Communications Director

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York Mayor’s Office’s Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) is seeking a Communications Director who will shape and lead the public voice for disability initiatives. You’ll advise senior leadership, manage media relations, and oversee communications projects that advance accessibility and inclusion across City services.

You will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, craft speeches, and coordinate campaigns to elevate MOPD’s profile while guiding a dedicated

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least six years of communications experience preferred.
• Education/experience equivalent to the above qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Develop a cohesive public voice for MOPD across press, digital, and public materials.
• Oversee media strategy, proactive campaigns, and spokesperson activities.
• Edit copy and write speeches in the Commissioner’s voice.
• Coordinate with City agencies and external media partners on events and resources.
• Supervise the Communications Team and manage multiple projects under deadlines.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Copy editing

Project management

Speech writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalency with degree or equivalent communications experience

Job description

The Agency You’ll Join

The New York City Mayor’s Office is responsible for overseeing city services throughout the five boroughs, coordinating public agencies and departments, and managing public property. The administration is leading the fight in making the city more affordable, reducing inequality, improving public safety, ensuring delivery of efficient and effective services, and working to make New York City’s economy stronger. We value leadership, transparency, fairness, and efficiency as we actively seek diverse talents from various sectors to join our team.

The Team You’ll Work With

For half a century, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) has been the liaison between the New York City government and the disability community. In partnership with City offices and agencies, MOPD ensures City initiatives, programs, and policies address the needs and interests of people with disabilities. The office regularly engages in advocacy and policymaking at the local, state, national, and international levels to make certain accessibility and full inclusion are key priorities for all public and private stakeholders alike.

The Problems You’ll Solve

The Communications Director is responsible for the public-facing voice of MOPD. They will develop and oversee MOPD’s strategic communications agenda with the ultimate goals of expanding its reach, elevating its public profile, and advancing the Commissioner’s and Mayor’s vision for MOPD. The Communications Director will advise the Commissioner on all communications and public information matters, and report to the Chief of Staff.

Duties include, but are not limited to

• Develop a cohesive voice through all communications media, such as press responses, proactive press engagements, digital communications, branding, web content, issue briefs, reports, emergency response communications, social media, public appearances, and more.
• Manage the rollout of creative, sophisticated, and effective communications projects.
• Ensure all public messaging adheres to the values and mission of MOPD and the Mamdani administration.
• Manage media story development, media targeting, pitching, and relationship management.
• Plan proactive and creative media campaigns and outreach.
• Review, edit, and write copy for all MOPD public-facing materials as needed.
• Write speeches, testimonies, quotes, and remarks in the Commissioner’s voice.
• Collaborate with staff and partner agencies to promote events and public resources.
• Staff the Commissioner during public appearances to ensure smooth event execution.
• Apprise leadership of potential issues with respect to public information and provide recommendations in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with communications counterparts in other Mayor’s Offices, city agencies, and external media partners.
• Create an effective and collaborative work environment that supports excellence in public service while centering the perspective of people with disabilities.
• Coordinate and direct other communications projects as identified by MOPD leadership.
• Supervise the Communications Team staff.

About You

• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proofreading and copy-editing.
• You have strong communications judgment with demonstrated ability to set and execute strategic communications projects.
• You understand the New York media market and policy landscape.
• You have experience working with senior leaders and making executive-level decisions.
• You have experience working with journalists and media organizations.
• You can coordinate multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment.
• You have excellent analytical thinking, organizational, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• You commit to disability justice, accessibility, and improving the lives of NYers with disabilities.
• You commit to racial and economic justice.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and at least six (6) or more years of communications experience – preferably in government, advocacy, nonprofit, or campaign settings.
• Education and/or experience that is equivalent to the above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Do you have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university?
2. Do you have an associate degree from an accredited college or university along with two (2) years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities?
3. Do you have a four-year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent approved by a state's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization along with four (4) years of experience as described in question "2" above?
4. Do you have a satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to that described in questions "1," "2," and/or "3" above?

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing communications strategies to advance advocacy or policy priorities.
• Experience with social media content strategy.
• Experience working with elected officials or other high-profile principals.
• Familiarity with City Hall press and communications.
• Familiarity with diverse media markets, including ethnic media outlets.
• Familiarity with design, video editing, or publication software, such as Adobe Illustrator, Premier Pro, InDesign, and Photoshop.

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 the 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.