Senior Communications Manager

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York’s Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice seeks a Senior Communications Manager who can oversee content creation, media relations, web development, and more. This hands-on role requires writing, storytelling, and translating complex criminal justice topics into clear content.

Reporting to the Chief of Public Affairs, the position blends strategic messaging with rapid-response communications and executive briefing support for internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• An associate degree with two years of experience in administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities.
• A four-year high school diploma or equivalent with four years of experience as described above.
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage social media content and strategy, including short‑form video production and editing, photography, copywriting, and engagement growth opportunities.
• Manage the City’s public-facing website with clear, accessible, user-friendly content updates.
• Support media relations and rapid-response communications, including drafting press releases and media inquiries responses.
• Tell compelling stories about MOCJ’s work by identifying community perspectives, data, milestones, and opportunities that demonstrate impact.
• Monitor news and social media for emerging issues, opportunities, and risks requiring agency attention.
• Draft speeches, talking points, one-pagers, briefing materials, and polished PowerPoint presentations for leadership.
• Support internal communications, including weekly employee newsletter and agency-wide communications.
• Ensure communications are accurate, accessible, consistent, and aligned with priorities.
• Assist at community meetings, press conferences, and public events, occasionally outside core hours.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree + 2 years experience

High school diploma + 4 years experience

Combination of education and experience

Job description

Job Description

About the Office: The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) serves to make New York City’s criminal justice system smaller, safer, and fairer. MOCJ develops and implements innovative strategies - with partners inside and outside government - to reduce crime and incarceration, promote fairness and legitimacy, prevent offending, and build strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety.

About the Role: The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice - New York City’s Swiss Army Knife of an agency for all things criminal justice is looking for a Senior Communications Manager who can do it all: content creation, media relations, web development, and more.

Reporting to the Chief of Public Affairs, this is a hands‑on role with wide latitude for creativity, initiative, and action. We’re looking for a versatile self‑starter with excellent writing and storytelling skills and a knack for translating complex issues into engaging, easy‑to‑understand content.

The ideal candidate can move comfortably from developing a social media video to pitching a reporter; from updating a website to drafting executive talking points. The candidate should know the exact right moments to use AI - and all the moments when a human touch is more necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE - BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

• Develop and manage social media content and strategy, including short‑form video production and editing, photography, copywriting, and identifying opportunities to grow engagement.
• Manage MOCJ’s public‑facing website, including developing and updating clear, accessible, user‑friendly content.
• Support media relations and rapid‑response communications, including drafting press releases and other press materials, responding to media inquiries, developing pitches, and building relationships with reporters.
• Work with program and policy teams to tell compelling stories about MOCJ’s work by identifying community perspectives, data, research, milestones, and other opportunities that demonstrate impact.
• Monitor news and social media for emerging issues, opportunities, and risks requiring agency attention.
• Support senior leadership at MOCJ and City Hall by drafting speeches, talking points, one‑pagers, briefing materials, and polished PowerPoint presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Support internal communications, including MOCJ’s weekly employee newsletter and other agency‑wide communications.
• Ensure communications are accurate, accessible, consistent, and aligned with MOCJ and City Hall priorities.
• Support the agency at community meetings, press conferences, and other public events, occasionally outside core office hours.

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?

RESEARCH PROJECTS COOR(MA)-MGR - 0527A

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.