Chief of Staff, Division of Finance, Administration and Human Resources

Position Summary

The Chief of Staff plays a pivotal role in driving strategic planning, executive decision-making, communication, stakeholder engagement, and prioritization of cross-functional initiatives within the Division of Finance, Administration, and Human Resources (DFAHR) of New York City Public Schools. The role ensures alignment across DFAHR and various NYCPS offices and contributes to policy development and operational support.

Key Relationships

• Deputy Chancellor, DFAHR (direct report)
• Mayor’s Office, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NYCPS Cabinet members and leadership teams
• City, State, and Federal government officials and external partners
• Leadership of Offices of Finance, Division of Contracts and Purchasing, Division of Human Resources, Office of M/WBE, and Office of School Budget and Finance

Core Responsibilities

• Assist the Deputy Chancellor in crafting and executing policies and procedures aligned with NYCPS goals and mission.
• Act as a trusted daily advisor to the Deputy Chancellor on a breadth of issues, including sensitive matters.
• Oversee executive planning, communication, and follow-up to implement Deputy Chancellor priorities while collaborating with the Chief Administrative Officer responsible for organizational performance and operations.
• Lead high-priority projects, ensuring accountability and follow-through on executive decisions.
• Track progress against strategic goals and major milestones.
• Coordinate implementation plans and reporting for key initiatives.
• Support preparation and delivery of executive communications, ensuring consistent messaging about organizational priorities.
• Organize executive meetings, prepare cabinet materials, briefings, testimonies, speeches, and presentations.
• Manage special projects and delegate work to appropriate staff as needed.
• Represent the Deputy Chancellor in meetings or engagements as necessary.
• Formulate policy recommendations and executive guidance consistent with City, State, Federal, and NYCPS priorities.
• Serve as a liaison between the executive office and key internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, plus four years of relevant experience, including at least 18 months in administrative, managerial, consultative, executive roles, or supervising personnel related to this position's duties; or an equivalent combination of education and experience with the required 18 months of leadership experience.

Preferred:

• At least 18 months experience in an administrative, supervisory, or managerial capacity.
• Capacity to design and execute large-scale organizational initiatives through strategic thinking and partnership with diverse stakeholders.
• Adeptness in quickly synthesizing complex and competing information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, adaptable to varying audiences.
• Proven ability to collaboratively resolve complex, multidimensional problems.
• Skill in managing policy research on sensitive and controversial issues in public education.
• Proactive in generating relevant initiatives to support the school system’s mission.
• Effective relationship management internally and externally across all organizational levels.
• Familiarity with NYCPS finance, procurement, purchasing policies, procedures, organizations, IT systems, and initiatives.
• Detail-oriented, extremely organized, capable of working under pressure, with a proactive "hands-on" approach to meet evolving deadlines.

Additional Information

• Annual salary range: $168,182 to $185,000.
• Applicants from the New York City tri-state area are welcomed; NYC residency is not mandatory.
• Internal DOE candidates selected will receive at least their current salary if it is comparable or lower.
• Selection and hiring are contingent on budget availability or grant funding.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

The Department of Education of New York City is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace free from discrimination or harassment based on legally protected statuses. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations during the application process by contacting the appropriate office. Detailed policies and accommodation procedures are available upon request.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

City employees may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness and state repayment assistance programs. Applicants are encouraged to visit the U.S. Department of Education's official website for more details.