Assistant Director, Capacity Building

Reporting to the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) and Deputy CDEIO, this position is responsible for oversight and management of the agency’s Capacity Building Programs under the Business Diversity function in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office. The position is responsible for development and implementation of the Minority, Women, Small, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWSDBE) vendor certification and business development programs and ensuring a positive customer experience for the MWSDBEs firms pursuing to do business with the Port Authority.

Responsibilities:

Vendor Certification Program

• Oversee certification processes for Port Authority and Federal business diversity programs (DBE, ACDBE, MWBE, SBE). Ensure timely and accurate application reviews, compliance investigations, and on-site assessments based on program criteria.
• Manage the certification customer support team, addressing escalated applicant concerns and ensuring service excellence.
• Supervise and train Port Authority and contract staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, accuracy, and adherence to KPIs.
• Oversee audits and compliance reviews by U.S. DOT agencies, ensuring program adherence to federal standards.
• Manage site reviews, verifying applicant eligibility and preparing detailed compliance reports.
• Oversee annual compliance reviews for certified firms to confirm ongoing eligibility.
• Maintain organized certification records and databases, ensuring regulatory compliance and process efficiency.
• Partner with external certifying agencies to facilitate mutual certification cases and ensure timely processing.

Business Development

• Develop and implement training and development programs to increase pool of available MWSDBE firm to work on PA projects and support their efforts to grow their business.
• the tracking and assistance of certified firms to monitor their progress and assess their training needs to connect them to available internal and external resources for further engagement and contracting opportunities.
• Manage the PA’s apprenticeship programs in NY & NJ focusing on building a pipeline for job placement in PA and PA projects.
• Manage the existing Construction Management, OSHA training and A&E Principals Academy business development programs for the Port Authority PA Certified MWSDBE firms.
• Manage the business development programs and assist in identifying potential contract opportunities with the agency.
• Oversee ODEI’s efforts to assist Engineering’s Construction Management Unit with the recruitment process to identified certified MWSDBE firms to participate in the Mentor Protégé Program.
• Prepare and manage reports detailing capacity building programs performance.
• In partnership and coordination with agency stakeholders, support, facilitate and participate in community outreach events to promote ODEI’s capacity building programs and support promotion and participation in PA major redevelopment program.
• Coordinate with other staff and line departments to develop the framework for workshops and events to support the MWSDBE outreach program.
• Manage the agency’s MWBE Taskforce and Advisory Council, including member recruitment, planning and facilitating regular meetings, ensuring compliance with governing rules and guidelines, addressing action items, and overseeing communications with internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Qualifications

Candidates must present the following qualifications to be considered eligible for this position:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Management, Engineering or related field. MBA preferred.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in supervisory role, with demonstrated ability to make sound and independent decisions.
• Knowledge and understanding of Federal and State Laws governing D/M/WBE programs and requirements, 49 CFR Part 26 and Article 15-A of the Executive Law of New York State.

Desired Qualifications

Ideal candidates will present the following profile:

• Demonstrated experience with D/M/WBE programs
• Demonstrated experience analyzing small business financial and tax information.
• Excellent written, especially report writing experience, as well as oral communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and motivational skills, and experience with successfully working with diverse internal and external employee groups and organizations, including senior management and federal entities.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and team building skills
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work