Senior Policy Advisor

Senior Policy AdvisorSalary: The Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs compensation package includes a competitive market salary, equity for all full-time roles and exceptional benefits. Our cash compensation range for this role is $100,000 - $110,000.The Agency You'll Join: The NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) was established in October 2023 as the City of New York's centralized agency to advance equity. Our mandate is rooted in a simple but powerful belief that every New Yorker deserves the chance to live, work, and thrive with dignity. To realize that vision, MOERJ brings together several key initiatives and offices, including the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), NYC Her Future (NHF), the NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI), and the LGBTQIA+ Affairs unit, as well as cross-agency bodies like the NYC Pay Equity Cabinet (PEC) and the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE). Together, we create a unified framework for addressing the many ways inequity shows up in daily life. The LGBTQIA+ Affairs unit was established in March 2026 as the City of New York's centralized agency to consolidate policy, interagency coordination, and stakeholder engagement across New York City for the LGBTQIA+ community. Our mandates are rooted in a simple but powerful belief that every New Yorker inherently deserves the opportunities to live, work, and thrive with dignity and free from discrimination. As a critical part of the mayor's efforts to build a stronger and more equitable city, the LGBTQIA+ Affairs works across city agencies and external partners to affect meaningful change. Every staff member plays an integral role in our unrelenting commitment to equity in our individual offices and as a collective.The Problems You'll Solve: The Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs seeks a strategic, experienced, and mission-driven professional to serve as Senior Policy Advisor. This role will be responsible for supporting the Director of the LGBTQIA+ Affairs in a broad range of executive, strategic, and operational functions. The Senior Policy Advisor will serve as a key advisor to the Director, overseeing the Office's policy advisement and advancement responsibilities and priorities. This individual will play a critical role by strengthening internal systems, advancing cross-agency collaboration, and ensuring the office is being responsive to the needs of the communities we serve and effectively positioned to advance its policy agenda through City Hall and across all New York city agencies that serve and touch the lives of LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. The Senior Policy Advisor will report to the Director of the LGBTQIA+ Affairs.Minimum Qualifications1. Graduation from an accredited college with a baccalaureate degree; or 2. Graduation from an accredited community college plus two years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities; or 3. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent plus four years of experience as described in "2" above; or 4. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.Preferred SkillsAbout You: - Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in public policy, public administration, social work, law, urban studies, or a related field preferred. - Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience in public policy, government, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, or related fields, with demonstrated experience working on issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community. - Strong cultural competence and understandings of issues impacting LGBTQIA+ communities, including transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary (TGNCNB) people, people across all age strata including youth and elder populations, people living with disabilities, and communities of color. - Experience working with government agencies, community-based organizations, and/or advocacy coalitions. - Excellent writing, editing, research, and verbal communication skills. - Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities. - Experience analyzing and developing legislation, regulations, and policy proposals. - Ability to engage diverse stakeholders with professionalism and cultural competency. - Commitment to equity, inclusion, and public service. - Familiarity with New York City government and policy processes preferred. Preferred Areas of Expertise: Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are encouraged to apply: - LGBTQIA+ policy and advocacy - Health equity - Civil and human rights - Workforce and economic development - Youth services - Community engagement - Gender equity - Anti-discrimination policy - Program development and evaluationPublic Service Loan ForgivenessAs 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.Residency RequirementNew 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.Additional InformationThe 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.