Nightlife Industry Liaison

Agency Description:
The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

Position Overview:
The Office of Nightlife is a dedicated liaison between the city government and New York City’s nightlife community of businesses, workers, performers, patrons, and residents. Nightlife Industry Liaison, at the Office of Nightlife, reporting to the Executive Director, will work with stakeholders in the nightlife industry provide support and solutions to compliance issues as well as amplify their needs and concerns.

Key Responsibilities:
- Facilitate collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders to support the development of Office of Nightlife programs and initiatives addressing business support, quality of life, safety and harm reduction, and cultural preservation.
- Service as the subject matter expert in the NYC nightlife industry, staying up to date with regulations, policies and industry trends.
- In partnership with ONL leadership, implement strategies to expand and improve the Office of Nightlife's programs, fostering new partnerships with nightlife venues, community organizations, and governmental bodies.
- Cultivate and maintain partnerships with advocacy organizations, industry representatives, community groups, and other associations to drive case referrals to ONL team and other SBS program teams and broaden reach of SBS programs and services.
- Provide compliance support and awareness of SBS services for nightlife businesses to ensure quality of life conditions in neighborhoods.
- In partnership with ONL leadership, create and implement programs and initiatives that drive innovation and address emerging challenges in the nightlife sector.
- Lead constituent meetings with nightlife establishments, industry advocacy groups, and agency partners as needed.
- Coordinate input from business owners and workers, and agency partners on issues
impacting New York City’s nightlife industry.
- Represent the office in a variety of capacities including at industry events, community meetings and events, inter-agency meetings (this may require periodic nighttime and weekend work.)
- Assist in the distribution of surveys for nightlife businesses, workers, performers, and patrons to inform Office of Nightlife policy formation.
- Assist in the distribution of best practices, business guidance documents, and other public facing materials for members of the nightlife industry.
- Assist in the design and development of public service campaigns, newsletter communications, and social media assets in relation to Office of Nightlife projects.
- Assist in the planning and coordination of the Office of Nightlife’s public facing events, virtual public informational webinars, and related assets.
- Coordinate with SBS outreach on events and community/industry engagement
- Oversee other special initiatives and projects as assigned.

Preferred Skills:
- Be enthusiastic about the mission of the Office of Nightlife and able to work with business owners, workers, community advocates, residents, and other stakeholders.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills and the ability to work in a collaborative, fast paced environment managing multiple time- sensitive projects.
- Experience in relationships of nightlife industry, working with small businesses, city and state agencies, Community Boards and neighborhood groups.
- Experience in community-centered activities or mediation and conflict resolution.
- Understand city and state agency regulatory processes and personnel.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of four (4) years’ work experience in government, advocacy, public policy, public administration, or a related field.
- Master’s degree with a minimum of two (2) years’ relevant work experience.
- Fluency in other languages in addition to English.
- Direct experience working in the nightlife and hospitality industry with customer-facing roles is preferred.

How to Apply:

All Applicants: Apply through https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/ search for Job ID: #695116

Current SBS Employees: Please email your resume and cover letter including the following subject line:
Nightlife Industry Liaison and send to [email protected]


Note: We appreciate the interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

If you are unable to apply via NYC Jobs, you can email your cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the following in the subject line: Nightlife Industry Liaison.

If you do not have access to email, mail your cover letter & resume to:
NYC Department of Small Business Services
Human Resources Unit
1 Liberty Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10006


Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

NOTE: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.