VP, Real Estate

*Applicants MUST submit a cover letter with resume to be considered.

*This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy.

*Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require accommodation.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development and Planning, the Vice President, Real Estate will oversee a team of project managers to lead a diverse portfolio of statewide real estate development projects and transactions from community engagement and planning, financial underwriting, environmental review and public approvals, closing, disposition, and construction. The Vice President will play a leadership role and be an integral part of a small, dynamic team. Provide strategic direction and oversight while both being responsible for guiding staff in managing intra- and interagency teams and consultants; negotiating with developers and other public and private partners; collaborating with elected officials and other community stakeholders; and analyzing project financing.

WORK PERFORMED:

• Oversee a team of project managers and provide direct oversight, support in executing all phases of real estate development projects, and skill development and training.
• Supervise multidisciplinary ESD project teams tasked with planning, financial underwriting, securing entitlements, transaction document drafting and negotiating, public outreach, and disposing of underutilized State properties to facilitate large-scale housing, economic development, and open space projects throughout NYS.
• Execute real estate transactions including crafting term sheets and negotiating transactional documents such as ground leases, purchase and sales agreements, and PILOT payment structures.
• Manage relationships with public and private parties involved in ESD's real estate development projects including landlords/landowners, developers, architects, urban planners, financial consultants, engineers, appraisers, title abstract companies, attorneys, environmental consultants, State and municipal agencies, and others.
• For portfolio properties ranging from a single development to a sitewide master plan, provide strategic direction in the shaping and implementation of community engagement processes, conducting programmatic, design, and financial site feasibility analysis, drafting of Request for Proposals and subsequent proposal evaluation and designation, and structuring of transactions.
• Collaborate with department leadership in developing and executing political and press strategies.
• Support department leadership in strategic planning activities and formulation and implementation of department policies and procedures.
• Some travel may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education Level: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in real estate, finance, urban planning, business, law, public policy or related field strongly preferred.

Equivalent Experience required: 7+ years of experience in at least one of the following fields: real estate, finance, economic development, affordable housing, urban planning, public administration or related field. 3+ years of supervisory and management responsibility.

Knowledge required: Strong quantitative skills and financial underwriting, Excel proficiency; strong demonstrated written and oral communications and presentation skills; ability to 'set up the problem', manage projects against tight timelines, and work well in teams; ability to look at the big picture and search for insightful, creative solutions; ability to prioritize among competing needs and opportunities; enterprising and resourceful, organized and results oriented; energetic, pro-active, collaborative and strategic; knowledge of New York State and/or general issues relevant to economic development. Knowledge of construction is a plus.

Competencies:

• Effective and compassionate leader: manages and mentors' staff effectively; confident in making decisions; exercises good judgment.
• Problem-solver: identifies, prioritizes and addresses performance deficiencies by focusing on the "20% of the issue driving 80% of the result"; breaks down complex problems into manageable components; willing to question and revisit the status quo; able to navigate bureaucratic impediments to achieve pragmatic results.
• Quick study and big-picture thinker: quickly gets up to speed on complex government bureaucracies, programs and policies; employs systems-level thinking to understand goals and interdependencies across agency; considers the impact of a decision both internally and externally, short- and long-term.
• Collaborator and team player: builds supportive, trusting relationships with agency colleagues; cultivates network of diverse colleagues from which to solicit information, feedback and resources; seeks to understand needs of colleagues and proactively identifies opportunities and offers support.
• Synthesizer: communicates in ways understandable to intelligent non-experts; summarizes key points efficiently and clearly; prepares professionally written materials suitable for dissemination.
• Active listener: validates problem hypotheses and potential solutions with staff, managers and external constituents; listens to broader environment to identify and understand sensitivities.
• Attention to detail: carefully reviews work products before advancing to colleagues and external stakeholders to submit work that is context appropriate, clear and error free.