Deputy Commissioner, Division of Family and Child Health/Office of the Deputy Commissioner

Job Description

About Us: The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of all New Yorkers. With a commitment to public health excellence, we strive to create a healthier and more equitable city. Our team is composed of passionate professionals who work collaboratively to address the diverse health needs of all New Yorkers.

Job Summary: Reporting to the Commissioner of Health, the Deputy Commissioner is responsible for directing and managing the Division of Family and Child Health (DFCH) of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. DFCH is charged with the creation and oversight of programs, policies, services, and environments that support physical and socio-emotional health, and promote primary and reproductive health services, health equity, social and racial justice, safety and well-being for New York City families and children. The vision of the DFCH is that every child, woman, and family recognize their power and is given the opportunity to reach their full health and development potential.

The Deputy Commissioner will provide leadership and direction for a division that includes more than 2,000 employees and an operating budget of over $600M annually. The Deputy Commissioner directs a robust portfolio of family and child health related issues and programs within the Office of School Health, the Bureau of Early Intervention, the Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health, and the Bureau of Administration. The Deputy Commissioner partners with outside entities such as other government offices at the community, city, state, and federal level as well as elected officials. The Deputy Commissioner further collaborates with colleagues internally on cross-cutting issues and collaboratively develop and implement policy and program initiatives with family and child health components.

The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive strategy for the division and its staff in alignment with Agency and Commissioner priorities; City, State, and Federal mandates; and community priorities. The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for working closely with the Commissioner and routinely updating and engaging with them on emergent and ongoing issues. The Deputy Commissioner is also responsible for fostering application of an equity lens across the division.

Key Responsibilities:
- Provide overall direction for all DFCH activities including executive decision making, problem-solving, and strategy;
- Advise Commissioner, colleagues and others on issues relating to family and child health, including connections and collaboration with subject matter experts;
- Manage development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies for public health services that help improve health outcomes for all New York families;
- Direct and supervise the Division's four Assistant Commissioners and immediate executive office staff;
- Practice and support visionary leadership inclusive of staff development and growth strategies;
- Navigate complex administrative and programmatic structures and needs in partnership with staff and collaborators;
- Work efficiently and collaboratively to solve problems and respond to timely inquiries at the request of the Commissioner and others;
- Ensure the division is in compliance with essential Agency functions, including public health emergency preparedness, Agencywide reporting, and other mandated activities;
- Liaise closely with colleagues across the agency to ensure aligned and coordinated programs and policies;
- Represent the agency for external meetings with City Hall, elected officials, community-based organizations and others;
- Foster external relationships with community partners, in collaboration with colleagues, to ensure bidirectional communication between the Department and partners;
- Direct the division’s research and evaluation activities for internal and external audiences;
- Foster development of policy and communications strategies in alignment with Commissioner priorities and in partnership with Agency leaders;
- Support teams in pursuit of internal and external funding, including philanthropic dollars, with an eye to strategically bolstering existing programs and launching new programming;
- Center equity in all program and policy plans and decision making.

Preferred Skills:
- Strong ability to lead, support and collaborate with teams internally and externally;
- Exceptional skills in developing and communicating vision and mission; demonstrated track record of lead and inspire a large and diverse workforce; and to develop and implement an anti-racism and equity-driven approach to population health;
- Possession of broad knowledge of public health generally and specific knowledge of children and family health;
- Proven leader