Civil Service Title: Executive Agency Counsel

Level:       M - 5   

Title Code No:   95005

Salary:   $145,000 - $180,000

Office Title:     Senior Advisor of Real Estate Services    

Work location:     1 Centre Street NY, NY 10007

Division/Work Unit: Real Estate Services

Number of Positions:  1

Hours/Shift:  Day

Job Description

The Real Estate Services (RES) division of DCAS supports the operations of the government of the City of New York by providing services for the City’s real estate needs.  RES is responsible for the space planning and management of 37 million square feet, Citywide acquisitions (lease or purchase), sales and other dispositions of City-owned real estate, architectural design and project management, zoning and land use analyses, disposition of 15,000 City-owned lots, property valuation, and financial analysis of real estate transactions.

RES seeks to hire a Senior Advisor of Real Estate Services who will report directly to the Deputy Commissioner of RES and perform a broad range of oversight responsibilities.  This position will play a crucial role advising the Deputy Commissioner and senior staff regarding business, legal, administrative, and strategic issues that arise across all units in the RES division.  This includes Leasing and Acquisitions, Portfolio Planning and Management, Design and Project Management, Real Estate Financial Services, and Land Use and Property Dispositions. 

Duties include, but are not limited to:

·       Oversight of complex and highly visible real estate transactions for City-owned properties.

·       Review all real estate transaction documents before Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner signature, i.e., licenses, permits, estoppel certificates, RFPs, purchase, and sale agreements.

• Manage oversight of multiple projects from inception to completion, and ensure that project execution is timely, thorough, and represents the best interests of the City, assessing all projects through a legal, business, and policy lens.
• Provide strategic guidance on all matters related to economic development and the efficient utilization of Real Estate’s extensive property portfolio.
• Review, advise, edit, amend, and/or negotiate any proposed legislation on behalf of RES.
• Draft, update, and revise RES policies and procedures, as needed.
• Ensure compliance with any new legislation and ensure the accuracy of RES’ regulatory reporting and statements.
• Review and address conflict matters with respect to lease transactions involving tenant representatives.
• Work closely with the Office of General Counsel, which is responsible for the development and review of legal documents necessary for the completion of legal real estate transactions on behalf of RES.
• Navigate political sensitivities in highly visible, complex real estate projects.
• Oversee compliance and legal requirements of lease and concession actions.
• Perform high level oversight of property valuations, lease administration issues, revenue collection from our leased and licensed properties, Citywide lease audit, and other related services.
• Draft speeches, letters, correspondence, and press responses, etc., where they pertain to real estate issues for the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner as needed.
• Brief senior staff, representatives from the Mayor’s Office, elected officials, and other City agencies, on complex projects.
• Internal DCAS Point of Contact coordinating with the Office of General Counsel, Facilities Management, Office of Procurement, Department of Energy Management, and Intergovernmental Affairs on all real estate transaction and policy issues.

The Senior Advisor of Real Estate Services may advise on legal matters with the understanding that their opinions and recommendations do not constrain the DCAS Office of the General Counsel (OGC) in its ability to legally represent the agency according to its best judgment.  For this reason, the Senior Advisor must work closely with OGC.  Any legal documents pertinent to real estate transactions must be prepared by OGC unless specific permission is given by OGC and done under OCG supervision.   For instance, the Senior Advisor will not prepare legal documents pertinent to real estate transactions unless it is under the supervision of the OGC and will consult with the OGC concerning any communications with counsel of outside entities.

Qualification Requirements

The candidate must have excellent academic credentials, a juris doctorate degree and at least five (five) years or more of experience in real estate, land use, economic development and/or policy.

Preferred Skills

·       Strong experience in reviewing complex leases and other real property transactions and economic initiatives.

·       Excellent research skills.

·       Expertise with NYC Charter, Administrative Code, Zoning Resolutions, the ULURP process, and other legally relevant rules and laws for transactions.

·       Ability to effectively multitask multiple projects.

·       Flexibility to quickly reassess priorities.

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills.

·       Expertise with complex real estate, development, risk management, and dispute resolution issues.

·       Familiarity with economic development regulations in New York City.

·       Familiarity with New York City procurement rules.

·       An understanding and interest in urban issues, especially New York City policy and operations, is preferred.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

To Apply

Please email resume and cover letter to svillella@dcas.nyc.gov