Executive Director, Brooklyn Marine Terminal Development Corporation (BMTDC)

Position Overview: The Brooklyn Marine Terminal Development Corporation (BMTDC) Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the strategic vision and leadership of the development corporation, advancing its mission of inclusive growth, facilitating the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT), and enabling community engagement and full use and enjoyment of the waterfront.

BMTDC is a newly formed entity that will lead the redevelopment of BMT into a modern maritime port and a vibrant mixed-use community. The Executive Director will have a unique opportunity to guide the BMT redevelopment and over time build a team from the ground up to support the goals of this transformational project.

The Executive Director of the BMTDC is responsible for providing strategic vision and leadership to advance the organization’s mission and drive the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal in alignment with the General Project Plan to be developed. The Executive Director is responsible for the operations of BMTDC and the overall success of the development.

The Executive Director serves as a strategic leader, managing executive-level and external relationships, including building and maintaining strong partnerships with community stakeholders, labor, and public sector partners, guiding staff, and leading the development and execution of strategies to achieve BMTDC’s goals.

Initially, the Executive Director will be employed by NYCEDC and supported by NYCEDC staff and resources. The Executive Director shall serve as the chief executive officer of BMTDC, report to the BMTDC Board of Directors for execution of the corporation's mission and strategic objectives, and coordinate closely with designated NYCEDC leadership regarding staffing, administrative support, and City policy matters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Execution

• Provide comprehensive oversight of BMTDC’s day-to-day operations, ensuring effective program implementation and project delivery that promotes inclusive growth and economic justice
• Lead RFP development, oversee competitive developer selection processes, and facilitate public approvals
• Lead recruitment, training, mentoring, and development of staff, providing thoughtful leadership and establishing a clear organizational structure
• Present to and brief executive level staff, City Hall, and other government partners on BMTDC development
• Other duties as assigned

Engagement

• Lead engagement and establish trust-based relationships with external parties, including community stakeholders, elected officials, non-profits, real estate developers, financial institutions, consultants, organized labor, and industry associations
• Proactively and holistically engage local community members and organizations, labor unions, maritime and industrial groups
• Provide targeted outreach to NYCHA residents and tenant associations sharing commitments and specific pathways to economic mobility
• Represent BMTDC at public meetings, external conferences, and speaking engagements, sharing project commitments as relevant

Governance

• Manage BMTDC’s budget and direct BMTDC’s financial management ensuring financial oversight, resource allocation, grant management
• Manage the governance of BMTDC. This includes but is not limited to:
• BMTDC Board of Director and committee meeting, and public hearings
• Set the agenda for the various governance meetings
• Serve as the principal liaison to the Board of Directors, providing regular reports on performance, risks, and progress toward strategic objectives
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to support the BMT development and ensure its financial health and viability

Impact

• Leverage decision-making authority to advance programs and projects that maximize impact and deliver targeted outcomes while prioritizing shared, inclusive growth and community needs
• Lead recruitment, training, and development of staff, and establish a clear organizational structure
• Reinforce and refine the project’s vision, working to maximize a benefit driven, positive impact for community residents

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree required, and a strong preference for an advanced degree  
• 10+ years of experience in leadership roles in the following relevant fields, which could include public policy, urban planning, real estate, development, finance
• Strong preference for candidates with knowledge of maritime operations, port logistics, and/or waterfront industrial uses and/or prior leadership experience in transportation, particularly in the context of large-scale infrastructure or housing projects
• Proven ability to engage thoughtfully and collaboratively with community organizations, labor stakeholders, and impacted communities, fostering inclusive engagement to move complex projects forward
• Familiarity with NYC government and New York State land use processes
• Demonstrated success advancing and delivering complex projects in dynamic environments, with the ability to lead, plan, and execute in collaboration with diverse stakeholders
• Experience structuring and negotiating complex real estate transactions, underpinned by knowledge of NYC real estate development practices, economic development, and planning policies to inform strategic decision-making and risk mitigation
• Advanced experience crafting, refining and delivering written and oral communications, with demonstrated experience in public speaking and media relations
• Experience in large public works projects, with a solid understanding of economic development tools and resources, public policy issues, and managing large, complex budgets and securing grants
• Demonstrated leadership experience with managing large cross functional teams to advance projects from planning to execution
• Ability to prioritize competing needs and opportunities 
• Enjoys working in a collaborative, team-based environment and has demonstrated effective management skills
• New York City residence is required within 180 days of hire