CHIEF PROGRAMMING AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER

Trust for Governors Island; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

The Trust for Governors Island seeks an experienced Chief Programming & External Relations Officer to shape how New Yorkers experience Governors Island, delivering an integrated program and external affairs vision. You will lead public programs, events, arts and culture, and communications with partners and government officials.

You will oversee a team, drive revenue through events, and expand mission-aligned programming while ensuring free, accessible access to the Island across seasons.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in related field a plus.
• Experience in external affairs, government or community relations, partnerships, or public programming; management of teams preferred.
• Strong communication, fundraising, and leadership capabilities.
• Experience developing and managing departmental budgets.

Responsibilities

• Set vision for annual calendar of public, community, and arts programs.
• Oversee events, arts, and cultural initiatives and fundraising support.
• Lead communications, PR, and marketing across campaigns and partnerships.
• Maintain relationships with government officials, community boards, and partners.
• Represent the Trust at public events and stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication skills

External affairs sensibilities

Curatorial insight

Business development

Negotiation skills

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Prioritization

Interpersonal skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

A popular year-round destination, Governors Island is a 172-acre island in the heart of New York Harbor located between Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. For almost two centuries, the Island was closed to the public, operating as a military base for the U.S. Army and, later, the Coast Guard. Today, an award-winning new park is complemented by dozens of unique historic buildings, educational and cultural facilities, a rich arts and culture program and a 22-acre National Monument managed by the National Park Service. Looking ahead, the long-term vision for Governors Island focuses on continuing to expand year-round public access by enlivening it with transformative public art and culture, extraordinary recreational and open space, and research and education dedicated to addressing the global climate crisis.

SUMMARY

The Trust for Governors Island (TGI or the Trust) seeks an experienced and strategic leader to serve as its Chief Programming & External Relations Officer (CPO). Working closely with the President/CEO, the CPO shapes how New Yorkers experience, learn about, and connect with Governors Island, delivering on an integrated and impactful programmatic and external affairs vision. The CPO oversees the Island’s public programs, events, and arts and culture initiatives, leading a team that delivers recreational, cultural, environmental, and community programming/events through both direct production and partnership models. In addition, the Chief Programming & External Relations Officer leads the Trust’s communications and external relations work, setting strategy for and overseeing government and community relations, communications, press, and marketing.

A member of the Senior Team, the CPO is responsible for growing the Island’s public profile, broadening and diversifying its audiences, delivering and expanding mission-oriented programming, and generating event revenue that sustains free, accessible programming for all New Yorkers.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

Programming, Events, and Arts and Culture

• Set the vision for and curate the annual calendar of public, community, and arts and cultural programs, balancing signature moments with everyday experiences that bring visitors back and deepen engagement.
• Ensure programming is accessible, reflects the diversity of New York City, is mission-aligned and measured against clear goals for attendance, audience reach, revenue, and community engagement.
• Oversee the Governors Island Arts team, which commissions public art and produces an annual series of cultural programs.
• Collaborate with the Governors Island Foundation on fundraising support for specific programs.
• Oversee the events team and grow a portfolio of revenue-generating events, including concerts, festivals, corporate retreats, and private events, while protecting public access to the Island.
• Create and maintain event/program operational procedures in coordination with operations, public safety, and ferry service teams.
• Work with Island tenants and resident organizations to align programming, marketing, and community engagement across the Island.
• Track and report on KPIs for programming and events on the Island.

External Affairs and Government Relations

• Develop and lead the Trust’s external affairs strategy, positioning Governors Island as a civic, cultural, and climate destination; attract New Yorkers from all five boroughs to experience this unique resource.
• Forge new and sustain existing programmatic and community partnerships across the portfolio.
• Maintain strong relationships with City Hall and local, state, and federal elected officials and agencies. Lead all lobbying and advocacy activities and oversee the government affairs consultant.
• Serve as primary liaison to community boards, community-based organizations, and neighborhood leaders, and build outreach strategies that expand who visits and uses the Island.
• Represent the Trust alongside or on behalf of the President/CEO at public events, hearings, convenings, and stakeholder meetings.

Communications, PR and Marketing

• Oversee the full communications and marketing portfolio, including media relations, digital marketing, social media, advertising, and brand identity (including merchandise) Oversee related consultant work.
• Develop integrated campaigns that drive visitation, promote seasonal and year-round programming, and deliver visibility for partners and sponsors.
• Prepare and support spokespeople and lead issues management and crisis communications in coordination with the Executive Team.
• Manage and lead significant budget areas for the verticals outlined.
• Lead, develop, and support the communications, government and community relations, partnerships, visitor and volunteer services, events, and arts and culture teams, building a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Collaborate with the Senior Team to advance partnerships connected to island-wide priorities and the organization’s mission, including sustainability and resiliency, equity and inclusion, and more.
• Serve as a member of the Senior Team contributing to organization-wide strategy and decision-making and serving as a strategic thought partner across the organization.

The above duties and responsibilities are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of this position.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in related field a plus.

Experience:

• 10 years of experience in external affairs, government or community relations, partnerships, or public programming, ideally at a public space, park, cultural institution, or other public-facing organization, including at least 5 years managing teams.
• Experience overseeing public programs/events strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of New York City government, local politics, and community landscape.
• Experience developing and managing departmental budgets.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven relationship builder with the ability to engage various types of partners and audiences from elected officials, to community leaders, corporate executives, and cultural partners.
• Excellent communication skills (writing, public speaking, and presentation), adapting style and message for different audiences.
• Acute political and external affairs sensibilities and judgment.
• Creative and curatorial insight, with a strong understanding of public programming, arts and culture, and events.
• Business development and negotiation skills, with a track record of meeting partnership or sponsorship revenue goals.
• Strategic planning skills and ability to help teams and organizations advance mission.
• Team player who promotes collaboration across all departments.
• Ability to manage short- and long-term priorities at once in a fast-paced, highly visible, seasonal environment.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including managing and coaching multidisciplinary teams.
• Valid driver’s license.

Salary Range

$210-220k per year

Location & Schedule:

All positions are located on Governors Island. The position is in-person four days per week and remote one day per week.

The Trust for Governors Island values the importance of inclusion, accessibility and a diverse pool of applicants. The Trust for Governors Island does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, genetic information, marital status, membership in an employee organization, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, or other non-merit factor.

ABOUT THE TRUST FOR GOVERNORS ISLAND

The Trust for Governors Island (The Trust) is a nonprofit corporation created by the City of New York. It is responsible for the redevelopment and operation of 150 acres of Governors Island. The Trust's mission is to realize the full potential of Governors Island for the inspiration and enjoyment of all New Yorkers, demonstrating a bold vision for public space. For more information, visit www.govisland.org.