Director of Communications

Company Description

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. For current job opportunities, visit our careers page.


The Team You'll Work With:
The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) was established in 1984 and incorporated into the New York City Charter in 2001 to promote the economic, civic, and social integration of immigrant New Yorkers, expand access to justice, and advance policies that strengthen immigrant communities across the city.

MOIA serves as a bridge between city government and immigrant communities by advising on and supporting the development and implementation of policies and programs that improve access to services for immigrant New Yorkers and speakers of other languages. The office partners with City agencies and community organizations to strengthen language access, expand equitable access to services, and advance initiatives that support immigrant communities citywide.

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The Problems You'll Solve:
The Director of Communications plays a central role in shaping how MOIA communicates its mission, programs, and priorities to immigrant communities, government partners, and the public. This role develops and implements communications strategies that elevate awareness of MOIA's work and ensure clear, accurate, and accessible information about services and initiatives affecting immigrant New Yorkers.

Working closely with the Commissioner, Chief of Staff, and senior leadership, the Director of Communications helps translate agency priorities into clear messaging and coordinated communications strategies. The role also works across City agencies and City Hall communications teams to ensure alignment on messaging related to immigrant communities and issues affecting immigrant New Yorkers.

The Director oversees MOIA's media engagement, public messaging, digital communications, and strategic outreach efforts, ensuring that communications effectively support the agency's mission and respond to emerging issues affecting immigrant communities.

Specifically, the Director of Communications will:
-Develop and implement strategic communications plans that support MOIA's mission, programs, and policy priorities.
-Serve as the agency's primary point of contact for media inquiries and press engagement.
-Coordinate with City Hall and agency communications teams to ensure consistent messaging across government.
-Translate complex policies, programs, and initiatives into clear and accessible communications for immigrant communities.
-Support communications related to emerging issues affecting immigrant New Yorkers.
-Develop messaging and materials that elevate awareness of MOIA initiatives and services.

Strategic Communications
-Develop and implement communications strategies that advance MOIA's priorities and initiatives.
-Work closely with agency leadership to ensure communications align with policy and programmatic priorities.
-Identify opportunities to strengthen public awareness of MOIA's work and initiatives.

Media Relations
-Serve as MOIA's primary liaison to media outlets and respond to press inquiries.
-Draft press releases, statements, talking points, and other media materials.
-Coordinate with City Hall communications teams on press strategy and media engagement.

Digital and Public Communications
-Oversee MOIA's digital communications, including website content and social media channels.
-Ensure information about MOIA services, programs, and initiatives is clear, accessible, and timely.
-Support development of communications materials for public outreach and community engagement.

Interagency Coordination
-Coordinate communications efforts with City agencies and City Hall teams on issues affecting immigrant communities.
-Support cross-agency initiatives by developing messaging and communications materials that align with broader City priorities.

Staff Leadership and Team Coordination
-Supervise communications staff and coordinate communications work across the agency.
-Provide guidance on messaging, communications strategy, and media engagement.


Flexibility and Additional Duties
-Undertake additional projects and responsibilities as needed to meet evolving organizational priorities.
-Support communications efforts related to emerging issues affecting immigrant communities.

About You:
The ideal candidate is an experienced communications professional with a strong understanding of government communications, media relations, and public messaging. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience developing communications strategies, managing media engagement, and translating complex policy issues into clear and accessible messaging.

They will be a strong communicator and strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced government environment.

Specific Skills:
-You have strong media relations and communications strategy experience.
-You have excellent writing, editing, and messaging skills.
-You have experience developing communications materials for public audiences.
-You can translate complex policy and programmatic issues into accessible messaging.
-You have experience coordinating communications across government agencies or large organizations.
-You have strong organizational and project management skills.

Additional Information
-In addition to the resume, a cover letter is required to apply.

Special Assistant (MA)-MGRL - 0668A

Qualifications

-Bachelor's degree required.
-5+ years of relevant experience in communications, public affairs, journalism, or a related field.

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.