Senior Director - Debt Financing

Metropolitan Transportation Authority • New York, NY

198d • $176,000 - $196,000

About The Position

The Senior Director, Debt Financing reports to the Deputy Chief, Financial Services and is responsible for structuring and negotiating the issuance of MTA and TBTA debt obligations in the global capital markets to raise funds for approved capital programs and liquidity facilities for MTA operating budget needs. The Senior Director, Debt Financing is responsible for all investor and rating agency communications, disclosure requirements, financial reporting and Board communications on financial activities. This position works closely with the Deputy Chief, Financial Services and members of the C suite in representing MTA to the global investment community and is expected to provide financial expertise to navigate the changing capital markets to ensure the MTA has uninterrupted access to the capital markets. This position is responsible for providing financial insight and strategies to advance various financial transactions helping to maintain the financial operations of the organization, including capital, cash, hedging, and alternative funding strategies as well as special projects as determined by the Chief Financial Officer from time to time.

Requirements

• Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills for presentations to external audiences including investors, rating agencies, and in representing the MTA at industry events.
• Must have strong organizational skills and proven ability to lead a team.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, organizational, presentation, planning, and decision-making skills.
• Must have exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with elected officials, and senior leadership from external organizations.
• Position requires strong computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Office Suite. Excel skills must include working familiarity with the development of and manipulation of macros and complex formulas.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Attention to detail.
• Familiarity with the MTA's policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Help guide and develop MTA's financial strategy to fund the local portion of the MTA's approved and contemplated capital plans.
• Lead a team comprised of internal and external resources to create debt strategies and annual debt service budgets, creating monthly variance reports for submission to the Board.
• Ensure sufficient cash liquidity to maintain financial operations, working with the Directors of Management and Budget and Cash and Investment Management.
• Ensure proper allocation of bond proceeds and PAYGO cash funding of the capital programs to ensure compliance with US Tax Code.
• Coordinate with external bond counsel firms including tax specialists, and internal departments including Director, Management and Budget, Director, Cash and Investment Management, Director, Capital Funding Management, Controller's Office, and respective departmental supporting teams.
• Responsible for the structuring and negotiation of all capital markets and other debt related financial transactions including review of all legal documents and negotiating the pricing and all other terms of each transaction.
• Work closely with the Deputy Chief, Financial Services and external working groups, including a large underwriting syndicate, multiple bond counsel firms, financial and swap advisory firms and other market participants.
• Design and progress financial strategies to achieve a cost-efficient debt portfolio using MTA's multiple credits.
• Recommend other financial strategies that support the capital program funding effort. Develop new bond credits as necessary.
• Maintain MTA's relationships with the global investment banking community to ensure a free-flowing exchange of information to ensure MTA is being provided with sound financial opportunities to maintain a cost-effective debt portfolio.
• Host approximately 100 meetings annually with existing and prospective underwriters.
• Vet and analyze ideas proposed by underwriters for potential implementation and determination of specific underwriter assignments.
• Work closely with MTA's Municipal Advisor(s) in analyzing proposals.
• Manage MTA's interest rate and fuel hedge derivative portfolios of over $2 billion.
• Maintain current status of portfolio, perform analyses as needed to enable MTA to take advantage of market opportunities and ensure compliance with document requirements.
• Develop plan of finance to address amendments, novations, and terminations as needed from time to time.
• Manage the MTA's tax-advantaged leasing portfolio including timely compliance with certification and document requirements.
• Supervise outside tax-advantaged leasing consultant and provide analysis related to negotiated termination as may be required from time to time.
• Maintain the MTA's Debt Database containing detailed information on the entire portfolio of outstanding indebtedness, currently over $48 billion.
• Supervise the preparation of MTA Consolidated Financial Plans to accurately forecast debt service costs.
• Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department.
• Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling.
• Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review performance of staff.
• Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Provide timely and accurate information about MTA's financial condition, debt obligations and financial forecasts to the global investment community.
• Ensure clear and open communications within the confines of existing financial disclosure.
• Meet U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 15c2-12 filing requirements through the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) processes.
• Oversee and evaluate consultants' performance, including Municipal Advisors, Swap Advisors and Independent Engineer for MTA Bridges & Tunnels.
• Address performance issues with contractors when possible; escalate issues to other parties as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week.
• New hires are eligible to telework 30 days after their effective hire date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree