Principal, Inclusive Cities — Lead Urban Change (Hybrid)

HR&A Advisors; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 156,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

HR&A Advisors in New York seeks a Principal to lead public-sector and philanthropic engagements in the Inclusive Cities practice. You will guide scoping, delivery, budgets, timelines, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver actionable recommendations.

The ideal candidate brings 12+ years of experience, deep knowledge of city operations and budgets, and a proven ability to translate policy goals into implementable programs while advancing racial and economic justice.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in NYC government or comparably complex city systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day project lead for public-sector, philanthropic, and quasi-public clients, ensuring work is grounded in political, fiscal, and operational realities.
• Lead complex client engagements from scoping through delivery, managing budgets, timelines, and multidisciplinary teams to produce clear, actionable recommendations.
• Translate policy goals into executable strategies, including program design, governance frameworks, capital strategies, and implementation roadmaps.
• Oversee rigorous analysis and deliverable production, maintaining high standards of clarity, accuracy, and usefulness for senior decision-makers.
• Manage and mentor project teams, providing direction, feedback, and support while fostering a culture of rigor, inclusion, and respect.
• Engage directly with senior public-sector and philanthropic leaders, supporting decision-making through developing structured options and implementation-focused guidance.
• Actively support business development by cultivating client relationships, contributing to proposals, and identifying opportunities aligned with the Inclusive Cities practice.
• Help define the direction and priorities of the Inclusive Cities practice, including refining methodologies, strengthening public-sector advisory capabilities, and supporting HR&A’s growth.

Skills

Project leadership

Public sector engagement

Policy translation

Analytical thinking

Writing & presentation

Mentoring

Job description

HR&A Advisors in New York seeks a Principal to lead public-sector and philanthropic engagements in the Inclusive Cities practice. You will guide scoping, delivery, budgets, timelines, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver actionable recommendations.

The ideal candidate brings 12+ years of experience, deep knowledge of city operations and budgets, and a proven ability to translate policy goals into implementable programs while advancing racial and economic justice.