New York City Launches Information Technology Management Academy

New York City recently launched its Information Technology (IT) Management Academy, a new program designed to help city IT leaders strengthen their skills and acumen.

The program, which will run one full day per week through Thursday, Oct. 30, is geared toward “experienced IT leaders who have positions of significant responsibility in IT at their agencies,” according to a New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) statement. The initiative focuses on three objectives, according to DCAS.

People: Participants will expand skills in leadership, executive communication and managing IT teams.

Processes: Participants will gain essential knowledge in procurement, budgeting, and labor relations to better manage IT operations and resources with executive leadership.

IT Management: Participants will learn best practices from IT executives to address real-life scenarios that speak to the City’s unique management challenges.

As City Life Org recently reported, 27 full-time public sector employees in director-level roles and above, from 19 New York City agencies, will take part in “a tailored curriculum centered around strengthening managerial skills, enhancing strategic thinking and deepening understanding of citywide technology operations.” The NYC Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) is covering the full program cost for the initial cohort.

According to City Life Org, OTI and DCAS evaluated more than 100 nominees, choosing the 27 participants based on “leadership potential and impact to their current role, commitment to public service, strong communication, collaboration skills and agency support.” Organizations participating in the inaugural cohort include OTI, DCAS, New York City’s Department of Social Services, Department of Transportation and NYC Parks.

“For more than 20 years, the NYC Management Academy has equipped mid-level managers and emerging leaders who may be relatively new to city government with a grounding in fundamental management principles and best practices,” according to DCAS.

“[The IT Management Academy’s] rigorous three-month journey delivers strategies, skills and acumen needed to meet the unique demands of managing within a city government environment.”