Battery Park City Authority

Background:
Established in 1968 through an act of the State legislature, the Battery Park City Authority is responsible for planning, creating, coordinating, and sustaining a balanced community of commercial, residential, retail, and park space on a 92-acre site on the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Among its numerous accomplishments, the Authority revitalized a deteriorating area of the Hudson River where the remnants of long abandoned piers once stood, transforming it into 36 acres of vibrant public space and some of the most desirable residential and commercial real estate in the country. As the neighborhood has grown, the Authority has remained open and flexible to the changing needs of the community, now home to robust commercial businesses and nearly 17,000 residents. Today, it is known as a model of environmentally responsible urban development. In partnership with 100 Resilient Cities and with input from BPC community stakeholders, the Authority’s Resilience Action Plan — their first-ever strategic plan — aims to cultivate a more inclusive community, the development of innovative climate resiliency and sustainability policies and practices, and the highest standards in the stewardship of its public spaces and resources.

Position:
The President & CEO is responsible for leading the organization of approximately 180 employees across a range of departments that include horticulture, maintenance, legal, finance, human resources, administration, real property, and parks programming. Working closely with the Board and leadership team, the President & CEO ensures that the daily operations of the organization are carried out efficiently and effectively and that the strategic plan goals are supported, achieved, and measured.

The President and CEO will have excellent management and communications skills and work effectively with a complicated and layered set of stakeholders that include the local community, property owners, local businesses, City and State agencies, elected and appointed officials, and private sector institutions. They must be able to build and sustain relationships and networks and demonstrate leadership across all levels. Thisindividual must be able to represent the Battery Park City Authority in public settings and with other organizations in the New York area.  They must be able to work closely with the Board and staff in a supportiveand direct manner with a minimum of ego.

The successful candidate will be an effective problem solver, innovative thinker, and experienced manager with strong communication skills. The position requires a solid understanding of fiscal operations, real estate matters, capital construction, budgeting, contract administration, information technology, and operational management. Candidates should demonstrate a long and diversified track record of accomplishment. In addition, they should be diplomatic, of the highest integrity, and possess sound judgment and high emotional intelligence.

Essential Duties

• Works with the board of directors to establish short-term objectives as well as long-range goals and related plans and policies.
• Updates the Board Chair regularly on the status of the Authority’s operations and facilitates briefings of board members as needed with senior management.
• Leads the execution of the Authority’s strategic plan and sustainability plan, and coastal flood protection.
• Oversees the development of the organization’s fiscal year budget and ensures adequate and sound funding for the mission and goals of the Authority, including periodic bond offerings to support capital projects.
• Ensures the Authority carries out its fiduciary duty in generating appropriate revenues to fund the organization’s budget and its obligation to provide remaining funds to the City of New York.
• Regularly updates the Governor’s Office and coordinates as needed on legislation, policy, and communications.
• Coordinates with the Mayor’s Office and Comptroller’s Office as needed to obtain approvals as required by the Settlement Agreement on capital project and ground lease matters.
• Interfaces with a range of stakeholders including the community board, local cultural institutions, elected officials, industry organizations, and neighborhood groups.
• Sets the direction for the organization’s legislative agenda and its compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards.
• Advances the Authority’s resiliency efforts, including completion of construction for the South Battery Park City Resiliency project and the completion of the design and construction for the North/West Battery Park City Resiliency project, including various government approvals, bond funding, and the construction itself.
• Negotiates commercial and residential ground leases to address concerns around uncertainty with regards to ground rent reset formulas and lease term concerns.
• Leads the effort to preserve and expand affordable housing through negotiations with building owners and, as required, with City and State housing agencies.
• Champions the maintenance and activation of world-class parks through forward-thinking design, craftsmanship, public programming, and public art.
• Serves as the organization’s representative to the press and public, through media interviews, community meetings, and other public speaking engagements.
• Performs other related duties to benefit the mission of the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required, master’s degree preferred
• 15+ years of experience in executive management, with a track record of setting and realizing outcome-oriented organizational objectives in collaboration with an engaged board and an experienced executive team
• Expertise in personnel, budget, and project management, including the development and execution of strategic plans, operating and capital budgets, and systems that drive quality and speed
• Demonstrated experience in the planning and execution of large-scale capital construction projects (preferred)
• Familiarity with New York City and State government (first-hand preferred)
• Outstanding written and oral communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, ability to serve as the public presence of the Authority in the media and at public events
• Experience working with a board and the ability to leverage their time and talents in support of organizational success
• Superior managerial and interpersonal skills and experience leading staff in a multifaceted, multifunctional environment in ways that emphasize collaboration and teamwork

The negotiable salary range for this position is $250,000-275,000.

For more information about the Battery Park City Authority, please visit their website at https://bpca.ny.gov

All positions at the Battery Park City Authority are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.