Deputy Director, Tort Unit

ABOUT THE ROLE The Deputy Director, Tort Unit reports directly to the Director, Tort Unit, under the general direction of the Assistant Comptroller for the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA). The BLA negotiates and approves monetary settlements of claims and lawsuits involving New York City. This role assists in managing and directing all functions of the Tort Unit, overseeing day-to-day operations, supervising staff, managing the pre-litigation settlement process, and identifying trends in municipal litigation to protect the fiscal interests of the City. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Advise and assist the Director in managing Tort Unit functions and perform the Director's duties in their absence. - Supervise Tort Division Chiefs and Claim Examiners, ensuring duties are performed to the highest professional standards. - Manage the pre-litigation settlement process of tort claims and the 50h process, including no-fault and affirmative property damage claims. - Assist in bureau-wide operational projects and the procurement of professional services, such as the Statutory 50-h contract. - Monitor high-profile and high-exposure claims, perform legal research, draft memoranda, and delegate monetary settlement authority to staff. - Resolve claim payment issues, coordinate with the Office of General Counsel on lien issues, and assist in managing the Son of Sam process. - Coordinate with the FOIL Officer, Press Office, and Community Action Center to respond to information requests. - Identify trends and changes in municipal litigation and case law, providing recommendations to executive staff. - Assist BLA units in liability and damages evaluation and provide risk management assessment strategies. - Handle administrative matters including data/technology, human resources, staff evaluations, and professional development training. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Admission to the New York State Bar. - Four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar. - Eighteen months of the required experience must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment. - No Exam Required for this Non-Competitive-5 classification. SELECTION PROCESS - Applications will be screened based on minimum qualifications and preferred skills. - Preferred skills include 3+ years of supervisory experience, strong management and negotiation skills, exceptional writing abilities, and a fundamental understanding of the relationship between the Comptroller's Office and the Law Department. HOW TO APPLY - Application Deadline: 09/07/2026 - Apply electronically through the official New York City job portal using Job ID 785443. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Number of Positions: 1 - Work Location: 1 Centre St., N.Y. (Manhattan) - Job Type: Full-Time - Experience Level: Manager (Job level M3) - Residency Requirement: New York City residency is not required. - Benefits: Eligible for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and state repayment assistance programs.