Director of Communications

Title : Director of Communications

Supervisor : VP of Development

Location : New York, NY (Hybrid)

Salary: ~$125,000

Overview

The Director of Communications will lead CitizensNYC’s communications strategy and execution, building on a strong foundation to expand the organization’s reach, visibility, and influence across New York City. Reporting to the VP of Development, the Director will 1) tell compelling stories that bring the work, impact, and insights of our grantee partners to life across our communications channels; 2) grow CitizensNYC’s visibility through proactive media relations, thought leadership, and other external opportunities; and 3) manage and strengthen core communications, including our website, social media, and organizational collateral.

CitizensNYC, founded in 1975 as one of the nation’s first micro-funding organizations, provides financial and capacity-building support to thousands of neighborhood leaders who are making their communities more connected, resilient, and healthier. Every year, CitizensNYC receives thousands of applications and awards hundreds of microgrants across all five boroughs to small nonprofits, small businesses, volunteer-led initiatives, and public schools. Our grantee partners define their community priorities, and as a result we support a diverse range of projects in the areas of arts and culture, education and youth, environment and climate, health and wellness, economic development, and public safety.

Beyond our grant making, we are a convener and capacity-builder for community leaders throughout the city. Through our interconnected programs, we foster a network where grassroots leaders come together to share knowledge, exchange ideas, make connections, and develop solutions that strengthen the social and economic fabric of New York City. CitizensNYC is often the first funder of NYC’s grassroots community groups, and we are the only institution in New York City that provides citywide microgrants at this scale while also offering a community network and capacity building.

CitizensNYC operates a hybrid office, with work on site in the office 2 days per week (Tuesday and Thursday) in our Harlem office, and flexibility to work remotely on non-office days.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy to achieve our communication goals and manage progress towards those goals with relevant data and metrics. Develop and manage an annual communications plan; collaborate across teams to identify communications opportunities for different stakeholders; track key performance indicators; and adapt strategies based on results.
• Writing and storytelling, inclusive of developing a robust pipeline of compelling stories that elevate the experiences, insights, and accomplishments of CitizensNYC’s grantee partners and demonstrate the impact of neighborhood-led change for use across social media, email, newsletters, the website, events, media pitches, and other organizational materials. Serve as lead writer for public remarks by CEO, grantee partners, and other external partners.
• Social media management , with a focus on growing our presence and engagement on LinkedIn and Instagram. Develop platform-specific content that reaches key stakeholders and brings our grantee partners’ work to life, including through increased use of short-form video.
• Earned media and public relations, proactively identifying opportunities to increase the visibility of CitizensNYC in local and relevant national media. Develop story pitches tied to our work, grantee network, and issues affecting NYC neighborhoods; cultivate relationships with media contacts; and support leadership and grantee partners preparing for media opportunities.
• Thought leadership , inclusive of developing and executing a focused strategy with organizational leadership that positions CitizensNYC as an important voice on neighborhood-led change and the issues affecting NYC communities. Identify opportunities for speaking engagements, conferences, panels, blog series, and partnerships with peer organizations.
• Website and organizational communications management , ensuring that the website and core communications materials such as impact reports, pitch decks, and grant program collateral are current, compelling, consistent, and responsive to the needs of our key audiences.
• Project and team management, including owning the communications calendar, balancing longer-term strategic priorities with ongoing organizational communications needs, and managing a Communications Intern and contracted communications support as needed.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 yearsof relevant experience working in communications, marketing, media, journalism or a related field.
• Passion for strengthening New York City neighborhoods and knowledge of the city’s communities.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications strategies across multiple channels for diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong storytelling instincts and exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex work into clear, compelling stories for different audiences.
• Experience developing thought-leadership content and opportunities, such as op-eds, articles, speaking engagements, panels, conferences, or external partnerships.
• Experience with earned media and public relations, including developing pitches, identifying newsworthy opportunities, cultivating media relationships, and securing coverage.
• Project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative, think creatively, offer new ideas, and push us to become a more effective organization.
• Proficiency in relevant communications tools, including social media (particularly LinkedIn and Instagram), website (WordPress or similar), AI (ChatGPT/Claude), email (Mailchimp), basic graphic design (Canva), Microsoft/Google suites, and project management (Monday or similar).
• Experience supervising interns, staff, freelancers, or consultants is preferred.
• Bonus skills: Video production and editing; advanced graphic design; public speaking or spokesperson experience; existing relationships with New York City media.

CitizensNYC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination in all employment activities—including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training, and termination—on the basis of any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (such as race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, marital status, criminal history, or status as a victim of domestic violence). We value and welcome applicants with diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.