Vice President, Neighborhood Strategies

The Neighborhood Strategies Department is part of NYCEDC’s Planning Division and, together with the Land Use Department, works to promote robust, inclusive growth in New York City’s neighborhoods and waterfronts. Neighborhood Strategies is a team of urban planners who conceive and implement complex multiagency initiatives in all five boroughs, working across infrastructure and open space investment, mixed-use redevelopment of public sites, community engagement, and waterfront resilience. Their current projects include planning housing and infrastructure in Coney Island; public realm and TOD planning around the Broadway Junction transit hub; supporting jobs growth in the East New York Industrial Business Zone; planning for transformation of the 100+ acre Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a modern maritime and mixed-use community hub; and waterfront and public realm investments alongside public-private development on Staten Island's North Shore and in Long Island City, Queens. 

 The Neighborhood Strategies department coordinates interdepartmental efforts and City agency partners on physical planning and related interdisciplinary initiatives; plans for large-scale public infrastructure investment and public-private development; conducts spatial analyses to identify and deepen understanding of neighborhood vulnerabilities and opportunities; and shapes and leads processes to meaningfully engage communities and stakeholders in inclusive planning while navigating through public approval processes.  The team is made up of approximately 20 talented, dedicated public servants with a passion for New York City and its people and neighborhoods. 

Position Overview: Within Neighborhood Strategies, Vice Presidents help to set strategic direction and oversee a portfolio of projects with a geographic or subject matter focus.  This position would manage an exciting portfolio of NYCEDC projects in Brooklyn and may also lead projects in other boroughs.  Their managerial responsibilities include internal and external project team coordination, giving direction, setting workplans, and ensuring that deadlines are met; developing project messaging; managing up to NYCEDC leadership; interacting with external stakeholders including representing NYCEDC in public forums; and developing overall strategies for effectively advancing projects towards big-picture goals.  VPs also manage one-to-two direct reports and provide mentoring and coaching to junior staff.  The role also includes participation in larger company and Citywide policy initiatives.  Vice Presidents report to the Senior Vice President who leads the Neighborhood Strategies Department. 

 Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction, problem solving, and coordination for multidisciplinary teams engaged in large-scale planning and development efforts 
• Develop and maintain expertise about Brooklyn’s neighborhoods and political landscape, key planning issues, real estate markets and development trends, and other information, serving as a resource to NYCEDC and its leadership 
• Build and maintain relationships with governmental entities; civic & community organizations; business and development stakeholders; and advocacy groups, both borough-wide and in key neighborhoods where NYCEDC is advancing projects 
• Articulate a vision for and evaluate the feasibility of future public-private development, based on analysis of site constraints and opportunity, sound planning principles, and market realities 
• Conduct neighborhood-scale analysis of key planning considerations such the public realm, waterfront resilience, infrastructure and open space, and development potential, integrating this analysis into actionable plans for districts and waterfronts 
• Craft and implement public engagement and outreach, representing the organization in professional and public forums and implementing engagement that is accessible, inclusive, and persuasive   
• Effectively manage consultant teams to produce quality work products, meet milestones, and communicate across various audiences 
• Coordinate interdepartmental resources within NYCEDC, particularly with the Real Estate Transaction Services, Capital Program, Asset Management, and External Affairs divisions 
• Lead project communication with NYCEDC’s President’s Office, City Hall staff, elected representatives, and staff at other agencies across government 
• Support the professional growth of junior staff within the department 

Requirements:

• Master's Degree in urban/city planning or a related field, including but not limited to public policy/public administration, geography/GIS, architecture, urban design, or real estate 
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience preferred 
• Experience directly managing staff 
• Demonstrated expertise in project management involving teams and coordination across multiple disciplines, departments, and organizations 
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in Brooklyn and its built environment, physical development, neighborhoods, and economy 
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience with public planning and development processes, including public approval processes 
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, with experience communicating complex technical issues to both specialist and lay audiences including decisionmakers and members of the public 
• Solid working knowledge of urban infrastructure, economic development, land use, housing, transportation, and other relevant planning issues 
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial and leadership skills, with an ability to work independently and take initiative 
• Demonstrated experience with community engagement, including public speaking and presentation, facilitation, and working with diverse communities using equitable 
• Experience using spreadsheet and presentation applications, including Excel and PowerPoint 
• New York City residence is required within 180 days of hire