Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations

Department of Transportation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Transportation seeks an experienced communications and media relations leader to serve as Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations. This role will oversee the agency’s Press Office, advise the Chief Communications Officer, and coordinate with city-level communications teams to craft external messaging.

The incumbent will develop proactive information strategies, respond to media inquiries, and guide engagement with traditional media and digital creators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 4+ years in public relations, journalism, or related field with 18 months in admin/managerial/executive capacity.
• Alternative: education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the agency's Press Office and supervise the Press Secretary.
• Guide strategic direction, planning, and execution of media relations and engagement with traditional and digital media.

Skills

Strong writing

Organizational skills

Strategic thinking

Management experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations or related field

Job description

The New York City Department of Transportation provides for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and maintains and enhances the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of city residents. DOT is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse workforce in an open and inclusive environment. The DOT is seeking an experienced communications and media relations professional to serve as Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations. This individual will oversee the agency’s Press Office and serve as a critical senior leader at the agency who guides the strategic direction, planning, operation, and execution of the agency’s media relations and engagement with new media and digital creators. The agency’s Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations will serve as a trusted advisor to DOT’s Chief Communications Officer and supervise the agency’s Press Secretary. Working with the Chief Communications Officer, the Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations will proactively provide vital information to the public, craft external messaging, and devise strategies to communicate the agency’s work to the press and digital creators. The selected candidate will also ensure the Press Office provides thoughtful, timely, and accurate responses to questions from the news media. This high-profile job requires close coordination between various agency divisions, department leadership, media outlets, the City Hall Press Office, and other stakeholders across government. The selected candidate should be strategic, a creative storyteller, and a meticulous planner capable of guiding the direction and success of the agency’s Press Office.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS ( - 95989

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of full-time experience in public relations, journalism, or a closely related field including 18 months in an administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must possess the 18 months of administrative, consultative, managerial or executive experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Strong writer, excellent organizational skills, strategic thinker, and experienced manager.

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 generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.