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.

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) seeks a dynamic leader to serve as the Assistant Commissioner for its Program Services unit, which manages approximately $85 million annually through Cultural Development Fund (CDF) grants and City Council Initiatives. The Program Services Unit provides fiscal support and technical assistance to non-profit cultural organizations of all sizes working in every discipline throughout the five boroughs of New York City. More than 1,000 groups receive funding; over 1,300 apply. DCLA is committed to expanding access to the public funds it stewards through this funding program while, increasing investment in the cultural lives of communities of color, low-income communities, and other underserved residents. The Assistant Commissioner role offers a major opportunity to further shape these efforts to foster more equitable funding from one of the largest cultural grant makers in the U.S. The Assistant Commissioner reports to the Deputy Commissioner and has responsibilities that include but are not limited to:

- Providing executive leadership, vision, strategic planning, and direction for the Program Services Unit; and supervising the staff of 12 in the full range of activities and the day-to-day operations that the Unit undertakes.

- Developing, executing, and advising on policies and procedures that may guide Programs’ grantees in areas such as special projects, DEI, and governance issues.

- Cultivating and maintaining effective and open relations with Programs’ grantees to aid in identifying and anticipating issues and operational concerns that may inform agency and Administration policy.
- Responding to requests for information and assistance internally; and consulting with Senior Leadership and Administration on relevant matters.

- Communicating with elected officials, and other relevant cultural stakeholders about the City’s guidelines and rules regarding Programs’ CDF and Initiative practices.

- Tracking and evaluating Programs’ grantee data.

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


Preferred Skills:
o Senior professional with ten years of executive level leadership; including managing teams effectively.
o Highly skilled with extensive knowledge of NYC cultural field.
o Demonstrated ability in directing and managing cross-functional decisions.
o Strategically manage an array of internal and external stakeholders.
o Exceptional communication, interpersonal and writing skills; as well as ability to communicate complex information in a clear and straightforward way.
o Demonstrated team player, with experience working collaboratively, building relationships at all levels of an organization to achieve goals.
o Ability to handle multiple and changing demands in a fast-paced environment.
o Non-profit management and/or arts administration experience preferred, including familiarity with areas such as board governance, development, marketing and/or finance.
o 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.

Additionally, new diversity equity and inclusion efforts are an important part of the work of the Programs’ unit, and DCLA is seeking a candidate with demonstrated knowledge of and experience with diversity equity and inclusion efforts.


NOTE: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. For more information about DCLA, visit us at: www.nyc.gov/culture
All appointments are subject to OMB approval

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.