Business Negotiations Manager

Description

About the Role

The World Trade Center (WTC) is a mixed-use campus with a rich and complex history, owned and operated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The 16-acre campus is a center for reflection, commuting, shopping, visiting, working, learning, and engaging; home to the Oculus/Transportation Hub along with dozens of retailers, Class-A commercial office towers, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Liberty Park, the Saint Nicholas National Shrine, and PAC NYC. The World Trade Center Department (WTCD) operates and maintains the public space and complex infrastructure at the campus, while working closely with our stakeholders, tenants, and business partners who run commercial and institutional portions of the campus. WTCD's mission is to operate and maintain this iconic multi-functional destination that provides a vital transportation and economic connection to keep the region moving. We serve the public good through passion and integrity while honoring history and tradition, and we drive forward-momentum through connection and collaboration to create an innovative destination for everyone to enjoy.

Reporting to the Program Budget Director, the Business Negotiations Manager is responsible for leadership and management roles related to a wide range of financial services and business relations for the World Trade Center Department (WTCD). As more fully described below, this position is responsible for serving as the lead financial manager for all matters related to the WTC Site-wide Property Manager (SWPM); overseeing business relations (including implementing legal agreements) with key WTC stakeholders including the 9/11 Memorial, WTC Retail, the MTA, and the Ronald O. Pearlman Performing Arts Center; management and oversight all aspects of the WTC utility budget; serving as financial liaison to key areas in the WTCD including Project Delivery and Campus Experience & Strategy; providing assistance in the financial planning, tracking, and reporting functions for the WTCD; assisting with the preparation of the Department's Multi-Year Budget and Long Range Forecast; and numerous other financial functions. To effectively work with our stakeholders to advance the Port Authority's financial objectives, knowledge of the current real estate market, industry trends and best practices is required.

• Serve as principal financial manager with respect to all aspects of the WTC Site-wide Property Management (SWPM) contract including budgeting, reporting, analysis and operations. Working with the WTCD operations team and with the SWPM, assist in the preparation of the annual site-wide property management budget. On a monthly basis, perform independent review of site-wide management expense variance and report results to WTCD senior management. Serve as point person both within WTCD and to other departments including Management and Budget Department, Comptroller's, and Office of Financial Planning on issues related to SWPM financial matters.
• Oversee all aspects of business relations with specific WTC stakeholders including the 9/11 Memorial, WTC Retail, the MTA, and the Ronald Pearlman Performing Arts Center (PAC) including oversight of invoicing for utilities, CAM, and PILOT; resolving all billing and related disputes; and attending to all matters pertaining to these business relationships. This role includes review, understanding, and implementing legal agreements with stakeholders including leases, license agreements, easement agreements, etc. Report regularly to senior management on any issues related to these stakeholders and plans for resolution.
• Manage all matters related to utilities at the WTC site. This includes assembling annually the three-year utility expense budget, assembling the utility revenue budget; overseeing monthly utility invoicing process in conjunction with third party utility consultant, Office of Sustainability (OS), and SWPM; oversee the related accrual of utility revenue; serve as principal liaison to OS on utility matters related to the WTC site including the New York Power Authority (NYPA) monthly invoicing; serve as financial manager with respect to the WTC site-wide meter integration program; and recommend and oversee new environmental programs related to energy usage at the WTC.
• Responsible for oversight of WTCD's MWBE program. Serve as principal liaison to ODEI on all MWBE matters related to the WTC site, including authorization process, input into the agency's B2G system as well as tracking and performance of D&I goals.
• Provide assistance with the preparation and monitoring of the annual Departmental operating Budget and expense budget and 20-Year Long-Range Forecast of revenues and expenses. Work with managers within the WTCD to incorporate the required projects, contracts and resources so that the optimal budget and forecast can be recommended to Senior Staff to maintain financial self-sufficiency, while meeting the Department's goals and objectives.
• Responsible for oversight of certain WTC tenant billings (9/11 Memorial, Retail, MTA, and PAC) ensuring funds due to the Port Authority are invoiced in accordance with agreements and working together with Treasury to ensure amounts are collected and properly applied. Maintain excellent customer relationships with all stakeholders in this area. Assist management in resolution of disputes with business partners pertaining to amounts due to the Port Authority including under the agreements with the Memorial, Retail, and PAC. This requires creative and innovative solutions.
• Provide supervision and guidance to develop a team of Financial Analysts including review of workload and priorities as well as review of responsibilities and assignments ensuring the highest level of staffing capabilities. Strive to create a work environment that motivates staff and encourages commitment.

• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in Real Estate, Property Management or in a finance related role.
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration or related field
• Understanding of real estate accounting principles required as well as proficiency with MS Excel and related business productivity software.

• 5+ years' experience in Real Estate, Property Management or Business Administration
• Advanced Degree desirable in Business Finance, Real Estate or related field
• Knowledge Base: Possess complete understanding of the Port Authority's budgeting and forecasting processes, Port Authority procurement guidelines and processes, and the role of the Comptroller's Department, to achieve the Department's financial/business objectives; understanding of business agreements and knowledge of the current real estate market industry trends and best practices to effectively work with our stakeholders to advance the Port Authority's financial objectives.
• Preferably, candidates will have knowledge of dedicated real estate software such as Yardi or MRI as well as enterprise software SAP.
• Leadership- ability to work with senior management and serve as leader of department managers in determining business needs and determining annual budget requirements to fulfill certain Department objectives.
• Problem Solving- utilize historical knowledge of business relations and roles of internal PA departments, to provide creative problem-solving skills in resolving business and financial issues on an on-going basis.
• Teamwork - serve as key internal liaison both within department and agency-wide on certain financial matters related to the WTC Department.
• Demonstrated analytical, decision-making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in effectively persuading, influencing, and negotiating with individuals at various levels within the Agency to achieve desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience organizing a demanding workload
• Thorough knowledge of Port Authority policy and procedures as they relate to the Capital and Budget Authorization process.