Vice President, Community Partnerships

The Government and Community Partnerships team bridges the gap between NYCEDC’s work and the communities impacted by its projects. By cultivating external relationships, developing public engagement strategies, and building community support, the team will foster trusted partnerships that connect government and communities to deliver equitable community growth, lasting public benefit and ensuring New Yorkers are meaningful partners in shaping the City’s future.  

Position Overview: The Vice President, Community Partnerships (VP) will lead strategies that build trust, strengthen accountability, and connect community priorities to NYCEDC projects and policies. The VP will oversee community engagement, participatory planning, project transparency, and community benefits initiatives across a portfolio of high-priority projects. 

Working closely with the Government & Community Partnerships team, project teams, Public Affairs, Marketing, Planning, City agencies, elected officials, community organizations, businesses, institutions, labor partners, and residents, the VP will ensure communities are engaged early and meaningfully. This role will identify community concerns and opportunities, translate stakeholder feedback into actionable recommendations, and support solutions that advance equitable community growth and measurable public benefit. The VP will also manage staff, establish consistent engagement practices, and strengthen NYCEDC's reputation as a transparent and trusted public institution. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of NYCEDC’s community partnership and impact and belonging strategies, including priorities, performance measures, and operating standards that embed equity, economic justice, community voice, and measurable public benefit into organizational priorities, partnerships, programs, and investments.
• Oversee the development and execution of engagement, transparency, community benefits, and participatory planning initiatives across assigned projects and programs. 
• Design and strengthen inclusive systems and processes that expand stakeholder participation, reduce barriers to access, promote equitable engagement, and institutionalize community input in planning and decision-making. 
• Identify community concerns, risks, and opportunities, and translate stakeholder feedback into recommendations, workplans, and decision-making inputs.  
• Oversee community benefits planning and tracking to ensure NYCEDC investments support measurable public benefit, economic opportunity, and neighborhood priorities.  
• Provide community-centered leadership by building and maintaining trusted relationships with community-based organizations, civic leaders, advocacy groups, labor partners, institutions, businesses, elected officials, government agencies, and local stakeholders to advance shared priorities, strengthen public trust, and support equitable community growth. 
• Build and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, civic leaders, advocacy groups, labor partners, institutions, businesses, elected officials, and government agencies to advance shared priorities, strengthen public trust, and support equitable community growth.  
• Establish performance measures and accountability standards that guide the evaluation of community partnership outcomes, stakeholder engagement effectiveness, and public trust initiatives. 
• Advise senior leadership and project teams on stakeholder priorities, community dynamics, and political considerations to ensure community perspectives inform planning, decision-making, implementation efforts, and consensus-building around complex initiatives. 
• Provide oversight and guidance for executive briefings, presentations, stakeholder communications, and other materials supporting internal and external decision-making. 
• Maintain a visible presence in communities across assigned projects, including regularly attending community meetings, public events, project-site engagements, and other offsite activities, including evening and weekend engagements as needed. Oversee and support staff whose responsibilities require frequent field-based and community-facing work.  
• Manage, coach, and develop staff, including setting expectations, supporting professional growth, and promoting consistent practices across the community partnership function.  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in public policy, urban planning, political science, community development, public administration, or a related field.  
• At least 7 years of experience working with elected officials, government affairs, public agencies, community engagement, public policy, and/or campaigns.  
• Experience building productive relationships with community stakeholders, elected officials, public agencies, labor, advocacy organizations, and cross-functional teams.  
• Proven experience developing engagement strategies, facilitating stakeholder input, and translating qualitative and quantitative feedback into practical recommendations.  
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information clearly to senior leaders, public officials, community stakeholders, and the public.  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining organization, accuracy, sound judgment, and appropriate escalation of risks.  
• Experience coaching, managing, or mentoring staff and supporting consistent practices across a team or portfolio.  
• Familiarity with New York City government, land use, public approval processes, legislative processes, or community planning strongly preferred.  
• Ability to travel within the five boroughs of New York City and attend evening and occasional weekend meetings as needed.  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.  
• New York City residency is required within 180 days of hire.