General Counsel

Governors Island Corporation d/b/a The Trust for Governors Island; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision/ life insurance

Retirement plan with company matched

Generous paid time off

Job summary

The Trust for Governors Island seeks a General Counsel to lead legal and compliance matters, advise the President & CEO, and manage in‑house staff and outside counsel. You will steer real estate transactions, contracts, governance, and risk management for the organization located on Governors Island.

All positions are in‑person four days a week with one remote day. The role offers a generous benefits package and a salary range of $210k–$225k, with opportunities to shape public space and cultural

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school required; NYS Bar admission required.
• At least ten years with progressively increasing responsibilities at a law firm and/or in‑house at a corporate, not‑for‑profit, or government organization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as TGI’s lead attorney, develop positions and strategies relating to all TGI legal matters.
• Participate as a key member of senior staff regarding major business transactions, organizational policies, and long‑term business & programmatic strategies.
• Draft and negotiate all documents required for real estate transactions and other public‑private partnerships, including ground and space leases for the Island.
• Negotiate and review construction contracts, service agreements, event and other permits, licenses and concession agreements.
• Provide full‑spectrum counsel on major capital, operational & programmatic matters, such as the Trust’s multi‑year capital‑development portfolio (design & construction).
• Function as Secretary of TGI’s Board, and work with staff to prepare Board of Director’s meeting agendas, minutes, resolutions, reports and other relevant materials.

Skills

Communication skills

Writing skills

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Government procedures

Risk management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

NYS Bar admission

Job description

OVERVIEW

A popular year-round destination, Governors Island is a 172-acre island in the heart of New York Harbor located between Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. For almost two centuries, the Island was closed to the public, operating as a military base for the U.S. Army and, later, the Coast Guard. Today, an award-winning new park is complemented by dozens of unique historic buildings, educational and cultural facilities, a rich arts and culture program and a 22-acre National Monument managed by the National Park Service. Looking ahead, the long-term vision for Governors Island focuses on continuing to expand year-round public access by enlivening it with transformative public art and culture, extraordinary recreational and open space, and research and education dedicated to addressing the global climate crisis.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the President & CEO, the General Counsel will advise on legal and compliance matters and provide guidance and representation on a broad range of issues related to the work of the Trust for Governors Island (TGI or the Trust). The General Counsel will work collaboratively with TGI staff, TGI’s Board of Directors, and relevant government agencies, and will be responsible for managing in-house legal staff and outside counsel. As a key member of TGI’s senior team, the General Counsel will provide advice on organizational strategies and their implementation, and be responsible for addressing complex contractual, transactional, regulatory, external‑relations, and agency management issues, while ensuring legal compliance and limiting risk exposure. The position requires superior drafting, negotiating, organization and communication skills. The General Counsel is an Officer of the Trust and also works closely with the NYC Law Department, which provides outside counsel services pursuant to the agreement between the Trust and the City. The Trust has retainer agreements with outside law firms for the provision of – on an as‑needed basis – real estate and land use, historic tax credit structuring, employment and maritime legal services.

Other responsibilities include:

• Serve as TGI’s lead attorney, develop positions and strategies relating to all TGI legal matters;
• Participate as a key member of senior staff regarding major business transactions, organizational policies, and long‑term business & programmatic strategies;
• Draft and negotiate all documents required for real estate transactions and other public‑private partnerships, including ground and space leases for the Island;
• Negotiate and review construction contracts, service agreements, event and other permits, licenses and concession agreements;
• Provide full‑spectrum counsel on major capital, operational & programmatic matters, such as the Trust’s multi‑year capital‑development portfolio (design & construction); ferry and maritime operations; the public‑art programs of Governors Island Arts; customer services; tenant relations; audit; and financial management;
• Function as Secretary of TGI’s Board, and work with staff to prepare Board of Director’s meeting agendas, minutes, resolutions, reports and other relevant materials;
• Develop, maintain and enforce the Trust’s internal governance policies and manage semi‑annual and annual filings with various city and state agencies;
• Work with staff on the preparation and management of RFPs, bids and procurement packages to ensure solicitations comply with TGI’s procurement rules and City requirements, as applicable;
• Interface and manage communications with the City’s Law Department and with TGI’s outside law firms;
• Provide management and oversight of TGI’s legal staff to support the legal needs of all departments within the organization;
• Manage and oversee all litigation;
• Manage and oversee the Trust’s risk management including managing the Trust’s insurance policies as well as the insurance, indemnification and bonding requirements and compliance for all contracts;
• Manage and oversee significant budget areas including legal services and insurance;
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and legal requirements, including reporting requirements of New York’s Public Authorities Reform Act;
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President and members of senior staff;
• Monitor developments in case law, legislation and regulatory matters for effects on the activities of the Trust;
• Oversight on matters relating to employment law and labor relations, including the Trust’s organized workforce;
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the President.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

JD from an accredited law school required. Admission to the NYS Bar required.

Experience:

At least ten years with progressively increasing responsibilities at a law firm and/or in‑house at a corporate, not‑for‑profit, or governmentorganization is required. Experience with commercial real estate is strongly preferred. Experience in the representation of not‑for‑profit entities and/or governmental/quasi‑governmental entities preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including TGI Directors, government officials and staff.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with government procedures and requirements.
• Effective communication and analytic skills with the ability to act decisively and meet deadlines in a rapidly evolving and regulated environment.
• Judgment and experience to identify, manage, and mitigate risk.

Salary Range: $210 to $225k

Generous paid time off and excellent benefits package including medical/dental/vision/life insurance, and retirement plan with company contributions.

Location & Schedule:

All positions are located on Governors Island. The position is in‑person four days per week and remote one day per week.

The Trust for Governors Island values the importance of inclusion, accessibility and a diverse pool of applicants. The Trust for Governors Island does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, genetic information, marital status, membership in an employee organization, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, or other non‑merit factor.

ABOUT THE TRUST FOR GOVERNORS ISLAND

The Trust for Governors Island (The Trust) is a nonprofit corporation created by the City of New York. It is responsible for the redevelopment and operation of 150 acres of Governors Island. The Trust's mission is to realize the full potential of Governors Island for the inspiration and enjoyment of all New Yorkers, demonstrating a bold vision for public space. For more information, visit www.govisland.org.