Associate General Counsel, Real Estate

The New York Public Library•New York, NY

1d•$195,000 - $225,000•Hybrid

About The Position

With major capital construction projects underway as well as ongoing needs arising out of NYPL’s approximately 93 locations in The Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, including renovation and construction projects, development projects, leases, condominium issues, zoning and land use matters, real estate tax issues, compliance issues, government and private grants, insurance and related matters, NYPL is seeking an attorney with the ability to provide timely, reliable and effective legal services with a high level of independence on a wide range of real estate and construction law matters. The role requires sound judgment in high-risk, high-visibility matters. The Associate General Counsel will also provide general legal advice on a wide range of matters within a fast-paced, high-volume legal department. We are looking for someone we can count on to: Own: And independently manage complex real estate and construction matters And serve as primary legal advisor for assigned capital and facilities projects Internal client relationships and outside counsel Teach: Clear, practical guidance on legal risk and requirements And advise stakeholders on real estate, construction, and contracts Learn: NYPL’s real estate portfolio, capital program, and governance Internal processes, policies, and decision-making norms Improve: Templates, workflows, and use of outside counsel Cross-department coordination on real estate matters Some expectations for this role are that within: 1 month, this person will: Complete stakeholder introductions Become familiar with active matters, systems, and workflows 3 months, this person will: Independently handle assigned matters Lead selected negotiations and projects 6 months and beyond, this person will: Operate as a trusted legal advisor Anticipate risk and propose solutions Improve legal processes, practices, and coordination

Requirements

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school
Active New York State Bar Membership in good standing
10+ years of relevant real estate transactional experience in law firm or in-house as an attorney
Demonstrated experience exercising independent legal judgment in complex, high-stakes matters
Strong experience in real estate law and industry knowledge, including litigation, lease and purchase and sale transactions, construction, development, condominiums, access agreements, public/private partnerships, and property management issues
Experience supporting legal, operational and general advisory needs associated with large scale real estate portfolio
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to adapt quickly and easily to changing business needs and priorities
Demonstrated ability to voice opinions appropriately and take unpopular positions when necessary
Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to build strong working relationships with internal clients at all levels of management, and work on cross functional teams
Exhibit exceptional integrity, judgment, and discretion
Ability and desire to develop strong business acumen and robust understanding of business areas supported

Nice To Haves

NY State Notary Public License preferred
Experience in negotiating design and construction contracts; advising on construction-related disputes a plus

Responsibilities

Independently provide expert legal advice and negotiate complex transactions related to the Library’s owned and leased properties. Work closely with internal business partners to develop and implement strategic real estate initiatives
Negotiate and draft comprehensive contracts related to property operations and construction services, ensuring all agreements meet legal and operational standards
Handle disputes and litigation matters, including landlord issues, regulatory compliance, casualty events, and crisis situations
Manage relationships with outside counsel and outsourced legal services vendors, ensuring all services are provided within budgetary guidelines and meet the Library’s needs
Collaborate with senior management, Board members, and other stakeholders to align legal strategies with the Library’s goals and objectives in the Capital Planning, Real Estate, and Facilities areas
Represent the Library in negotiations with external parties, including government agencies, opposing counsel, and community organizations
Provide training, mentorship, and subject-matter expertise to legal staff and internal stakeholders on real estate law, contracts negotiation, and compliance matters
Assist with various tasks within the Legal Department, including but not limited to legal research, contract and document review, governance, record-keeping and general matters
Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures for which the Legal Department is responsible
Perform other assigned duties as required