Sr. Executive Counsel, Real Estate

Job Description

Job Description

*Applicants MUST submit a cover letter with resume to be considered.

*This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy.

* Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply . Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Sr. Executive Counsel, Real Estate will serve as a lead legal strategist for ESD most complex real estate and economic development initiatives. Reporting to the General Counsel, this person will manage the legal lifecycle of large-scale projects that drive regional economic growth.

WORK PERFORMED:

• Drafting and negotiating all legal documents necessary for implementation of ESD real estate and economic development projects;
• Act as a liaison to chamber on all real estate legal matters; Provide counsel and strategic advice to ESD’s real estate development and to other ESD departments as well as ESD management as needed;
• Provide high level strategic counsel to the Real Estate department and executive chamber on project feasibility, risk allocation and dispute resolutions.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams of in-house staff and outside consultants (Including private developers, State and local government entities, outside counsel, environmental consultants, architects and others) to develop General Project Plans for single and multi-parcel real estate development projects for commercial and mixed uses Statewide;
• Represent ESD on all aspects of general corporate matters including the drafting, negotiation and/or review of diverse corporate documents by and among public and private parties;
• Assist in ensuring compliance with UDC Act, all UDC legislation and related laws and regulations;
• Perform administrative and other tasks assigned by the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel;
• Supervise assistant, associate counsels, senior counsel, interns and outside counsel and consultants for ESD.
• Lead the legal response to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, ensuring transparency while protecting privileged or proprietary information.
• Legislative Drafting;
• Corporate Governance including reviewing, drafting and interpreting Director’s Materials and Resolutions;

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education Level Required : J.D. plus admission to the New York State bar.

Relevant Experience required : A minimum of ten (10) years of general legal experience in real estate and one or more of the following areas preferred: Financing and/or other corporate transactions. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think strategically and provide business – practical legal advice a strong plus. Ideal candidate will have relevant in-house or public sector experience, including exposure to large-scale development projects. Experience working in government or as outside counsel to governmental entities preferred. Knowledge of construction and zoning laws and regulation is desirable.

Knowledge Required : Excellent verbal and written communication skills and negotiation skills. A minimum of 50% in-office presence is required.