Public Affairs Director

New York University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

New York University’s School of Law in New York, NY seeks a Director of Public Affairs to shape institutional messaging and strategic direction. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, you will lead media outreach, crisis communications planning, and social media strategy to promote scholarship, students, clinics, and programs.

You will serve as a content strategist, identify key audiences including students and alumni, and oversee editorial content and public events communications to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years in communications, public relations, or marketing.
• Excellent written and verbal communications.
• Crisis communications and messaging experience.
• Familiarity with digital marketing and AI trends.
• Supervisory experience is a plus.
• SEO understanding preferred.

Responsibilities

• Shape the Law School's messaging strategy and direction.
• Oversee media outreach, response, and social media.
• Develop high-level editorial content for the School.
• Identify and reach key audiences including students and alumni.
• Manage communications for public events.

Skills

Crisis management

Storytelling

Digital marketing

Adobe Creative Cloud

Media relations

Strategic planning

SEO

Public relations tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

J.D. or Masters in Journalism

Tools

Public relations database

Media measurement platforms

Job description

Position Summary

The NYU School of Law brings together world-class faculty, exceptional students, and skilled staff to foster groundbreaking research and pedagogy that produces leaders who are sharp, passionate, and humane. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer and Assistant Dean for Communications, the Director of Public Affairs will contribute to shaping the institutional messaging and strategic direction of the Law School. They will play a key role in crafting the school’s communication strategy and overseeing its implementation, advancing operational excellence across the organization. The Director of Public Affairs oversees the development and operationalization of the Law School’s media outreach, response, and social media strategy, effectively promoting the Law School’s scholarship, students, clinics, and programs. The Director plays a leading role as content strategist, helping to identify and reach key stakeholders and audiences within the NYU Law community (such as current students and alumni) and beyond (such as scholars and leaders across the legal and business communities). The Director is also responsible for generating high level editorial content, as well as managing communications related to public events.

Qualifications

• Required Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Preferred Education: Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Masters in Journalism or Digital Media is preferred
• Required Experience: 7+ years relevant professional experience in the fields of communications, public relations, and/or marketing.
• Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to translate complex issues and topics into readable, compelling content. Solid, demonstrable communications track record, including effectively identifying and reaching target audiences. Proven expertise in crisis management, including communications planning and messaging. Proven story-telling ability across multiple platforms. Experience with academic and long-form journalistic writing a plus. Familiarity with digital marketing and communications trends, including AI and large language models. Sophisticated interpersonal and relationship management skills. Demonstrated skill in strategic planning, agenda setting, and aligning resources with priorities. Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, public relations database, and media measurement platforms.
• Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Supervisory experience a plus. Understanding of SEO strongly preferred.

Additional Information

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is USD $100,000.00 to USD $120,000.00. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, clinical compensation, or other items.

NYU Law is an intellectual powerhouse and innovator in legal education, known for its focus on leadership, global issues, and public service. As part of this diverse and accomplished community, you’ll work with top faculty, support learning and research, and have regular opportunities to develop professionally. Located in Greenwich Village, one of New York’s most inviting neighborhoods, the Law School offers highly competitive benefits and perks, notably tuition remission. NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply at all levels.