Publicist

The New York Historical; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Flexible spending

EAP program

Store discount

Free museum admission

Job summary

The New York Historical is seeking a Publicist to join the External Affairs team in New York. The role focuses on media outreach for exhibitions and institutional announcements, serving as a primary point of contact for journalists and shaping communication plans for a full slate of programs and initiatives.

Working closely with the Director of Public Relations, you will pitch, liaise with media, arrange press visits, host interviews, and coordinate on-site filming and previews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, or related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in Communications/Public Relations; arts/culture background a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills; excellent written and oral communication.
• Excellent organizational skills with superb attention to detail.
• Collaborative team player with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Interest in American history a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Availability for occasional early morning, evening, and weekend events.

Responsibilities

• With the Director of PR, develop and execute media outreach and press strategies for The New York Historical to generate local, national, and international media coverage.
• Pitch journalists about The Historical’s exhibitions, family programs, public programs, and other institutional initiatives; cultivate media relationships and spearhead outreach to new outlets (podcasts, Substacks, etc).
• Create press releases, press kits, image sheets, alerts, and media statements; compile target outreach lists.
• Field and respond to incoming media inquiries, interview requests, and general historical information media inquiries.
• Manage on-site news crews and photo shoots of exhibitions.
• Plan press previews as well as conduct media outreach and staff previews, exhibition openings, VIP receptions, fundraising events, audience development programs, etc.
• Other duties as required, including monitoring news coverage and maintaining media databases and press archives.

Skills

Communication skills

Media relations

Editorial writing

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English/Communications

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

REPORTS TO:

Director of Public Relations

New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the Reiss Family Graduate Institute for Constitutional History, the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better.

JOB SUMMARY

The Publicist plays a vital role in The New York Historical’s External Affairs team, handling PR outreach for exhibition coverage and other institutional announcements. Working closely with the Director of Public Relations and other members of the External Affairs team, the Publicist serves as a key point of contact for journalists and develops communication plans for a full slate of exhibitions, programs, and special initiatives. The position includes pitching, liaising with the media, and facilitating interviews, press visits, and on-site filming, among other responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• With the Director of PR, develop and execute media outreach and press strategies for The New York Historical to generate local, national, and international media coverage;
• Pitch journalists about The Historical’s exhibitions, family programs, public programs, and other institutional initiatives; cultivate media relationships and spearhead outreach to new outlets (podcasts, Substacks, etc);
• Create press releases, press kits, image sheets, alerts, and media statements; compile target outreach lists;
• Field and respond to incoming media inquiries, interview requests, and general historical information media inquiries;
• Manage on-site news crews and photo shoots of exhibitions;
• Plan press previews as well as conduct media outreach and staff previews, exhibition openings, VIP receptions, fundraising events, audience development programs, etc.;
• Other duties as required, including monitoring news coverage and maintaining media databases and press archives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, or other related field;
• At least 5-8 years’ experience in Communications/Public Relations; background working directly with journalists in the arts and culture field a plus;
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively;
• Excellent organizational skills with superb attention to detail;
• Collaborative team player who also excels at managing and delivering multiple independent projects;
• Interest in American history a plus;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite/Google Workplace;
• Availability to work occasional early morning, evening, and weekend events as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This is largely a sedentary role using a computer; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stoop as necessary. The ability to move through the museum is also required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The expected salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 per year. The successful candidate will be offered a salary within this range based on specific factors such as their individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

The New York Historical provides a generous benefits package for eligible employees to support their health and wellbeing, which includes:

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal days, and holidays observed by the Museum;
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance;
• Short and long-term disability coverage options;
• 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for employer contributions following one year of full-time service;
• Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses, dependent care, and parking and transit expenses;
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their families;
• 20% discount at the NYHistory Store, Café Clara and Clara restaurant, located within the Museum;
• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions across the city.

The New York Historical is an Equal Opportunity Employer.