General Manager: Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corp.

Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corporation

General Manager

The General Manager (GM) is the chief administrative and operating executive of the Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corporation (SIHPOC) and is responsible for the day-to-day management of SIHPOC’s operations, employees, properties, infrastructure, finances, regulatory obligations, and member services.

SIHPOC is a unique organization that functions in many respects like a small municipality while operating under the governance of a Board of Directors. The GM serves as the principal link between the SIHPOC’s day-to-day operations and provides the Board with institutional knowledge, professional guidance, and administrative leadership.

The GM reports to the Board of Directors and works closely with the Board President, Treasurer, committees, employees, members, professional advisors, governmental agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders. The GM implements SIHPOC policies and exercises operational authority. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment, organization, diplomacy, multi-tasking, and accountability. The GM is expected to identify issues requiring Board consideration, develop appropriate recommendations, and ensure that Board decisions are effectively implemented.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Financial Management and Administration

The GM is responsible for the financial administration of SIHPOC and for providing the Board, financial institutions, and regulators with accurate and timely financial information to support its fiduciary responsibilities. Responsibilities include; 1) developing and monitoring the annual operating budget and five-year capital plan, 2) overseeing the assessment process, including calculation, communication, collection, and delinquency matters, 3) coordinating the annual audit and assisting in finalizing audited financial reports, 4) preparing regular financial reports for the Board, 5) authorizing expenditures, and 6) monitoring investment portfolio performance.

2. Property, Infrastructure and Facilities Management

The GM is responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day operation of SIHPOC and its properties, facilities, infrastructure, and services. He/she oversees the maintenance, operation, repair, and improvement of SIHPOC’s extensive assets. Work may be performed by SIHPOC employees or qualified outside contractors. Responsibilities include; 1) overseeing daily operations and maintenance activities, 2) documenting work priorities, schedules, and operational objectives, 3) establishing appropriate maintenance standards and schedules for ensuring that facilities and infrastructure are maintained in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective manner, and 4) coordinating responses to emergencies and maintaining business continuity.

3. Regulatory Compliance and Government Relations

The GM is responsible for coordinating SIHPOC’s compliance with applicable federal, New York State, Suffolk County, Town of Shelter Island, and other governmental requirements. Responsibilities include: 1) maintaining current permits, licenses and required records, 2) Working directly with regulatory and governmental agencies, including the New York State DEC, Department of Health, Department of Labor, Department of Transportation, Suffolk County, and the Town of Shelter Island, 3) ensuring that required regulatory reports are completed accurately and submitted on a timely basis, 4) addressing potential or actual regulatory violations.

4. Member Relations and Communications

The GM serves as a principal point of contact between SIHPOC and its members and is responsible for facilitating clear, timely, and professional communication. Responsibilities include; 1) responding to and triaging member inquiries, 2) preparing and disseminating member communications regarding operations, policies, and emergencies, 3) leading the preparation for the bi-annual membership meetings, including meeting package and proxy voting, and 4) maintaining a professional relationship with members while appropriately balancing individual concerns with SIHPOC’s interests.

5. Personnel Management

The GM is responsible for the recruitment, supervision, development, and administration of SIHPOC employees. Responsibilities include; 1) recruiting qualified employees, 2) establishing job responsibilities, expectations and operating standards, 3) proposing annual salary and bonus recommendations, 4) ensuring employees maintain required licenses, receive appropriate training and professional development.

6. Board and Committee Support, Governance and Risk Management

The GM provides the Board and its committees with the information, analysis, administrative support, and institutional perspective necessary for effective governance. Responsibilities include; 1) preparing agendas, reports, and information packages for Board and committee meetings, 2) identifying operational, financial, environmental, safety, regulatory, and legal risks, and 3) assisting the Board in developing long-term operational and strategic plans.

7. Capital Projects and Infrastructure

The GM is responsible for identifying infrastructure needs, developing proposed capital projects, and managing approved projects from planning through completion. These projects are a component of the five-year Capital Plan, but may also need to be addressed outside of the plan. Responsibilities include; 1) developing project scopes, preliminary budgets, schedules, and implementation plans, 2) obtaining and evaluating proposals from engineers, architects, contractors, and other professionals, 3) monitoring construction quality, costs, schedules, and change orders, 4) disseminating communication to the SIHPOC membership.

Qualifications and Professional Attributes

• Robust financial and budgeting skills.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, particularly when addressing member concerns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a community with complex operational demands.
• Demonstrated management experience with employees, contractors, consultants, and professional service providers.
• Experience with infrastructure, capital projects, maintenance, or facility operations.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make decisions independently within established authority.

Key Characteristics of the Position

The GM must be equally comfortable working at the strategic level with the Board and its committees, as well as at the operational level with employees, contractors, members, regulators, and government officials. The position requires someone who can move effectively between long-term planning and immediate problem-solving, while maintaining a clear understanding of the Board’s role, SIHPOC’s obligations, and the needs of our members. The GM is expected to be proactive rather than reactive; solution-oriented rather than simply issue-oriented; and accountable for following matters through from identification to resolution.

The Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corporation (SIHPOC) is a private, member-based organization responsible for the management, maintenance, preservation, and stewardship of Shelter Island Heights, a registered historic residential community located on the northern end of Shelter Island, New York.

Established to serve the collective interests of property owners within the Heights, the Corporation plays a significant role in maintaining the community's distinctive character, infrastructure, and quality of life.

Unlike a traditional homeowners association, SIHPOC has unusually broad responsibilities. In addition to managing common property and enforcing community rules, the Corporation owns and operates essential infrastructure, including private roads and independent water and wastewater systems. The North Ferry Corporation is also a a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIHPOC.