Chief Communications Officer

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) seeks a strategic, imaginative Chief Communications Officer to lead communications across the agency. This role reports to the Commissioner and serves as on-the-record Communications Director, shaping trust, transparency, and engagement with drivers, riders, media, and the public.

The CCO will oversee a small team, drive four core goals—reintroduce TLC to drivers and the public, amplify the agency's new era agenda, create feedback loops for

Qualifications

• 5–10 years in strategic communications, public affairs, or related fields.
• Experience leading a diverse communications team.
• Proven on-the-record spokesperson experience and reputation management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; simplify complex policy.
• Ability to implement public-facing communications strategies beyond traditional media.
• Strong political acumen for navigating high-visibility environments.
• Manage multiple priorities with senior leadership, internal teams, and external partners.
• Commitment to equity, dignity, accountability, and public service excellence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as TLC’s primary spokesperson and on-the-record Communications Director.
• Lead proactive and reactive media relations, including campaigns and crisis communications.
• Build relationships with traditional, community, ethnic, labor, policy, and media.
• Advise the Commissioner on media strategy and brand identity.
• Lead and mentor a small communications team.
• Oversee an agency-wide internal communications strategy with HR.
• Oversee TLC’s digital platforms ensuring accessibility and accuracy.
• Create storytelling campaigns highlighting TLC’s work and wins.
• Identify proactive communications opportunities at events and forums.
• Oversee agency press events with TLC staff and Mayor’s Office.
• Support speeches and strategic messaging for leadership.
• Ensure communications are culturally competent and multilingual.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Media relations

Policy communications

Team leadership

Job description

• Job Category: Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs
• Salary Band: $150,000+
• Compensation: USD 150,000 - USD 200,000

Job Description

*The proposed salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate's experience and preferred skills.”

The New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) oversees a transportation ecosystem that moves nearly one million riders every single day, which is the equivalent of the entire transit system of a medium sized city. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) is the agency responsible for regulating New York City's taxicab and for-hire vehicle industry. With 180,000 licensed drivers and the iconic yellow taxi at the heart of our city’s identity, TLC is entering a new era of dignity, accountability, and collaboration across the for-hire vehicle sector. TLC continues to be on the front lines of a rapidly changing mobility landscape and our innovative efforts--whether requiring minimum pay for app drivers, ensuring wheelchair accessible service, making our licensed fleet more environmentally sustainable, working to eliminate traffic fatalities, or preventing discriminatory service--often serve as a model for other cities.

We are seeking a strategic, imaginative, politically savvy Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to help shape and amplify this new chapter of TLC, focused on three major strategic priorities: driver and passenger dignity, corporate accountability, and a transportation system that works together. This is a rare opportunity to lead communications for one of the most visible, impactful, and culturally resonant public agencies in New York City.

The CCO will report to the Commissioner and will serve as TLC’s on-the-record Communications Director, the primary voice of the agency across traditional media, social platforms, public events, and crisis communications. The Chief Communications Officer oversees a small team working closely with the Commissioner’s Office, the Office of Community Affairs, and policy and operations teams to ensure communications is not an afterthought but a driver of trust, transparency, and meaningful engagement.

The CCO will lead the charge on four core goals:

• 1) Reintroduce the Taxi and Limousine Commission to Drivers and the Public
• 2) Show TLC Work & Amplify Our New Era Agenda
• 3) Create Feedback Loops That Inform Policy & Operations
• 4) Democratize TLC Communications and Build Agency Reach

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as TLC’s primary spokesperson and on-the-record Communications Director, including for media interviews, press events, and public-facing communications.
• Manage proactive and reactive media relations, including media campaigns, in coordination with the Mayor’s Press Office, including crisis communications and rapid response, message development, and reputation management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with traditional, community, ethnic, labor, transportation, policy, and non-traditional media.
• Serve as the Commissioner’s top communications advisor providing support on media strategy and build a positive brand identity for the agency.
• Lead and mentor a small collaborative communications team that punches above its weight and works closely with the Commissioner’s Office and with the Policy, Operations, and Community Affairs teams.
• Build and oversee an agency-wide internal communications strategy in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Oversee TLC’s digital platforms including social media, newsletters, web content, and other public-facing channels, ensuring they are engaging, accessible, accurate, and aligned with agency values.
• Create storytelling campaigns that highlight TLC’s work, including driver and passenger experiences, behind-the-scenes operations, and policy wins.
• Identify and develop proactive communications opportunities that elevate TLC’s public-facing initiatives and presence at events and community forums, including Commissioner facing events.
• Oversee agency press events with TLC staff and the Mayor’s Press Office.
• Support the Commissioner and senior leadership with speeches, talking points, and strategic messaging as needed.
• Ensure all communications are culturally competent, multilingual, accessible, and consistent with the agency’s tone and vision, including public hearings, town halls, TLC reports.
• Foster a creative, collegial, and fun communications culture that encourages experimentation, and bold ideas.

PRESS SECRETARY (TLC) - 95786

Work Location:
New York, NY

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, government, advocacy, or related fields.
• Experience managing a team of communications professionals with diverse portfolios.
• A track record of serving as an on the record spokesperson or senior communications lead with experience in reputation management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to take complex policy into simplified and succinct messages.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement public-facing communications strategies, beyond traditional media.
• Exceptional political acumen and the ability to navigate complex, high visibility environments with grace and clarity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while collaborating effectively with senior leadership, internal teams, external partners, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, dignity, accountability, and excellence in public service.

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.