About the Department

The City of Jersey City is seeking a Director of Innovation to serve as a key member of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education. This role will serve as a strategic partner and execution lead, advancing high-priority initiatives across youth development, workforce pathways, recreation innovation, and cross-sector partnerships. This position operates at the intersection of policy and implementation, ensuring that city priorities are translated into actionable, measurable outcomes. The ideal candidate is a systems thinker and operator who can manage multiple initiatives, build partnerships, and drive execution in a fast-paced environment.

Position Duties

Job Duties:
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Deputy Mayor, supporting the development and execution
of priorities across education, youth development, and workforce initiatives.
• Conduct policy research and analysis to inform decision-making, including reviewing local,
state, and national models and identifying implications for Jersey City.
• Draft high-quality written materials, including memos, briefings, presentations, and external
communications.
• Collaborate closely with the Deputy Mayor to shape strategy, translate vision into actionable
plans, and drive implementation across multiple initiatives.
• Manage a portfolio of strategic initiatives, including youth employment (e.g., summer jobs),
recreation innovation, and cross-agency efforts.
• Build and manage partnerships with private sector, nonprofit, and philanthropic
organizations to support City priorities.
• Coordinate across City departments to ensure alignment and execution of youth-facing
initiatives.
• Represent the Office of the Deputy Mayor in meetings with internal and external
stakeholders, and serve as a proxy in designated settings.
• Develop implementation plans, track progress, and address operational challenges to
ensure initiatives are delivered effectively.
• Support internal and external stakeholder engagement, including preparation for meetings,
events, and public-facing opportunities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and
activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in
Public Administration, Education, Policy, or related field.
Required Experience: Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in strategy, operations,
government, youth development, community partnerships, or related fields.Demonstrated ability to
manage complex projects across multiple stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working in or with government, education systems, or community development.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships across public, private, and nonprofit
sectors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas
clearly, concisely, and to a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with diplomacy and professionalism in high-stakes,
politically sensitive, or public-facing environments.
• Ability to work effectively across lines of difference, including race, class, role, and
perspective, and to engage diverse stakeholders with respect and clarity.
• Experience navigating competing priorities and perspectives while maintaining focus on
shared outcomes.
• Ability to facilitate conversations, manage conflict productively, and build alignment across
stakeholders with differing interests.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, evolving environments with shifting priorities.

Other Qualifications

Essential Skills:
• Demonstrates strong self-awareness and the ability to read people, dynamics, and
environments. Builds trust quickly, navigates sensitive situations with discretion, and
communicates with clarity and intention across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Thrives in environments where direction is evolving and not fully defined. Able to create
structure where none exists, make sound decisions with incomplete information, and move
work forward without waiting for perfect clarity.
• Exercises strong professional judgment, particularly in politically and publicly visible
environments. Understands when to act, when to escalate, and how to manage information
appropriately.
• Responds to challenges with flexibility and creativity. Able to pivot quickly, adjust plans, and
maintain momentum in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships across government, community, and private
sector partners. Able to influence without authority and manage competing perspectives
effectively.
• Takes ownership of work from concept to completion. Ensures commitments are met,
details are managed, and initiatives move forward consistently.
• Maintains composure and focus in high-stakes or time-sensitive situations. Able to manage
competing demands without losing clarity or effectiveness.