Closing Date: 3rd October, 2025

Description:

Job Description:
DCAS's mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers. From managing New York City's most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings, to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies what we do ensures that all agencies can deliver on their mission. Our reach touches every facet of city government and is instrumental to the successful day-to-day operations of the City of New York.

Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the critical resources and support needed to succeed, including:

Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
Managing 55 public buildings.
Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
Leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

When you work at DCAS, you're not just working for one agency, but in service of them all. It's an opportunity to provide impactful support, quality customer service, and help protect the future of New York City for generations to come. Visit our website at nyc.gov/dcas to learn more about the work we do.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) serves as the chief legal advisor to DCAS, providing legal and strategic counsel across all twelve lines of service. OGC is organized into four primary legal units: Procurement and Operations, Real Estate Services, Human Capital and Workforce Oversight, and Policy and Compliance. Together, these units provide expert guidance on a broad range of matters critical to agency operations and citywide functions. OGC's legal portfolio includes advising on civil service, labor and employment, and disciplinary matters; negotiating and reviewing real estate transactions; overseeing procurement compliance; and guiding policy, risk, and audit processes. The office also manages litigation related to landlord-tenant disputes, legislative review, Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, and legal matters tied to fleet administration, energy, and facilities construction. In collaboration with Corporation Counsel, OGC supports special legal matters that require litigation or further Charter-mandated review, ensuring the City's interests are protected and upheld.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as the Managing Counsel for Citywide Agency Leasing and Legal Review. Working under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel (DGC) for Real Estate, with wide latitude for independent judgment, this position will manage the legal unit responsible for the drafting and legal review of lease-in agreements and licenses for City agencies with space needs. The candidate will be responsible for developing a strong working relationship with RES leadership to ensure RES, and DCAS as a whole, are receiving timely guidance, strategic advice, partnership, and support on all matters including being a thought partner in collaboration with the DGC when it comes to the review and development of policies and processes that further enhance DCAS's ability to meet the City's vast commercial real estate needs as they evolve. The Managing Counsel will oversee complex real estate legal matters; assign and supervise work within the real estate legal team; and provide training and guidance as needed. In consultation with the Deputy General Counsel, the Managing Counsel will also coordinate legal strategy and liaise with the Law Department on high-level matters.

Along with managing, this role will support and train a team of real estate attorneys with varying levels of seniority and experience, as well as non-legal staff. The Managing Counsel will work closely with OGC's executive team to build out a problem-solving culture and training framework to promote growth within the attorneys, where they can develop and continue to hone their subject matter and client services skills.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Lead and manage a team of approximately 4 attorneys who advise on commercial real estate lease-in transactions;
Develop an in-depth understanding of the agency's non-City owned real estate portfolio to effectively support the full range of complex real estate transactions, including but not limited to leases, licenses, sales, and requests for proposals (RFP);
Advise the DGC for Real Estate on the structuring, due diligence, documenting, negotiating and closing of sensitive commercial real estate transactions;
Prepare, review and supervise the preparation and review of, complex legal documents related to real estate transactions and governmental approvals, including developing legal boilerplates and templates, as applicable;
Provide proactive strategic and legal advice and support to RES by way of planning, appraisals, lease administration, and efforts to activate property;
Offer advice and guidance to the General Counsel and DGC of Real Estate on sensitive matters pertaining to the Citywide Leasing and Legal Administrative portfolio matters;
Provide solutions oriented, transparent and accessible recommendations to the General Counsel, the DGC, and RES executive leadership;
Work collaboratively with the New York City Law Department to address and resolve legal issues pertinent to the Lease-In matters, as well as with other agencies that rely on DCAS to meet their real estate needs;
Work collaboratively and thoughtfully across the office, and especially with the other Deputy General Counsels and the Special Counsel/Chief of Staff and Director of Operations;
Promote a learning/team culture with an emphasis on efficiency, innovation and problem solving;
Maintain regular and open communication with agency executive/senior leadership about project progress, risk and outcomes, and operational challenges and impact;
Collaborate with the DGC of Policy and Compliance to implement policies and procedures to safeguard DCAS' interests and ensure legal compliance with respect to real estate Lease-in transactions;
Handle any other duties or matters as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:
Admission to The New York State Bar; and Four Years of Recent Full-Time Responsible, Relevant, Satisfactory Legal Experience Subsequent to Admission to Any Bar, Eighteen Months of Which Must Have Been in The Supervision of Other Attorneys, in An Administrative, Managerial or Executive Capacity, or Performing Highly Complex and Significant Legal Work.

Incumbents Must Remain Members of The New York State Bar in Good Standing for The Duration of This Employment.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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/.

Residency Requirement:
New York City Residency Is Not Required for This Position.

Additional Information:
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.