* INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY *

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life by providing funding and support to New York City’s cultural community, including the 34 institutions that comprise the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and more than 1,100 non-profit cultural organizations that receive regular annual support. This constituency represents a diverse array of organizations - including performing arts groups, museums, theaters, zoos, botanical gardens, visual arts and film centers, community-based organizations, and arts education programs – that are central to the life of communities in every corner of New York City. DCLA also manages a significant portfolio of cultural capital projects; provides free donated materials and supplies for arts programs and arts educators through its Materials for the Arts program; provides capacity building and technical assistance support to cultural groups; and commissions works of permanent public art through the City’s Public Art Program.

At this time, DCLA is seeking an Assistant Commissioner to direct the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) Unit. The CIG Unit fosters the City’s complex and dynamic relationship with the 34 institutional members of the CIG, each of which is located on City-owned property and receives significant capital investments and operating subsidies from the City to help meet basic security, maintenance, administration, and energy costs. In furtherance of this mission, the Unit mediates and facilitates the resolution of issues or concerns between the CIG and the City, oversees the flow of funds to the group, attends hundreds of board meetings each year as an ex-officio representative for the Commissioner, and represents the Administration in what is one of the most important public/private partnerships that the City has ever created.

The Assistant Commissioner – CIG Unit manages the day- to -day coordination of the CIG Unit. Typical tasks include, but are not limited to:

- Developing, executing and advising DCLA’s Commissioner on policies and procedures concerning the CIG members, including general operating support, health insurance, contributions to the CIRS system, energy subsidies, governance issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and other matters;

- Representing the Administration, specifically cultivating and maintaining effective and open relations with CIG management and Board Members; identifying and anticipating issues and operational concerns; responding to requests for information and assistance; and consulting the Commissioner and the Administration on relevant matters;

- Communicating regularly with the CIG community, elected officials, and other relevant cultural stakeholders about the City’s rules and procedures for the use of CIG facilities and City benefits;

- Tracking and administering CIG operating and energy expenditures and payments as well as employee benefit support;

- Coordinating an ex-officio board representation for 34 Boards;

- Addressing issues and requests related to admission policies, public access, public relations matters and the status of capital projects;

- Formulating and recommending the DCLA’s budget for CIGs in consultation with the Commissioner and the Mayor’s Office; and

- Identifying and recommending special projects, business practices reforms, and/or new programming designed to advance and support the Administration’s policy goals;

- Leading and supervising the staff of the CIG Unit in the full range of activities that the Unit undertakes


Preferred Skills:
The preferred candidate must have proven executive level leadership skills, including the ability to think and plan strategically, lead and manage staff, communicate effectively, establish policy, set priorities, and implement objectives. Board governance and experience working in an administrative field, e.g., development, marketing and/or finance, preferably in a not-for-profit context, is important. Additionally, new diversity equity and inclusion efforts are an important part of the work of the CIG unit, and DCLA is seeking a candidate with demonstrated knowledge of and experience with diversity equity and inclusion efforts. A general knowledge of City government is a plus, as is a working knowledge and deep commitment to serving the City’s non-profit cultural community. Also very important is the ability to deal with a diverse constituency and work productively under pressure, both independently and as a team member.


To Apply:

Please go to cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID# 612584


Additional Information:

Resume and Cover letters required.
All appointments are subject to OMB approval.

NOTE: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

1. Graduation from an accredited college with a baccalaureate degree and four (4) years of satisfactory, responsible full-time paid administrative or managerial experience in the visual and /or performing arts or related field, two (2) years of which shall have been in a responsible capacity; or

2. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.