Assistant Director, Economic Development

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

The Bureau of Budget evaluates New York City’s fiscal, cash, and economic position by analyzing revenue collections, expenditures, the capital program, and the condition of the local economy. The Bureau uses its charter-mandated responsibilities to promote transparency and accountability in financial reporting and budgeting. In addition to reviewing and commenting on the City’s Financial Plan and issuing reports on the City’s cash balances and debt capacity, the Bureau oversees an independent actuarial audit to review the assumptions underlying the City’s pension contributions. The Bureau also conducts regular assessments of the City’s economic outlook and revenue performance and strives to lead the dialogue on the City’s fiscal state through reliable and thought provoking economic and budget research.

The Assistant Director for Economic Development will support the Office of the Comptroller's efforts to promote a thriving and inclusive New York City economy. The position reports up to the Chief Economist and will oversee a small team to develop research and recommendations on issues related to economic development and economic inequality. Topics may include tax expenditure efficacy and best practices, economic security among marginalized groups, economically targeted investments, workforce development, accessible employment, affordability and cost of living, and demographic analysis of New York City's labor force. The position requires strong analytic capability, including experience with econometric and other quantitative methods, the ability to distill quantitative and qualitative research into clear findings and recommendations, and strong project management skills.

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Produce high quality research reports, briefs, and internal memos illuminating issues of inclusive economic development in the city.
- Lead the scoping, drafting and execution of detailed work plans to develop research projects resulting in reports, presentations or other output and manage timelines across multiple projects and contributors. This position will be responsible for projects from conception and ideation, research and writing, to publication and post-publication outreach.
- Propose and create content related to economic trends in New York City for the Comptroller's monthly economic newsletter and other publications.
- Contribute to the Budget Bureau's ongoing effort to monitor, model, and forecast the City's economic outlook.
- Proactively identify and propose new economic development and economic policy topics for the Comptroller's Office to research or engage with.
- Provide analysis and assistance to support development of policy recommendations and advocacy.
- Direct and/or train one or more staff on econometric modeling and policy and economic research, supervise and oversee work and cultivate their professional development.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as may be required.

- Masters degree in economics, public policy/administration, social sciences, or a related field and four (4) or more years of professional experience in economic analysis, policy research and/or financial modeling, preferably at a government or non-profit organization.
- Combined education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

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.