaspora communities to inform responsive, community-centered policy and engagement.
• Prepare clear, strategic briefings and guidance to support the Commissioner and Mayor in international engagements.
• Track global trends and city networks to identify partnerships that drive equity, affordability, and shared prosperity.

About You:

• You have experience in urban policy, public policy, and political analysis, including understanding how global developments affect cities.
• You have knowledge of international law and legal issues affecting governments and diplomatic institutions.
• You have excellent writing, communication, research, and analytical skills, with the ability to explain complex legal and policy issues clearly.
• You have experience drafting legal agreements and developing legal strategies, preferably in a government or public sector environment.
• You have strong judgment, professionalism, and high ethical standards.
• You are highly organized and adaptable, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Juris doctorate from an accredited law school required.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably in government, public policy, international affairs, or a related legal field.

Additional Information

• In addition to the resume, a cover letter is required to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred Skills

• You are multilingual and proficient, with the ability to engage effectively with international partners and New York City’s diverse immigrant communities.

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 the interview.