Vice President Associate General Counsel

Vice President, Associate General Counsel

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Agency: Construction & Development

Department/Division: Contracts/Contracts Office

Reports To: SVP, Contracts & Deputy General Counsel

Work Location: 2 Broadway

Hours of Work: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM or as required

Job Family: LGL - Grade: 008

Salary Range: $167,016 to $208,770

Deadline: Open Until Filled

Summary

The Vice President, Associate General Counsel, is an officer of MTA C&D, reporting to the Senior Vice President, Contracts, and Deputy General Counsel. This position provides legal advice and leads rapid response contracting services to C&D departments, recommending the best contracting strategy for a given project, managing the procurement process, and helping to realize the full benefits of those contracts post-award. As a Business Unit Lead, the incumbent will lead these activities for all contracts pertaining to a specific category of capital projects: Stations, Signals & Train Control, Infrastructure, Bridges & Tunnels, or Railroads. This position may also lead to involvement in one or more large, integrated projects that encompass multiple categories.

Responsibilities

Responsible for all contracts under its business unit, from strategy to drafting, soliciting and procuring, negotiating and awarding, and claims and change management.

Develop strategic and consistent contracts and specifications to reduce risk to budget and schedule. This includes improving the risk allocation between MTA and contractors to ensure that the party most able to 'own' a risk is accountable for its mitigation. Optimizing risk allocation results in lower contract prices.

Provides contracting strategy advice well in advance of the formal procurement process.

Collaborate with Development to develop contracts that address market capacity, procurement, and contracting timelines and strategies, issues regarding federal vs. state funding, etc.

Collaborate with C&D's engineers and PCEOs to understand vision and draft contracts that are cogent, enforceable, and will deliver desired project benefits.

Help drive the heightened utilization of MWBE vendors in all contracts.

Advises Delivery department leaders on contract enforcement, claims management, and merit determinations. Manages the claims process, including strategy and prosecution/defense as necessary.

The Vice President, Associate General Counsel, must understand, draft, and manage innovative construction contracts involving A+B bidding, design-build, progressive design-build, and other state-of-the-art construction contracting methods to support the MTA's Capital Programs. The incumbent must also understand the complexities of large infrastructure projects involving transit and rail systems, bridges, and tunnels.

The selected candidate must understand and enforce all the laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to public works contracting as well as the requirements of the MTA's funding partners, such as the Federal Transit Administration. This position will be responsible for drafting, soliciting, awarding, and managing consultant contracts to support the capital program.

The incumbent must possess a broad range of substantive knowledge of the law, procurement, construction management (including construction scheduling), and the highly technical subjects related to the MTA's projects. Current and upcoming projects require specialized knowledge and understanding of large infrastructure projects, some involving state-of-the-art and developing technology, as well as complex data, signaling, and communications systems.

The Vice President, Associate General Counsel, will manage 5-7 staff positions and must be able to analyze problems and develop practical solutions to perform in this role. In a single day, the selected candidate will have to review, assess and make decisions related to complex construction issues on significant construction projects, represent the agency in complex construction disputes, negotiate significant contracts and/or claims with contractors and designers, negotiate construction, work and condemnation agreements with private property owners, or work with FTA and FRA counsel to address compliance concerns.

Education and Experience

Juris Doctor - Law degree, Admission to the New York State Bar.

A license to practice law in the State of New York is required.

Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in legal positions in a law firm, a governmental legal office, or a company's in-house legal department.

Experience working on matters involving complex public works projects, construction projects, and/or real estate matters, and familiarity with relevant local, state, and federal laws.

Minimum of six (6) years of managerial/supervisory experience.

Experience with federal and state procurement laws, rules, and regulations.

Demonstrated initiative, excellent judgment, and ability to work independently on matters of significant size and complexity.

Ability to manage multiple projects and clients in a fast-paced environment.

Confidence in dealing with senior management and sophisticated counterparties.

Ability to identify creative, business-oriented solutions to legal and business risks

Strong interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.

Proven capability to build and maintain strong client relationships.

Engineering or Construction Management experience preferred.

Excellent academic credentials.

Other Information

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").

Selection Criteria

Based on the evaluation of education, skills, experience, and interview.

How to Apply

MTA employees must apply via My MTA Portal. You can submit an online application by logging into My MTA Portal, clicking the My Job Search ribbon, and selecting the "Careers" link. Logging in through the My MTA Portal will link your BSC ID number to your job application, identifying you as an internal applicant.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.