Chief of Staff, BLDS

$100,000 - $110,000/Yr

City of New York - New York, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

New York, NY

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Chief of Staff for the Division of Building and Land Development Services (BLDS) at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) plays a pivotal role in managing and implementing a portfolio of initiatives that align with the agency's mission to promote quality and affordability in housing. This position is integral to the operational success of the division, which is the largest within the Office of Development, comprising over 120 staff members across various units. The Chief of Staff will work closely with the Assistant Commissioner and the BLDS Executive Office to develop, implement, track progress, and evaluate operational, policy, and strategic planning strategies for the division. The role requires collaboration with the Office of Development leadership and partner agencies to ensure alignment with the agency's goals and priorities as outlined in the Housing Blueprint. In this capacity, the Chief of Staff will serve as a liaison among the BLDS Executive Office, the Office of Development, and external stakeholders, including the Department of Buildings, Con Edison, and the Department of Environmental Protection. The ideal candidate will possess strong management experience and a relevant degree in fields such as Urban Planning, Public Administration, Architecture, or Construction Management. Technical skills and experience in affordable housing development are strongly preferred, along with excellent organizational and communication skills. The Chief of Staff will also be responsible for negotiating with diverse technical specialists and applying sound judgment in technical matters, ensuring that the division's efforts contribute effectively to the agency's mission of providing safe and affordable housing for all New Yorkers.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Assistant Commissioner and the BLDS Executive Office to develop, implement, track progress, and evaluate various operational, policy, and strategic planning strategies for the division, ensuring alignment with the Agency's mission.
• Collaborate with Office of Development leadership and various parts of the Agency to ensure that the division's efforts align with the Agency's and Administration's goals and priorities, as outlined in the Housing Blueprint.
• Serve as a liaison with senior leadership team members across the agency to represent the division in intra- and inter-agency objectives, initiatives, and special projects.
• Review proposed policy and/or legislation and identify potential impacts on project pipelines, programmatic timeframes, and technical services provided by the division.
• Develop tracking tools, technical reports, and other deliverables as requested.
• Assist in data management and data analyses for the division.
• Develop and maintain communication and strong working relationships with teams across BLDS, the Office of Development, and HPD, supporting the division's role in interagency-related initiatives.
• Respond to various inquiries and attend meetings on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner, as necessary.
• Assist with operational and/or policy-related tasks and time-sensitive requests, as necessary.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and three years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in the development, appraisal, financing, negotiation, or disposition of real estate, or in real estate law, or in urban planning or analytical or coordination work related to housing programs.
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and seven years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in the previous point.
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to the above. Graduate study in the field of urban studies, city planning, business or public administration, finance, architecture, engineering or other related fields may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 credits equaling one year of experience. Graduation from an accredited law school may be substituted for one year of the required experience. However, all candidates must have at least two years of experience as described above.

Nice-to-haves

• Demonstrated capacity for performing multiple tasks, analyzing complex processes, and using independent judgment.
• Knowledge of or experience working with affordable housing developments and/or capital projects.
• Knowledge of or experience with the design and construction process; ability to read architectural drawings and familiarity with the City's zoning and building codes is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office suite; data visualization experience is a plus.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.
• Opportunity to work in a diverse and inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.
• Potential for career advancement within the City of New York.