Job Opening: Director, Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation

Just posted yesterday by Empire State Development is a job opening for a new position: Director, Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation. The pay is from $70,000 to $75,000 annually--approximately the previous salary for the manager of community government relations post, and below the salary for the in-house Project Director.

Applications are due by 12/03/14, and the new AY CDC is supposed to be up and running by the third week of December. That's a short window for hiring--unless they already have an in-house or governmental candidate already in mind.

The job listing suggests a significant role for the AY CDC President (or Chair), who will be appointed by the governor and, I suspect, will be a governmental employee.

It also suggests a potential tension between serving the interests of the governor and ESD as well as the oversight and monitoring of the project. See "Provide strategic support, advice and positioning for the AYCDC President and related ESD Staff" as well as in development of ESD/Atlantic Yards Project communication strategy; actively contribute to website & utilize methods of the social media

From the job listing:

Minimum Qualifications Education Level required: Bachelor’s Degree in business, public policy, planning, real estate, or equivalent; Master’s Degree a plus

Experience required: 5+ years as a Project Manager for large real estate development projects working with government entities and private developers. Prior experience with site construction, architectural/design issues, and/or community outreach required. Local NYC experience preferred but not required.

Knowledge required: Very strong management skills; proven success with complex public/private developments with high public and community visibility. Excellent computer skills required. Must have ability to maintain meticulous records of communications, project progress, etc.

Duties Description
•Support AYCDC President as liaison to AYCDC’s Board of Directors and with Empire State Development (ESD)
•Oversees preparation of project materials necessary for review by AYCDC Board
•Coordinate all functions necessary to scheduling and holding meetings of the AYCDC board
•Act as primary responder to expressed concerns about construction and quality of life issues
•Receive and/or monitor incoming calls/emails to ensure appropriate response is delivered and messages are relayed to appropriate staff
•Checks and monitors work in progress against approved schedule, contract documents and approved project plan
•Manage relationships with stakeholders (elected officials, community groups, non-governmental actors) who have direct interest in the Atlantic Yards Project
•Provide strategic support, advice and positioning for the AYCDC President and related ESD Staff
•Track issues of concern and relevance to Brooklyn communities in project area, and develop creative resolutions to constituent complaints
•Work with the developer, State and City agencies as needed, to resolve community issues, under the direction of the AYCDC President and related EDS staff
•Assist in development of ESD/Atlantic Yards Project communication strategy; actively contribute to website & utilize methods of the social media
•Represent ESD at community events and meetings in the Brooklyn community
•Perform other job related duties and projects as required by the AYCDC President and or ESD Executive Management
•Manage procurement and Project imprest account matters