Commercial Counsel

Title: Commercial Counsel

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Chief Counsel, Corporate

Location: New York, New York

FLSA: Full-Time, Exempt

COMPANY SUMMARY

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. The Company is the recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building – the “World’s Most Famous Building” – includes its Observatory, the #1 attraction in the U.S. in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best for two consecutive years. As of December 31, 2023, ESRT's portfolio is comprised of approximately 8.6 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.7 million rentable square feet of retail space and 727 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Commercial Counsel will support ESRT’s business teams, including Observatory, property management and leasing, and corporate teams, including accounting, IT, HR and marketing, on a variety of legal matters, primarily to review and negotiate commercial contracts. The attorney will be the primary contact for the business teams on commercial matters, with responsibly to issue spot, draft agreements and consult outside counsel as needed. Typical commercial contracts include design and construction agreements, location agreements for events at the Empire State Building Observatory, licensing agreements for the Empire State Building trademarks, confidentiality agreements and vendor engagement agreements. The attorney will also be expected to assist the legal team in development of forms and a contract management system. The attorney will additionally manage corporate policies, monitor compliance and handle compliance-related requests, advise on best practice and suggest periodic updates to such policies. The attorney will also assist with general corporate matters as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise business teams on a variety of legal issues, using the assistance of expert outside counsel, where needed.
• Review and negotiate commercial contracts, including but not limited to, design and construction agreements, location agreements for events at the Empire State Building Observatory, licensing agreements for the Empire State Building trademarks, confidentiality agreements and vendor engagement agreements.
• Manage corporate policies, monitor compliance and handle compliance-related requests.
• Advise on best practice with respect to corporate policies and procedures and suggest periodic updates.
• Assist with general corporate matters as needed.
• Additional responsibilities as directed.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

To be successful, a candidate should have at least 8 years’ of combined experience working at a law firm and in-house, with exposure to the real estate industry. A successful candidate has experience as the lead attorney negotiating agreements, can work independently with limited supervision, and has excellent written and oral communication skills. A successful candidate is open to learning new practice areas and tackling new challenges and volunteers to take on new projects.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Experience in a law firm plus in-house experience.
• Experience as the lead attorney negotiating agreements.
• Energy and eagerness to learn new practice areas.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Business minded.
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and own assignments.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related software

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• J.D. required; admitted to practice in New York.
• At least 8 years’ combined practice in law firm corporate or real estate group and in-house.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a richly diverse work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. By focusing on inclusion and celebrating our differences, we create even greater value — in business practices, relationships, and employee engagement. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees can thrive. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -

• Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
• Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
• Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
• Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
• Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
• Ethical – you treat others with respect, and embrace and contribute to a culture of diversity and inclusion
• Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through

The salary range for this position is $190,000 to $250,000. Salary is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience and/or certifications. In addition to your base salary, ESRT provides discretionary annual bonuses and equity compensation. ESRT offer comprehensive, competitive benefits & well-being programs including:

BENEFITS

• Competitive base salary and bonus
• Remote work flexibility (6 days per month work from home)
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance
• Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
• Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
• Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
• 401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
• Paid parental leave
• Pre-tax transit accounts
• Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support

WELL-BEING

• Generous paid time off
• Flex remote work time
• Flex Summer Fridays
• Employee engagement programs
• Volunteer time off
• Continuing education
• Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access
• Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
• Employee Discount Programs

ESRT is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.