DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New York is hiring an Administrative Public Information Specialist within the Commission on Human Rights. The Director of Communications leads a team to advance the agency’s mission and raise awareness of the NYCHRL, with responsibilities spanning media relations, multilingual outreach, and public information campaigns.

The role reports to the Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs and collaborates with diverse stakeholders, elected officials, and the press to ensure accurate, timely

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree with 24 credits in English, journalism or public relations and five years of full-time paid experience in public relations, journalism or advertising, including two years in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity.
• Graduate study in English, journalism, or public relations may substitute for up to one year; at least two years of administrative, supervisory, or consultative experience is required in public relations, journalism or advertising.

Responsibilities

• Develop communications and marketing strategies to advance Commission goals.
• Manage the agency’s communication budget.
• Direct all aspects of agency communications and marketing, maintaining strategic visibility via media and social platforms.
• Identify new campaigns to educate New Yorkers about rights and obligations under the HRL.
• Develop and build relationships with media, elected officials, stakeholders and the community.
• Lead research to inform campaign strategies and evaluate impact.
• Create multilingual materials to educate New Yorkers about HRL rights and obligations.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists across print and broadcast media.
• Act as agency spokesperson and primary contact for media and officials.
• Ensure message reaches diverse NYC communities through ethnic media buys.
• Coordinate with Mayor’s Office Communications and City Hall Press Office partners.

Skills

Public relations

Journalism

Advertising

Education

Baccalaureate degree + 24 English/Journalism/Public relations credits; 5 years PR/Journalism/Advertising experience including 2 years admin/supervisory

Job description

Job Description:

***TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION CANDIDATES MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE TITLE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST. ALL OTHER CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED***.

The Commission on Human Rights (the "Commission") is the City agency charged with enforcing the New York City Human Rights Law ("City Human Rights Law"), one of the most expansive civil rights laws in the nation, prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. The Commission investigates, litigates, and adjudicates claims of discrimination brought by the public. Where the Commission finds unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation have occurred, it obtains compensation to victims, orders companies to take corrective action, and can assess civil penalties. The Commission also engages in training and education to ensure New Yorkers understand their rights and responsibilities under City Law.

The Director of Communications reports to the Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs and works to develop and implement the communications and public relations strategy for the agency. The Director of Communications leads a team of communications professionals to advance the agency’s mission and execute strategies that advance awareness of the NYCHRL, the CCHR activities, and human rights issues impacting New Yorkers. The position collaborates with agency stakeholders, media, press, bloggers, advocates, community groups, elected officials and the general public.

Job Duties

• Develop communications and marketing strategies to advance Commission goals.
• Manage the agency’s communication budget.
• Direct all aspects of agency communications and marketing, maintaining consistent strategic visibility for the Commission via broadcast and print media (ethnic and non-ethnic), social media and other platforms.
• Identify new campaigns to educate New Yorkers about rights and obligations under the Human Rights Law (HRL).
• Develop and build positive relationships with media, elected officials, agency stakeholders and the community.
• Convene focus groups and utilize other research techniques, to inform the development and evaluate the impact of campaign strategies.
• Develop and disseminate multi-lingual materials to educate New Yorkers about their rights and obligations under the HRL.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, including ethnic media editors and other contacts as appropriate in print and broadcast media.
• Act as an agency spokesperson and serve as a key contact for media, elected officials, agency stakeholders and the community.
• Ensure the Commission’s message reaches a broad cross-section of NYC communities through significant ethnic media ad buys.
• Coordinate and collaborate with members of the Mayor’s Office Communications Team, the City Hall Press Office about Commission strategy and incoming stories, as well as with press and communications staff at sister agencies, as appropriate.
• Supervise staff in the Communications Team and support professional development through assignments and training opportunities.
• Lead the completion of reports required under the HRL or Charter through the development and review of content.
• Other duties as assigned.

ADMINISTRATIVE PUBLIC INFORMAT - 10033

Qualifications

1. A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with 24 credits in English, journalism or public relations, plus five (5) years of full-time paid experience in public relations, journalism or advertising, including two (2) years in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity; or
2. A combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above. Graduate study in English, journalism, or public relations may be substituted for up to one year of required experience. However, all candidates must have at least two (2) years of administrative, supervisory, or consultative experience in public relations, journalism or advertising.

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.