The Mayor's Office of Contract Services (MOCS) is a New York City oversight and service agency that manages procurement citywide, from planning and release of agency solicitations to payment of vendors. Annually, agencies procure billions in products and services from a diverse pool of vendors that represent various industries. MOCS therefore aims to ensure that the procurement process remains fair, transparent, efficient, and cost-effective.

MOCS makes it easier to do business through use of end-to-end technology tools, increases transparency by publication of enriched data and hosting public hearings, and strengthens procurement operations by providing direct assistance and resources to all stakeholders. MOCS also partners with agencies and vendors to identify areas for policy reform, resulting in ongoing process improvement to reduce administrative burdens and increase the positive impact of services on communities. The MOCS Director serves as the City Chief Procurement Officer.

MOCS team members operate in a collaborative, service-oriented environment, where flexibility and ability to achieve results are valued. All managers lead teams and/or lines of service, assuming increasing levels of responsibility for the organization’s success. Managers align daily operations to the agency’s strategic priorities, engage stakeholders in planning, and drive performance using well-defined success metrics, along with effective people and project management strategies (including but not limited to the assignment of work, maintenance of performance standards, maintaining baseline staff knowledge and professional development).
MOCS maintains a lean staffing model, with managers both supervising and implementing tasks within or across areas of responsibility. All managers are expected to deliver timely and quality work products and services, participate in ongoing improvement activities, proactively deepen their knowledge of procurement and government operations. Managers must serve as principal ambassadors for the organization and are expected to handle confidential matters, promote established priorities, deescalate conflict, and proactively escalate issues along with proposed solutions. Deputy Directors function as members of the agency’s executive staff, guide the agency’s overall direction, share responsibility for coordinating joint projects with peers, have significant latitude for decision-making within the agency, and contribute to initiatives of agency or citywide significance.

The Special Counsel for Compliance & Risk Oversight is a senior legal and strategic advisor within the Office of the General Counsel. This role will lead and oversee citywide compliance and risk management operations, including the Vendor Integrity Unit (VIU), vendor risk and audit efforts, and internal oversight for MOCS procurement activity. The role combines deep legal expertise with strategic oversight of cross-functional teams responsible for mitigating vendor-related risk and ensuring ethical, effective, and lawful procurement practices.
This position requires exceptional judgment, legal acumen, cross-sector collaboration, and the ability to manage complex initiatives across legal, operational, and policy domains.

Assignment and Responsibilities

Compliance & Risk Leadership
- Design and implement a citywide, risk-based vendor integrity and compliance framework.
- Oversee compliance reviews, audits, and conflict of interest checks across contracting, budgeting, and invoicing functions.
- Supervise the activities of the Vendor Integrity Unit (VIU), Vendor Management, and Risk Teams.
- Develop tools, protocols, and training to embed compliance and risk mitigation into agency procurement operations.
- Lead strategic modernization of vendor review systems and expand use of internal and third-party data for proactive risk detection.
- Support the operations of the interagency Vendor Compliance Committee.

Legal & Policy Support
- Provide legal counsel on high-risk or complex procurement issues, including emergency contracting, public safety procurements, and Comptroller registration matters.
- Draft legal documents, directives, rules, memoranda, and policy analyses to support procurement reforms and risk controls.
- Monitor procurement-related litigation, provide legal briefings, and liaise with the NYC Law Department as needed.
- Offer strategic legal support to internal units including Procurement Operations and Diversity Initiatives (M/WBE).

Organizational Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a legal liaison in interagency working groups, procurement reform efforts, and public-facing forums.
- Lead and supervise compliance-related staff; develop team capacity through coaching, training, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Represent MOCS in external events and citywide policy discussions.
- Support the MOCS Director, General Counsel, and senior leadership with special projects and legislative affairs as requested.


TO APPLY
External applicants, please go to www.nyc.gov/careers/search and search for Job ID #716777
Current City Employees may apply via Employee Self Service (ESS) http://cityshare.nycnet/ess Click on Recruiting Activities/Careers and Search for Job ID #716777

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To best serve the City we represent, Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) seeks individuals from a variety of backgrounds who can bring different perspectives to contribute to the work of the office. MOCS also seeks candidates who want to contribute to a work environment that values teamwork, inclusion and respect.

MOCS recognizes the unique skills and strengths gained through military service. Veterans and service members of the U.S. Armed Forces are strongly encouraged to apply. Special accommodations provided to applicants with disabilities. Please contact MOCS Disability Service Facilitator at disabilityaffairs@mocs.nyc.gov or 212-298-0800 to request an accommodation.

WORK LOCATION
255 Greenwich Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10007

RESEARCH PROJECTS COOR(MA)-MGR - 0527A

1. Do you have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university?

2. Do you have an associate degree from an accredited college or university along with two (2) years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities?

3. Do you have a four-year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent approved by a state's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization along with four (4) years of experience as described in question "2" above?

4. Do you have a satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to that described in questions "1," "2," and/or "3" above?

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

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.

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.