Vice President of Capital Projects

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 and 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:

The Vice President of Capital Projects is a senior leader responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and oversight of BPCA’s capital development program, including formulation of annual capital plans and capital budgets. This role will lead multi-scale construction, infrastructure, expansion, and renovation initiatives and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with organizational goals.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Design and Construction, the Vice President of Capital Projects provides leadership across all phases of project delivery, including commissioning, planning, design, procurement, and construction, with a strong focus on regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and operational readiness. This role will also be responsible for the management and oversight of assigned BPCA project management staff and third-party design consultant and contractor teams. In limited instances, the VP of Capital Projects may be expected to oversee construction activities and related administrative processes.

This position requires consistent engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including internal leadership, the Board, government entities, community members, and commercial and residential building owners within and adjacent to Battery Park City. The Vice President will provide weekly project updates at department meetings and BPCA status meetings and represent BPCA in internal and public forums, ensuring transparency, coordination, and alignment with the organization’s public mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Capital Planning & Strategy

• • Develop and lead BPCA’s capital program development and budgeting process
  • Develop and oversee the multi-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
  • Align capital projects with corporate strategic objectives and long-term growth plans.
  • Partner with executive leadership to prioritize and approve capital investments.
  • Establish governance frameworks for capital planning and execution.
  • Develop capital project concepts and formulate cogent project scopes of work.
  • Oversee development of long-term operating, maintenance and coordination plans and strategies.
  • Work with outside agencies, authorities and entities to implement or coordinate assigned capital projects, as appropriate

Project Oversight & Execution

• • Oversee project lifecycle from feasibility studies through commissioning and closeout.
  • Approve project scopes, budgets, schedules, and delivery methods.
  • Ensure adherence to timelines, cost controls, and quality standards.
  • Implement best practices in project management methodologies.
  • Coordinate with operations teams to ensure seamless project turnover and integration.
  • Perform other duties in the scope of the job as requested by the Senior Vice President of Design and Construction.

Executive Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• • Serve as executive sponsor for all capital initiatives.
  • Provide updates to Board members and senior leadership.
  • Manage community, governmental, and external stakeholder relationships as required.
  • Advise and work cooperatively with other BPCA departments with respect to the capital program.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• • Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements.
  • Identify and mitigate project risks.
  • Maintain governance and reporting structures for executive and Board review.

Procurement & Contract Management

• • Manage procurement and selection processes for design and engineering consultants and contractors for assigned capital projects. Negotiate and manage contracts with consultants and contractors.
  • Ensure adherence to procurement and contracting policies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, business administration, or related field.
• Minimum of ten years of experience in the oversight of capital planning, five (5) of which are at a senior or management level; experience with coastal and/or urban resiliency projects is a plus.
• Proven leadership experience overseeing large-scale capital projects, infrastructure programs, or real estate development initiatives, preferably within public sector or quasi-governmental environments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term capital project strategies aligned with organizational goals, community priorities, and regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive project management expertise, with a track record of delivering complex, multi-million-dollar projects on time and within budget.
• Advanced financial acumen, including capital planning, budgeting, forecasting, and lifecycle cost management for large infrastructure portfolios.
• Deep experience in contract negotiation and vendor management, including procurement processes, contractor selection, and oversight of external partners.
• Strong knowledge of applicable regulatory, environmental, and compliance requirements, particularly within New York State and municipal frameworks.
• Expertise in risk assessment and mitigation strategies across all phases of capital project delivery, including construction, operations, and public impact.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with executive leadership, government agencies, community groups, and board members.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional collaboration among internal departments, consultants, contractors, and public stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in leading change management initiatives, including process improvements, modernization efforts, and organizational transformation.
• Strong decision-making capability in high-pressure environments, with the ability to balance competing priorities, public accountability, and operational constraints.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a leadership style that fosters trust, accountability, and high performance across teams. Development

Compensation: Salary in the range of $210,000 - $230,000, 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.

For more information about BPCA, please visit their website at https://bpca.ny.gov

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

rrijo@harrisrand.com

Email

cover letter and resume to: rrijo@harrisrand.com

Please include “BPCA, VP of Capital Projects” in the subject line of the email.

Comprehensive benefits package