Organization

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the nation’s oldest and largest public housing authority with more than 177,000 apartments, and responsibility for administering a citywide Section 8 leased housing program that serves over 200,000 additional tenants. NYCHA’s mission is to provide quality housing for New Yorkers that is sustainable, inclusive, and safe, while fostering opportunities for economic mobility.

NYCHA’s Asset & Capital Management (A&CM) Division leads the Authority’s development, modernization, and strategic asset management activities. This includes a $4.5 billion capital program – one of the largest in NY State – as well as a historic real estate transaction portfolio. A&CM aims to bring comprehensive repairs to NYCHA buildings and apartments through innovative financing models, strong partnership with residents and other stakeholders, strategic, data-driven portfolio planning, and cost-effective project delivery and management. The Division will also position NYCHA’s housing portfolio for the future by incorporating innovative sustainability practices and technologies, improving residents’ quality of life while enhancing building performance and management systems.

Position Description

The Asset & Capital Management Division is seeking to hire a visionary and experienced Senior Director for Sustainability to lead the organization's efforts in developing and promoting sustainable practices and technologies, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of securing funding, developing, and implementing sustainable plans and initiatives, driving energy efficiency and decarbonization, and fostering innovative solutions for a greener future. Reporting directly to the Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer, the Senior Director for Sustainability will play a pivotal role in shaping NYCHA's sustainable future.

The Senior Director for Sustainability oversees three teams with responsibilities across grant acquisition, policy development, environmental planning and review, and innovative programs in areas such as climate change and flood resiliency, green infrastructure, disaster recovery, solar leasing, energy efficiency, electrification and decarbonization, building management systems, waste infrastructure and recycling, and micro-mobility. The Sustainability Team is also tasked with overseeing NYCHA’s Sustainability Agenda and commitment to meeting its greenhouse gas reduction targets set forth in Local Law 97.

Day-to-day responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive sustainability strategy aligned with NYCHA's Sustainability Agenda, mission, goals, and broader environmental targets.
- Green Initiatives: Identify, propose, and implement sustainable practices and projects that enhance energy efficiency, reduce waste, promote renewable energy adoption, and improve overall environmental stewardship.
- Collaboration: Establish and maintain partnerships with government agencies, community organizations, non-profits, and private sector entities to leverage resources, share best practices, and maximize the impact of sustainability efforts.
- Policy Advocacy: Monitor and influence relevant policies, regulations, and legislation related to sustainability, advocating for initiatives that align with NYCHA's objectives.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize data and analytics to assess ongoing initiatives as well as the environmental impact of NYCHA operations, track progress, and make informed decisions to optimize sustainability efforts.

Key Competencies

- Strategic Vision, Leadership & Innovation: Ability to think strategically and develop long-term sustainability plans that align with organizational goals and broader societal objectives, and a passion for driving innovation and exploring novel solutions to complex sustainability challenges. Proven experience in implementing major change initiatives focused on sustainability, as well as leading and motivating teams, fostering a positive, high-performance work environment, and developing and retaining talent.

- Subject Matter & Program Management Expertise: Deep understanding of sustainable practices, energy efficiency, building science, decarbonization, renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, and environmental policies. Strong program and project management skills, including the ability to guide and oversee multiple complex programs simultaneously, and support teams to effectively mitigate risks, apply best practice project controls, and manage to results.

- Exemplary Communication Skills & Collaborative Approach: Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders across diverse backgrounds. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Additional Information

1. Submit resume, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and accomplishments, and contact information for three professional references.
2. Employees serving in the titles of or who meet the qualification requirements for Administrative City Planner, Administrative Engineer or Administrative Project Manager will also be considered.
3. NYCHA employees applying for promotional, title or level change opportunities must have served a period of one year at current location and in current title and level (if applicable).
4. NYCHA residents are encouraged to apply.

Please read this posting carefully to make certain you meet the minimum qualification requirements before applying to this position.

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in architecture or architectural technology, biology, building science, chemistry, climate and society, climate science, city or urban planning, construction management, earth science, economics, energy management, engineering or engineering technology, environmental law, science, or studies, facilities management, mathematics, physics, public administration, public policy, statistics, sustainability, urban studies, or a related field, or a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school with a concentration in environmental law, and two (2) years of satisfactory, full-time experience in energy, environmental, or sustainability-related data analysis, program management, strategic planning, or a related field, at least eighteen (18) months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive, consultative, or supervisory capacity; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in “1” above, at least eighteen (18) months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive, consultative, or supervisory capacity; or

3. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least eighteen (18) months of experience in an administrative, managerial, executive, consultative, or supervisory capacity as described in “1” above.

Preferred Skills & Experience - A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, sustainability, urban planning, engineering, business) is required. A master's degree is preferred. - Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in sustainability roles, with a successful track record of implementing sustainable initiatives with quantifiable results. - Knowledge of relevant Federal, New York State and City regulations related to sustainability required. Knowledge of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York State and City regulations related to pubic and affordable housing, as well as prior experience with public or affordable housing, strongly preferred.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

NYCHA has no residency requirements.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.