Assistant Director for Resident Engagement

About the role

At the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), we're reimagining how residents engage with the systems that serve them. As Assistant Director of Resident Engagement, you'll play a pivotal role in strengthening communities, amplifying resident voice, and driving meaningful change at scale. Every day, NYCHA touches the lives of more than half a million New Yorkers. Behind every policy, program, and development are residents whose voices matter. The Resident Engagement Department (RED) exists to ensure those voices are not only heard but actively shape decisions. We partner with residents as leaders, collaborators, and changemakers. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was established in 1935 to provide safe, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. Today, NYCHA serves over 528,000 residents, nearly 1 in 17 New Yorkers, across 335 public housing and PACT developments, as well as through Section 8 programs. The Resident Engagement Department (RED) leads NYCHA's efforts to strengthen resident participation, elevate resident voice, and ensure communities are meaningfully connected to the Authority's policies, programs, and services. Through strategic outreach, targeted engagement initiatives, and capacity-building efforts, RED supports resident associations, fosters leadership development, and advances opportunities for residents to actively shape decisions that impact their quality of life. The Resident Engagement (RED) is seeking a strategic and experienced Assistant Director to join its senior leadership team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Resident Engagement, the Assistant Director will help manage department operations and drive the execution of RED's priorities. The role requires strong analytical, policy, and operational skills, including the ability to interpret complex regulatory frameworks, guide bylaw processes, and support the effective resolution of Resident Association matters. As Assistant Director, you'll serve as a key thought partner to senior leadership while also leading critical initiatives that strengthen how NYCHA engages with residents citywide. You'll operate at the intersection of policy, strategy, and community: guiding teams, solving complex challenges, and building systems that work for people. The Assistant Director will play a key role in strengthening RED's operating framework, aligning policy and compliance efforts, and supporting a coordinated, authority-wide approach to resident engagement. This leader will translate strategy into action, collaborate across NYCHA, and ensure consistent and compliant application of Resident Association bylaws in accordance with federal requirements. If you're passionate about building stronger communities, advancing equity, and shaping systems that truly serve residents, we encourage you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact across New York City. Key Responsibilities 1. Serve as a senior leader within RED and act on behalf of the Senior Director when needed. 2. Drive RED's strategic initiatives to improve policy alignment, service delivery, and resident participation. 3. Supervise Unit Managers overseeing the Strategy, Policy & Procedure Unit, and the Tenant Participation Activity (TPA) Unit. 4. Oversee development and implementation of engagement policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks. 5. Manage the administration and compliance of Tenant Participation Funds in alignment with HUD federal regulations. 6. Develop standardized processes, tools, and protocols to support high-quality engagement across developments. 7. Establish and monitor performance indicators to measure RED's impact. 8. Collaborate with NYCHA departments including Operations, Asset & Capital Management, IT, Healthy Homes, and Resident Initiatives on resident facing programs. 9. Oversee technical assistance, leadership development, and training for resident associations. 10. Ensure compliance with applicable HUD regulations, including 24 CFR Part 964. 11. Lead consistent interpretation of Resident Association bylaws and guide bylaw amendment processes. 12. Oversee assessment and coordinated follow-up of Resident Association complaints. 13. Represent NYCHA and RED in engagements with residents, agencies, and external partners. 14. Perform related duties as assigned. NOTE: IF THIS APPOINTMENT IS MADE ON A PROVISIONAL/TEMPORARY BASIS PURSUANT TO §65 OF THE NYS CIVIL SERVICE LAW, NO TENURE OR PERMANENCE ACCRUES TO AN INCUMBENT IN THIS POSITION BY VIRTUE OF SUCH APPOINTMENT. NOTE: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. For detailed information regarding the 55-a Program, click on the link below: https://bit.ly/55aProgram Additional Information 1. NYCHA employees applying for transfer, promot