Deputy Director

Location: New York City Metropolitan Area

Reports to: Executive Director

Direct Reports: Director of Advocacy, Director of Policy & Government Relations

Compensation:$120,000-$140,000

About Transportation Alternatives

Transportation Alternatives (TA) is New York City's advocate for bicycling, walking, public transportation, and streets for people — a 501(c)(3) advocacy nonprofit with a 50-year history of fighting for safe and livable streets for all New Yorkers. We believe the greatest city in the world should have the greatest streets in the world, that New York City should be a world-class bicycling city, and that New Yorkers shouldn’t have to put their lives at risk just to get around.

TA is the home of Families for Safe Streets New York (FSS-NY). TA/FSS-NY combine neighborhood-level grassroots organizing, community building, traffic crash support services, and citywide advocacy to push for changes in public policy, street design, and resource allocation that transform the city's streets for the better.

Role Overview

Reporting to and working in close partnership with TA's Executive Director, the Deputy Director is TA's senior external-facing leader, responsible for developing and executing TA and FSS-NY's advocacy, organizing, policy, and government relations strategy. This role sets the strategic direction for all advocacy and policy work, supervises the leadership of grassroots organizing and government relations teams, serves as an external spokesperson and representative, and works in partnership with the ED as a strategic thought partner on substantive priorities and senior leadership team coordination.

The successful candidate will combine strong strategic judgment with genuine commitment to winning campaigns, deep expertise and relationships in NYC advocacy and policy, the ability to lead and develop two strong directors, and skill in translating complex advocacy strategy into compelling external communications.

Core Responsibilities

Senior Leadership Team & Strategic Partnership with ED

• Serve as a full member of TA's Senior Leadership Team, bringing equal voice and shared accountability to organizational decisions and cross-cutting external and substantive priorities
• Serve as the ED's primary thought partner on advocacy, policy, organizing, and external strategy; proactively identify risks, conflicts, or gaps in external strategy and bring solutions forward
• Contribute to the Senior Leadership Team's internal coordination on substantive matters: bringing advocacy and policy perspective to cross-functional decisions, surfacing emerging tensions across departments, and driving follow-through on substantive commitments
• Maintain clear, continuous communication with the ED on all critical external and advocacy issues
• Collaborate with the Chief of Staff on cross-functional issues where external strategy and internal organizational capabilities intersect (e.g., hiring and training to support campaigns, budget allocation for strategic priorities, organizational structure changes needed to enable external work)

Advocacy, Organizing & Government Relations Strategy

• In partnership with the Director of Policy & Government Relations, develop and implement TA and FSS-NY's overarching advocacy, organizing, policy, and government relations strategy, ensuring that staff, budget, and priorities are aligned with the organization's mission, vision, and values
• Anticipate the political landscape and emerging issues; develop strategic responses that position TA as a leader in safe streets advocacy
• Translate overarching strategy into concrete campaign objectives, work plans, and measurable goals for the Director of Advocacy and Director of Policy & Government Relations
• Work to align organizational budgets and resources with external strategy; ensure that people, hiring, and systems support are available to execute campaigns
• Work with the Board, advisory council, staff, activist and organizing committees, FSS members and steering committee, and other stakeholders to ensure the organization is effective and acts with purpose, vitality, and relevancy

External Communications & Representation

• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization's mission, goals, and campaign successes at hearings, internal and external meetings, press conferences, rallies, and public forums
• Partner with TA's Communications Director to develop effective messaging via press and public relations; ensure that press releases, social media, and other communications products are consistent with strategic direction and organizational values
• Work with the Communications Director to field and respond to press inquiries; represent TA in media engagements and public-facing roles
• Represent TA/FSS-NY in coalitions, political convenings, and high-level advocacy settings

Policy Development & Political Strategy

• Develop TA's long-term policy goals and strategy, including city- and state-level campaigns, to advance safe streets and make NYC a world-class city for walking, biking, and public transit
• Lead TA's strategy on critical areas including DOT infrastructure projects, city and state budgets, capital plans, funding streams, legislative campaigns, and key policy priorities (e.g., e-bike policy, traffic violence reduction)
• Build support for and win infrastructure and policy reforms by working in partnership with key influencers, including city agencies, elected officials, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations
• Anticipate political and legal constraints affecting policy rollout and advise on solutions
• Oversee research and policy work in support of TA's advocacy and organizing efforts; propose and manage longer-term research projects that advance strategic goals
• Monitor agency performance, implementation of adopted policies, and political opportunities to advance TA's agenda

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to the Director of Advocacy and Director of Policy & Government Relations
• Ensure that both directors understand TA's overarching strategic direction and that their work is aligned with organizational priorities
• Hold both directors accountable to strategic goals and measurable outcomes; support their success through regular feedback, development, and resource allocation
• Create a strong sense of cohesion between Advocacy, Policy, FSS-NY, Research, Communications, and Development teams; ensure that all external-facing functions are coordinated and mutually reinforcing
• Develop and maintain sound working relationships with key partner organizations and stakeholders; build strong, productive relationships with activist and organizing committees, volunteers, elected officials, and community partners
• Support an inclusive, collaborative culture in which teams feel empowered to raise tensions, solve problems collectively, and celebrate wins

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of senior policy, politics, advocacy, or government experience — ideally in transportation-focused roles, NYC/NYS politics, or both
• Proven track record of developing and executing advocacy strategy and winning campaigns
• Experience managing and mentoring direct reports; demonstrated ability to develop and elevate leaders
• Exceptional communication and research skills, ability to synthesize complex information into accessible memos and compelling public messaging
• Strong organizational capabilities; ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments and manage multiple priorities on deadline
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and ability to earn and sustain trust across all levels of an organization and among internal and external partners
• Strong relationships and working knowledge of NYC and/or NYS politics, government, and advocacy organizations
• Enthusiasm for and demonstrated commitment to TA's mission

Exceptional candidates will also bring:

• JD or advanced degree in public policy or government
• Deep relationships and political connections across NYC and State politics, government, and advocacy organizations
• Leadership experience in an advocacy nonprofit, political campaign, or grassroots organization
• Fluency in Spanish or another non-English language commonly spoken in New York City
• A demonstrated enthusiasm for bicycling and safe streets

Work Environment

This position is based in New York City. TA operates in a hybrid, fast-paced, and collaborative environment. Includes occasional evening and weekend availability for board obligations, organizational events, and advocacy moments.

Transportation Alternatives is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. We value having diverse staff in gender, ethnicity, background and modal preference. BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Medical (with HRA), dental, vision, and life coverage
• Optional pre-tax FSA and Commuter Benefits
• Hybrid work schedule (combination of in-person and remote)
• Three weeks vacation to start + 10 paid sick days
• Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• 401k with 3% match