Senior Advisor to Chief Operating Officer

Position Overview: The Senior Advisor serves as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to the Chief Operating Officer, helping to advance EDC's highest-priority organizational, operational, and development initiatives. Reporting directly to the COO, the Senior Advisor provides leadership across the COO's portfolio, driving execution of complex cross-functional priorities, supporting executive decision-making, managing organizational initiatives, and ensuring alignment across departments.

The Senior Advisor works closely with the COO, CEO, executive leadership team, City Hall stakeholders, and external partners to advance strategic objectives, address critical organizational challenges, and implement initiatives that support EDC's mission. This role oversees a broad portfolio spanning internal operations, major real estate and development initiatives, technology and data modernization, financial planning, organizational effectiveness, and City Hall priorities.

The ideal candidate is a highly strategic and collaborative leader with deep experience managing complex projects, influencing senior stakeholders, navigating ambiguity, and driving results across large organizations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

COO Portfolio Management

• Serve as a strategic thought partner and advisor to the COO on organizational priorities, emerging issues, operational challenges, and long-term initiatives.
• Lead the coordination and execution of priority initiatives across the COO's portfolio, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely delivery of key objectives.
• Oversee the development of executive briefings, presentations, decision memos, and materials for the COO, CEO, Board of Directors, and other senior stakeholders.
• Monitor and assess progress across strategic priorities, identifying risks, opportunities, dependencies, and issues requiring executive attention.
• Represent the COO in meetings, working groups, and cross-functional discussions, as appropriate.
• Support organizational planning and priority-setting efforts across the COO's portfolio and partner divisions.

Project Briefing and Advisory Support

• Lead complex, high-profile projects and initiatives that span multiple departments, business functions, and external stakeholders.
• Partner with the Deputy COO and other executive leadership to develop strategies, solve organizational challenges, and advance enterprise-wide objectives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for cross-functional workstreams, ensuring stakeholders remain aligned and informed throughout project lifecycles.
• Develop recommendations, analyses, and implementation plans related to operational effectiveness, organizational performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Advise and support the Asset Management division and other departments on significant organizational priorities and special projects.
• Partner with the COO, CFO, and executive leadership to support development of EDC's annual management budget, OMB capital and expense plans, and other strategic planning efforts.

Major Initiatives & Executive Priorities

• In partnership with the Deputy COO, Lead strategic initiatives related to technology modernization, data infrastructure, organizational effectiveness, and operational improvement.
• Drive coordination and execution of major property development initiatives, ensuring alignment among project teams, operational stakeholders, City Hall, and external partners.
• Manage high-priority City Hall initiatives and executive requests by coordinating internal stakeholders, tracking commitments, and ensuring timely responses and outcomes.
• Conduct and oversee complex research, analysis, and strategic assessments to inform executive decision-making and organizational priorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with City Hall, government agencies, community partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree in business, public administration, public policy, urban planning, real estate, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in project management, strategy, operations, economic development, real estate, government, consulting, or a related field.
• Effective project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, multiple internal and external stakeholders, and workstreams simultaneously.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, identify key issues, and develop clear recommendations.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to develop executive-level presentations, briefings, and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate across departments, functions, and levels of an organization.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and operate effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Experience working with senior executives, government stakeholders, or public-sector organizations preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• New York City residency is required within 180 days of hire.