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.