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Javits Center · 1 hour ago

Chief Administrative Officer

New York, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$250K/yr - $300K/yr

15+ years exp

The Javits Center is the busiest convention center in the United States, hosting major conventions and events. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a strategic executive responsible for leading the Center’s administrative and human capital functions, fostering a people-first culture, and executing long-term strategies to support the organization's mission and growth objectives.

Event ManagementEventsTrade Shows

Responsibilities

Lead Human Resources and people strategy

Provide executive oversight of the Show Labor department, including direct leadership of the VP of Labor Relations & Show Operations, and ensure alignment across labor strategy, show operations, and organizational priorities

Develop and execute a comprehensive human capital strategy that aligns with the CEO's vision and the long-term business goals of the Javits Center

Champion and drive a people-first culture built on transparency, inclusion, high performance, and recognition

Implement innovative employee engagement and retention strategies to foster a sense of belonging and commitment across all levels

Oversee a proactive, future-focused talent management lifecycle, encompassing best-in-class recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning for critical roles

Design and implement robust learning & development programs that strategically invest in employee competencies, leadership pipelines, and upskilling, ensuring the workforce is agile and future-ready

Strategically lead social impact and culturally engaging initiatives across the organization, ensuring programs related to talent acquisition, employee development, and community engagement are deeply rooted in equitable practices and foster a truly inclusive environment

Evaluate compensation structure, leveraging competitive total rewards (including base, variable pay, and benefits) as a strategic lever to attract and retain top-tier talent while ensuring pay equity and organizational fiscal health

Directly link employee engagement, training, and talent development metrics to the Javits Center's operational quality and guest service standards, ensuring the people strategy is a clear driver of exceptional customer experience and client retention

Ensure organizational adherence to all labor laws, ethical practices, and HR best practices, serving as the ultimate custodian of employee equity and safety

Continuously evaluate and optimize the Javits Center's organizational structure to maximize efficiency, collaboration, and scalability in anticipation of future growth and changing business needs

Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for administrative projects, ensuring high-quality execution and effective resource allocation

Design and drive a performance management strategy that moves beyond annual reviews and is centered on continuous feedback, goal alignment (cascading from the CEO’s objectives), accountability, and high-impact individual and team performance to inform career progression and compensation decisions

Oversee and elevate hiring practices for the Labor groups at Javits, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with unions and implementing best practices across teams

Lead and manage the DEI and employee/supplier diversity program, including strategy, measurement, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement

Establish and expand internship pipelines and industry partnerships with universities and HBCUs to strengthen recruiting, workforce development, and brand presence

Oversee employee benefits and services for all Javits team members, including administrative staff, part-time employees, and union trades, ensuring an inclusive, consistent, and high-quality employee experience

Qualification

Human Resources LeadershipOrganizational DevelopmentTalent AcquisitionEmployee EngagementCompensation & BenefitsLearning & DevelopmentDiversityEquityInclusionStrategic LeadershipExecutive CommunicationAnalytical MindsetNegotiation SkillsInterpersonal Skills

Required

Extensive progressive leadership experience in HR/organizational development within large, complex organizations (typically 15+ years), including at least 5 years in a senior executive (VP or C-suite) role

Demonstrated experience developing human capital and organizational culture

A proven track record of strategic leadership over core HR functions: Talent Acquisition, L&D, Compensation & Benefits, and Employee Relations

Exceptional executive-level communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including the Board of Directors

A strategic and analytical mindset, capable of leveraging data to drive decision-making and measure the ROI of human capital investments

A bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, Human Resources, organizational leadership, or a related field is required