Deputy Commissioner​/Chief Equity Officer, Center Health Equity and Community Wellness

• Full-time
• Agency: DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE
• Job Category:
  Health
• Salary Band: $150,000+
• Compensation: USD 113,690 - USD 261,048

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health.

The Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness (CHECW) seeks to eliminate racial and other inequities resulting in premature mortality. We are seeking a visionary leader to serve as Deputy Commissioner/Chief Equity Officer, driving transformative change to create healthier, more equitable communities across New York City.

CHECW is at the forefront of addressing the root causes of health inequities. With a focus on social, environmental, and commercial determinants of health, we work to dismantle centuries of systemic injustice and build a future where every New Yorker has the opportunity to thrive. Our work spans community and healthcare systems, partnering with community and faith-based groups, health delivery organizations, and city agencies to tackle inequities head-on.

CHECW is home to seven bureaus, including Bronx, Brooklyn, and Harlem Neighborhood Health, Chronic Disease Prevention, Finance and Administrative Services, and Equitable Health Systems. CHECW also houses the newly formed Queens Neighborhood Health bureau. Together, we address both upstream and downstream factors to improve health outcomes for all.

The Office of the Chief Equity Officer, housed within CHECW, provides executive leadership to advance equity internally across the agency, with a particular focus on embedding systemic equity principles into programs, and operations. The office advances the Race to Justice initiative by driving organizational accountability, informing strategic decision-making, and supporting the implementation of equitable practices across all levels of the department.

As Deputy Commissioner/Chief Equity Officer, you will lead a dynamic division of over 500 employees with an annual budget of $85M and $70M in grant funding. Reporting directly to the Commissioner of Health, you will set the strategic vision for advancing health equity, investing in place-based programming, embedding anti-racist practices, and driving systemic change across the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

The Deputy Commissioner will oversee the "Race to Justice" initiative, a transformative effort to dismantle institutional racism within DOHMH and beyond. You will work with diverse teams, community partners, and city leaders to create policies and programs that deliver measurable, equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers.

• Lead with Vision:
  Shape and execute a bold strategy to transform DOHMH into an anti-racist organization, embedding equity into every aspect of operations, policies, and programs.
• Drive Change:
  Oversee the Race to Justice initiative, building capacity across the agency to understand and address systemic racism while fostering a culture of accountability and measurable progress.
• Build Partnerships:
  Strengthen relationships with community organizations, faith-based groups, and city agencies to advance place-based health equity initiatives and improve coordination of services.
• Innovate for Impact:
  Develop and implement cutting-edge public health policies and practices that address the root causes of health inequities and improve outcomes for NYC’s most impacted…