Assistant Secretary for Gaming, Cannabis, and Alcohol

State of New York – Executive Chamber

Location: New York, NY or Albany, NY

Salary: $145,000-$155,000

As a member of the New York Executive Chamber, the Assistant Secretary for Gaming, Cannabis, and Alcohol serves under the Director of State Operations. The Assistant Secretary plays a central leadership role in shaping and executing the Governor’s comprehensive regulatory policy. Reporting to the Deputy Secretary for Gaming, Cannabis, and Alcohol, the Assistant Secretary advises and helps oversee operations and policy management across the state’s regulatory agencies and boards, including but not limited to: the Office of Cannabis Management, the Cannabis Control Board, the Cannabis Advisory Board, and the State Liquor Authority.

The Assistant Secretary works in close coordination with other State Operations team members, including counterparts in the Environment, Economic Development, Health, Human Services and Mental Hygiene, and Public Safety portfolios.

Duties:

• This position reports to the Deputy Secretary for Gaming, Cannabis, and Alcohol.
• Strategic Leadership & Policy Development
• Lead policy design and strategic planning across the Governor’s cannabis regulatory portfolio, including licensing, enforcement, compliance, medical cannabis, social and economic equity, and intoxicating hemp.
• Manage the integration of cannabis and SLA policy with broader economic development and equity goals.
• Direct the development of policy proposals for inclusion in the State of the State, Executive Budget, and legislative sessions.
• Agency Oversight & Program Implementation
• Oversee the performance and alignment of major regulatory agencies and boards, ensuring initiatives advance the Governor’s objectives and comply with statutory mandates.
• Monitor board meetings, regulatory changes, and program design across agencies.
• Advise the Governor’s Office on high-impact regulatory, legal, and operational developments.
• Stakeholder & Intergovernmental Engagement
• Brief the Director of State Operations, Governor, and other senior staff as needed on agency operations, key policy priorities, and ongoing issues
• Serve as a principal liaison to external stakeholders, including advocates, cannabis industry stakeholders across the supply chain, alcohol industry stakeholders across the supply chain, licensees, applicants, and various Board members.
• Engage with the Division of Budget, Governor’s Office of Counsel, and Governor’s Public Information Office to support coordinated policy and communications strategies.
• Cross-Agency and Chamber Coordination
• Partner with other portfolios within the Executive Chamber to align energy policies with the full range of Governor priorities.
• Other Duties
• Represent the Governor and Deputy Secretary at public events, interagency meetings, and stakeholder convenings.
• Travel to New York City, Albany, and other parts of the state as required.
• Prepare and review position papers, testimony, briefing materials, legislative proposals, budget initiatives, speeches and other such materials as may be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience in drug policy, public health, social equity, law, public administration, or regulatory affairs. A Master’s degree or JD may substitute for one year of experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in policy development, cannabis legalization and regulation, alcohol and liquor regulation, or social equity at the federal, state, or local level.
• Proven ability to manage complex portfolios, lead cross-functional teams, and navigate sensitive political or stakeholder environments.
• Excellent strategic thinking, written and verbal communication, and project management skills.