Director of Neighborhood Initiatives

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: 

The Director of Neighborhood Initiatives leads citywide neighborhood strategy and implementation to advance equitable revitalization, neighborhood safety, quality-of-life improvements, and community-led development. The Director partners with residents, community organizations, City departments, and funders to design and deliver place-based programs, coordinate grant-funded initiatives, measure neighborhood outcomes, and ensure services are responsive to resident priorities. This role combines strategic leadership, community engagement, program management, and interdepartmental coordination.

Work is performed under the direction of the within the Office of Strategic Planning under the Deputy Mayor.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Develop and implement a citywide neighborhood strategy and annual workplan aligned with Buffalo’s comprehensive plan and mayoral goals.
• Design and oversee resident-centered engagement processes (neighborhood councils, listening sessions, participatory budgeting, etc.) to inform priorities, projects, and budgets.
• Lead place-based initiatives (housing stabilization, exterior improvements, vacant lot activation, public safety partnerships, small business supports) from design through evaluation. Manage timelines, contracts, and staffing.
• Identify funding opportunities, oversee grant applications, manage federal/state/local grants, ensure compliance, and report outcomes to funders and City leadership.
• Serve as the neighborhood liaison coordinating Permits & Inspections, Planning, Public Works, Police/community safety programs, Parks, Housing, and external partners to remove barriers and accelerate projects.
• Define KPIs, benchmark neighborhood indicators (vacancy, code compliance, housing stability, walkability, resident satisfaction), and publish regular neighborhood performance reports. Use data to adjust programs.
• Prioritize historically disinvested neighborhoods and eliminate barriers to participation (language access, meeting times/locations, childcare supports).
• Represent the City at community meetings, neighborhood coalitions, funder briefings, and regional stakeholder groups.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Community Development, Social Work, or related field; Master’s strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in community development, neighborhood planning, local government, or nonprofit leadership, including 3+ years of supervisory experience.
• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State Registered four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Marketing, Public Relations, Legal Studies, Intercultural or Diversity Studies, or closely related field; AND Two (2) years’ experience in either (a) business or government management, which included business development, marketing, or advertising responsibilities, OR (b) the development and administration of programs designed to facilitate minority community access to employment or business opportunities.

NOTE: A Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, or Public Administration may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience above.

NOTE: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements

SALARY:

$ 109,148