Chief of Staff

Background:

Established in 1968 through an act of the State legislature, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) is a public benefit corporation dedicated to managing and sustaining a vibrant, balanced community on the Lower West Side of Manhattan. BPCA transformed a deteriorating section of the Hudson River, where abandoned piers once stood, into a mixed residential and commercial space that includes 36 acres of public parks and hosts hundreds of arts, cultural, recreational, and educational programs annually. The Battery Park City Authority also oversees major capital projects, including climate adaptation initiatives to protect the neighborhood’s waterfront, and manages a portfolio of ground leases and other real estate assets to ensure the long-term vitality of the community.

Led by its President & CEO in collaboration with a seven-member Board of Directors, BPCA remains responsive to the evolving needs of its nearly 17,000 residents and thriving commercial sector. BPCA serves as a model of environmentally responsible urban development and has partnered with 100 Resilient Cities and local stakeholders to develop its first Resilience Action Plan. This plan promotes inclusivity, advances innovative climate resiliency and sustainability practices, and upholds the highest standards in stewardship of public spaces and resources. As remaining development projects are completed and the neighborhood dynamics evolve, BPCA continues to modernize its operational systems, emphasizing long-term stewardship, financial oversight, and operational excellence to support increasingly complex initiatives.

The Position:

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Chief of Staff will be a key member of the BPCA executive leadership team. In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief of Staff will drive the execution of high-priority projects, support institutional transformation and accountability, and ensure seamless coordination across internal teams, the Board of Directors, and external stakeholders. This role will manage the day-to-day operations of the executive office, including scheduling, meeting coordination, and preparation of reports, presentations, and briefing materials for both the President & CEO and the Board. They will play a central role in advancing organizational initiatives, improving operational effectiveness, and enhancing the executive office’s strategic capacity.

The ideal candidate will handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, balancing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands. They will be a highly organized, proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, be strategic and detail-oriented, and capable of fostering collaboration across teams while supporting both internal staff and external partners. A background in executive-level support, organizational operations, and stakeholder engagement is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Develop project scopes, schedules, and budgets and oversee their implementation.
• Coordinate with the Project Management Office to help ensure that feedback from the President & CEO is incorporated accurately and that project scopes, schedules, and delivery commitments are clearly defined, communicated, and managed.
• Proactively anticipate challenges and identify opportunities, proposing solutions and plans that enhance organizational operations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communications

• Serve as a liaison between the President & CEO, the Board Chair, and other key stakeholders, assessing inquiries and determining appropriate courses of action.
• Support the development of executive communications, including memos, presentations, external communications, and social media posts.
• Maintain and update contact lists, mailing lists, and records to support organizational outreach and engagement efforts.

Organizational Culture & Change Management

• Promote operational excellence and high standards of customer service across internal teams and external interactions.
• Support process improvements and change initiatives that enhance efficiency, accountability, and organizational impact.
• Foster collaboration, empower staff, and encourage innovation while maintaining a focus on results and organizational priorities.

Executive Support

• Manage day-to-day executive office operations, including calendar management, meeting organization, agenda development, minutes drafting, filing, and document management.
• Ensure that preparation and planning for board meetings is carried out effectively; provide support to Board Members as requested.
• Develop detailed briefings for the President & CEO to prepare for both internal and external meetings and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree in public administration, business, or related fields preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience leading and executing projects to improve organizational operations, with a preference for candidates who have experience on executive teams, in public sector organizations, and managing external stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to guide, motivate, and develop individuals or teams; ability to empower others by fostering autonomy, accountability, and professional growth.
• Strong emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, diplomacy, and empathy.
• Innovative mindset with a track record of generating creative solutions and driving continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate across departments, and support executive decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.

Compensation: Salary in the range of $105,000 - $125,000, annually.

This is a full-time, exempt role at BPCA. The work location is 200 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10281.

BPCA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Battery Park City Authority has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Raydel Rijo

Research and Operations Manager

Harris Rand Lusk

260 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Email cover letter and resume to: rrijo@harrisrand.com

Please include “BPCA, Chief of Staff” in the subject line of the email.

Comprehensive benefits package