Fifth Avenue Association

Background:
The Fifth Avenue Association, a not-for-profit business improvement district, seeks a new Vice President for Operations and Finance to support the President and the Board in running the organization.

The Fifth Avenue Association was founded in 1907 based on a belief that commercial progress and the growth of land values are the direct consequences of organized communal effort. The Association’s original vision was to safeguard the Avenue and elevate the design standards and beauty of the Avenue.  The Association was the first community organization in New York City that made changes to improve the street and the surrounding neighborhood. The Association’s initial work included widening sections of the Avenue, clearing sidewalks of obstructions, removing projecting signs, increasing police protection, and barring peddlers and loiterers. The problem of traffic regulation received scientific study. Another fundamental principle of the Association was that art and industry go hand-in-hand. The Association promoted architectural harmony and presented yearly prizes for the best new buildings and the best renovated buildings.

Today the Association’s goal is to ensure Fifth Avenue is the most beautiful, welcoming, dynamic, and engaging street in the world. The Association believes Fifth Avenue must first and foremost welcome all New Yorkers and be a place where locals choose to spend their time. The Association is presently working with the City of New York to implement a $250 million renovation of the street, sidewalks, and public spaces. This renovation will focus on place making by prioritizing people over vehicles. Tree-lined streets with gardens and cafe seating will encourage all people to come to the Avenue, stay on the Avenue and enjoy the public spaces.

The Fifth Avenue Association boundaries extend from 46^th Street to 60^th Street and along 57^th Street between Madison Avenue and Sixth Avenue. In 1993, the Association officially became a Business Improvement District (BID) with an annual budget of $4 MM. Today the Association’s annual budget is $8 MM. The Association has a stellar reputation for providing supplemental security and sanitation service.  The consistency and dependability of these services has allowed Fifth Avenue to maintain its status as one of the best shopping streets in the world. Over 300,000 people visit the Avenue each day.

The Position:
Reporting directly to the President, the newly created Vice President of Operations and Finance, will be a critical leadership role in an organization that is at the heart of New York City ambition, success, and visibility. This position oversees the finances, administrative policies, and operations for the $8 million annual budget, with forty-one staff members.

The right candidate will have a proven track record of leadership in senior management positions for significant institutions.  They will act as a trusted advisor to the President and the Board, and will be an accountable, critical partner to the management team and the staff.  The successful candidate will understand and demonstrate experience in business planning, operations, and positioning in a complex organizational structure.  They will have experience handling multiple funding sources and an ability to articulate successful strategies to maintain fiscal viability.

The VPOF will manage a team of people with diverse skills.  Candidates must be adept leaders with an ability to develop colleagues aligned with organizational values of accountability and autonomy.  Further, the successful candidate will have strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills, a hands-on management style, and the ability to address and solve problems or issues proactively. In addition, they  should be diplomatic, be an active and engaged problem solver, and possess sound judgment.

The Vice President of Operations and Finance has four core areas of responsibility:

Organizational Leadership

• Support the President on the annual work plan, priority initiatives, goals, and strategic plans for operations.
• Lead the annual budget process working with the President and staff.
• Support Board operations, including regular Executive Committee updates and planning annual meetings.
• Manage timely execution of deliverables related to SBS, EDC, and other City and State agencies.
• Review all operational, finance, HR, and IT systems.

Finance

• Work with the Accounting Manager to oversee cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial, project-based, budget management, and departmental accounting.
• Provide recommendations to the President based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
• Work closely with NYC Department of Small Business Services, oversee assessment roll and effective district plan administration for BID properties.
• When appropriate, negotiate and manage contracts that support the work of security, sanitation, and streetscaping.

Operations

• Direct Operations team on the planning, delivery, and quality assurance of core Association services, including security, sanitation, landscaping, and maintenance.
• Maintain accurate reporting systems for all service delivery and streetscape assets.
• Perform field work as needed by regularly checking on the condition of public space, maintenance and repair work, and quality of life issues.

Administration

• Oversee staff matters relating to human resources, IT, insurance, procurement, vendor management, tax matters, and facility management.
• Work with outside counsel and insurance broker to ensure contracts and policies meet the needs of the organization; oversee the resolution of pending legal matters.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate for the Vice President of Operations + Finance position will have the following minimum qualifications and attributes:

• Undergraduate degree; graduate degree in nonprofit administration, business administration, real estate, economic development, or law preferred.
• At least 5 years of managerial experience in business assistance, real estate, economic development, business, or non-for-profit management, or related field.
• Experience with oversight of an operational budget, including ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget and successful P&L management.
• Understanding of the roles BIDs play in assisting businesses and property owners.
• A team builder with an exceptional capacity for working with others.
• Experience working with city agencies, business improvement district.
• Proven track record of setting and exceeding goals; the ability to consistently make sound decisions based upon analysis, experience, and strategic thinking.
• Highly organized; ability to prioritize and juggle multiple projects at once while navigating a fast paced, demanding environment.
• Thorough understanding of finance, systems, and HR; broad experience with the full range of business functions and systems, including strategic development and planning, budgeting, business analysis, finance, information systems, and human resources.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strategic and proactive management of multiple priorities, and the ability to be responsive to evolving opportunities and challenges.
• A love of New York City and the wonderful and exciting things that happen here.

For more information about the Fifth Avenue Association, please visit their website at www.fifthavenue.nyc

Other information:

• The Vice President of Operations and Finance may need to work some nights and weekends.
• The work is on-site.
• Anticipated salary range is $140,000 to $175,000 per year, plus benefits.

All positions at the Fifth Avenue Association 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.