Vice President, Land Use

Our Vision: To make New York City the global model for inclusive innovation and economic growth, fueled by the City’s diverse people and businesses.   

Our Mission: Creating a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. 

The Land Use Department is situated within NYCEDC’s Planning Division, and together with the Neighborhood Strategies and Transportation Departments works to promote robust, inclusive growth in the city’s neighborhoods and waterfronts. The Land Use Department is a team of planners who provide in-house consultation and project management for NYCEDC projects on zoning, environmental review, contaminated site cleanup, landmark issues, urban renewal, federal and state regulated wetland issues, and other land use topics. We deliver land use and infrastructure projects to serve the needs of all New Yorkers through collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and external partners. 

Recent projects supported by the Land Use Department include the work to construct open space and fill in the gaps of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, completing environmental review for the expansion of the New York City Ferry system, the ongoing implementation of the Coney Island Master Plan, and project approval support for offshore wind initiatives, the Hunts Point Produce Market redevelopment, various Brooklyn Army Terminal initiatives, and the development of the Made In New York Campuses in Sunset Park.  

Position Overview: Within the Land Use team, the Vice President (VP) operates with a high degree of independent judgment and professional responsibility. They are responsible for overseeing project approval processes and providing technical expertise to departments leading projects throughout NYCEDC. The VP supports project teams with specific strategies to mitigate risk and navigate the complex regulatory processes needed to secure approvals, including but not limited to zoning regulations, city/state/federal environmental review, and the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). The Vice President’s portfolio could include projects from anywhere in the 5 boroughs with diverse project goals such as providing quality job opportunities, building climate change resiliency, affordable housing, public open space or transportation improvements. The Vice President is also responsible for managing other Land Use staff and overseeing their work managing projects on a day-to-day basis.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Advise interdisciplinary NYCEDC project teams by defining land use issues, designing and implementing land use strategies for a range of projects involving local, state and federal actions including land use approvals, environmental reviews, waterfront and other required permits. Provide project teams with technical expertise from project formulation through public approvals to implementation.
• Manage a portfolio of projects, largely supervising junior project managers in Land Use, overseeing the review of technical applications and documents in zoning, environmental review, waterfront permitting and other land use regulations, and guiding problem solving and strategy.
• Guide junior staff and lead in internal and external communications (including presentations, memos, etc.) to effectively communicate project recommendations, decision points, and/or findings to various audiences (e.g., senior NYCEDC staff, partner agencies, external stakeholders).
• Act as liaison to development partners and public agencies, working to build consensus-based solutions to land use issues and maintain working trust-based relationships with external agency regulators.
• As needed, serve as project/team leader and main point-of-contact for projects with complex land use issues.
• Assist the department head with staffing strategy, hiring, onboarding, and training.
• Serve as technical advisor for on-call retainer consultants for land use and related issues.
• Other projects and tasks as assigned. 

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning or a related field and 6+ or more years of relevant experience.  
• Extensive knowledge and experience with New York City zoning and planning, including local, state, and federal environmental regulations and review procedures.
• Knowledge and experience of waterfront permitting for infrastructure projects, preferred.
• Experience managing complex projects from ideation through execution involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience using spreadsheets and presentation applications such as Excel and PowerPoint; GIS/AutoCAD a plus.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication, including written and verbal, and experience creating and delivering presentations to internal and external stakeholders with a flexible and adaptable communication style.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.  
• Experience managing and coaching staff.
• Demonstrates agile and results-focused approach, ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team. 
• Ability to travel as needed (across the five boroughs of New York City), and attend evening and occasional weekend meetings.
• New York City residency is required within 180 days of hire. 

Salary Range

$115,000—$120,000 USD

About Us: New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors, with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. 

NYCEDC is committed to offering competitive benefits to support employee health, happiness, and work-life balance.  We offer comprehensive benefits and unique perks to ensure NYCEDC employees flourish in their professional and personal lives:  

• Generous employer subsidized health insurance 
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans  
• Vision and hearing benefits
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care  
• Short term and long-term disability coverage
• 100% employer covered life insurance and supplemental life insurance coverage.
• Up to 25 vacation days
• Floating Holidays and Summer Fridays
• Parental leave - up to 20 paid weeks
• Retirement savings programs
  • Company-paid 401(a) defined contribution plan
  • 457(b) tax-advantaged retirement savings plan
• Tuition Reimbursement program
• Continuing education and professional development
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• College savings plan
• Backup childcare  
• Gym membership discounts
• A Calm.com membership for mindfulness and mental health support  
• Employee discounts through Plum Benefits, Student Loan Servicing tools, and much more   

Benefits listed above may vary based on the length and nature of your employment with New York City Economic Development Corporation. These benefits are subject to be modified at any time, at the discretion of the organization. 

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our Diversity, Equity, and Social Responsibility Mission is to create a People First strategy by attracting, retaining, and engaging a diverse and talented workforce. Like the city of New York, NYCEDC knows our strength comes from each of our connected parts, making the fabric of our organization better and stronger because of our unique employees' talents. 

For more information, visit our website at edc.nyc.