Senior Advisor for Legal Affairs & Policy

About the role

The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs serves as the City’s liaison to New York City’s international community—including 193 Permanent Missions, 116 Consulates, over 70 Trade Commissions, and the United Nations—and functions as a global platform to promote equity, diversity, and shared best practices. The Director of Legal Affairs will advise the Commissioner and Office leadership on international legal matters, ensure compliance with applicable laws, draft and review international agreements, and lead policy analysis grounded in global trends to advance the Mayor’s affordability and equity priorities.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Commissioner and IA leadership on legal and policy issues related to international engagement and partnerships.
• Draft and review memoranda of understanding, cooperation agreements, and other legal instruments for the City’s international partnerships.
• Ensure IA activities comply with applicable city, state, and federal laws, including those related to international relations, sanctions, procurement, and ethics.
• Coordinate with the City’s Law Department and agencies on legal issues arising from international agreements, visits, and programs.
• Advise on City regulations affecting the diplomatic community, including parking, health and safety codes, taxation, and other municipal requirements.
• Lead policy analysis on global issues impacting New Yorkers—such as migration, climate, and economic inequality—and translate findings into actionable solutions that benefit working families.
• Identify and adapt policy innovations from other global cities, with a focus on advancing the Mayor’s affordability agenda and expanding economic opportunity.
• Analyze global developments affecting NYC’s diaspora communities to inform responsive, community-centered policy and engagement.
• Prepare clear, strategic briefings and guidance to support the Commissioner and Mayor in international engagements.
• Track global trends and city networks to identify partnerships that drive equity, affordability, and shared prosperity.

Requirements

• Juris doctorate from an accredited law school.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably in government, public policy, international affairs, or a related legal field.
• Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.

Qualifications

• Experience in urban policy, public policy, and political analysis, including understanding how global developments affect cities.
• Knowledge of international law and legal issues affecting governments and diplomatic institutions.
• Excellent writing, communication, research, and analytical skills, with the ability to explain complex legal and policy issues clearly.
• Experience drafting legal agreements and developing legal strategies, preferably in a government or public sector environment.
• Strong judgment, professionalism, and high ethical standards.
• Highly organized and adaptable, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills

• Multilingual proficiency with the ability to engage effectively with international partners and New York City’s diverse immigrant communities.

Pay

$120,000.00 – $150,000.00