Chief of Neighborhood Affairs

CHIEF OF NEIGHBORHOOD AFFAIRS

The Chief of Neighborhood Affairs is principal oversight for population-specific outreach and advocacy objectives City-wide. The Chief of Neighborhood Affairs ensures that the Mayor's messaging and platform is applied equitably and in a timely manner to each District and special population within the City. As such, intimate knowledge of each City Council District both geographically and politically - educational institutions, legacy institutions, parks, recreation centers, neighborhood leaders, block clubs, City Council representatives, churches, senior buildings, faith-based institutions and the like - should be a cornerstone of this principal's experience. Serve as a principal advisor to the Mayor on neighborhood vitality, safety, youth and education, faith-based engagement, and services for seniors. This senior executive will provide unified leadership across multiple offices—DONs, Youth and Education, Neighborhood and Community Safety, Faith-Based Initiatives, and Senior Citizen Affairs—ensuring aligned, equitable, data-driven programs that strengthen neighborhoods, improve quality of life, and foster trusted partnerships with residents, schools, faith communities, service providers, and local organizations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Alignment Develop and execute an integrated neighborhood affairs strategy that advances safe, vibrant, and equitable communities in alignment with the Mayor's priorities. Serve as the Mayor's principal advisor on neighborhood policy, community safety, youth development, education partnerships, faith-based collaboration, and aging services. City-wide Engagement Ensure that all neighborhood ground-level engagement initiatives are tailored to distinct populations, can be equitably accessed, and ensure that residents are aware of and are included in City government initiatives Ensure that the Administration fosters opportunities for and increases participation in voluntary civic duties: voting, community resource event attendance, neighborhood planning and development engagement, town hall and charter mandated meeting participation Oversight of Offices and Programs Provide executive leadership to the Department of Neighborhoods, Youth and Education, Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety, Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, and Office of Senior Citizen Affairs; ensure coordination, consistent policy application, and cross-departmental outcomes. Establish performance standards, ensure effective governance, and foster collaboration across offices to deliver seamless programming, funding, and regulatory processes. Neighborhood Health, Safety, and Quality of Life Champion neighborhood revitalization, blight reduction, housing stability, and access to essential services; support proactive safety initiatives in partnership with police, community groups, and service providers. Promote community-centered approaches to conflict resolution, housing and land use, public space improvements, and neighborhood economic opportunities. Youth and Education Support Advance strategies to improve youth outcomes, access to quality education, after-school opportunities, and family supports; align with school district and community partners. Build pipelines for workforce readiness and lifelong learning for Detroit youth and families. Faith-Based and Community Partnerships Strengthen collaboration with faith-based organizations to expand service delivery, community outreach, and volunteer engagement; ensure respectful, inclusive engagement with diverse faith traditions. Leverage faith-based networks to amplify neighborhood initiatives and mobilize local resources. Senior Citizens Affairs Advocate for seniors by coordinating services, housing stability, transportation access, and aging-in-place programs; collaborate with healthcare and social services partners to meet senior needs. Public-Private and Community Engagement Cultivate partnerships with non-profit organizations, educational institutions, businesses, philanthropy, and regional partners to mobilize resources and shared investments in neighborhood outcomes. Represent the City in community forums, coalitions, and strategic planning processes; maintain transparent communication with residents and stakeholders. Policy Development, Compliance, and Risk Management Draft and refine policies that affect neighborhoods, safety, youth programming, faith-based engagement, and senior services; ensure compliance with laws, ordinances, and procurement rules. Identify risks, establish controls, and monitor program performance and financial stewardship. Budget, Grants, and Performance Analytics Guide budgeting and resource allocation across the five offices; oversee grants administration and compliance; measure impact with clear KPIs and regular reporting to the Mayor and City Council. Use data-driven insights to inform decisions, adjust strategies, and communicate results to diverse audiences. Talent, Culture, and Organizational Excellence Build and maintain a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive leadership team; promote cross-functional collaboration, professional development, and succession planning.

Education Preferred:

Master's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Social Work, Education, Community Development, or a closely related field.

Alternative:

Juris Doctor (JD), Master's in Business Administration (MBA), or Doctorate (EdD, PhD) in a relevant field, plus substantial relevant experience.

Experience Minimum:

12+ years of extensive experience in public or community-based leadership with progressive responsibility in neighborhoods, youth/education, public safety, faith-based/community engagement, or aging services.

Senior leadership:

5+ years in a senior or executive management role overseeing multiple offices or programs, preferably within municipal government or a public-sector context. Demonstrated experience leading or executing City-wide programming, strategies or objectives. Demonstrated success in cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, and delivering outcomes in diverse urban neighborhoods. Equivalencies (Education/Experience) Bachelor's degree plus 14-20 years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership position or comparable experience. Master's degree plus 8 - 12 years of progressively responsible public-sector leadership in neighborhood, youth/education, safety, faith-based outreach, or aging services or comparable experience. JD or MBA plus 6 - 10 years of relevant leadership experience. Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Public Manager, Project Management Professional) or equivalent community leadership track may substitute for portions of formal education. Any combination of education, certifications, and hands-on leadership in municipal or regional neighborhood development, safety, youth services, faith-based outreach, and senior services. Licenses, Certifications and Licenses (optional but desirable) CPM (Certified Property Manager), CPP (Certified Public Manager), PMP (Project Management Professional), or similar credentials. Relevant professional associations in public policy, urban planning, social work, or aging services.

Reports To:

Mayor's Chief of Staff Direct Reports:

Director, Department of Neighborhoods (DONs) Director, Youth and Education Director, Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety Director, Faith-Based Initiatives Director, Office of Senior Citizen Affairs Additional cross-cutting liaisons and program leaders as assigned

Job Type:

Appointed - Full-time Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into actionable programs, budgets, and measurable outcomes. Deep understanding of urban neighborhood dynamics, public safety, youth development, education partnerships, faith-based collaboration, and aging services. Strong relationship-building, stakeholder management, and community engagement capabilities; political acumen and diplomacy. Data-driven decision-making, program evaluation, and performance management. Budgeting, grants management, contract oversight, and risk management. Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-cultural competence; ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences. Commitment to equity, inclusion, and transparent governance; proposal development and advocacy skills.