Director, Digital Media & Communications

Director, Digital Media & Communications

Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It's why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It's why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it's why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it's worth paying for.

The Times is hiring a Director Digital Media & Communications who will develop and execute a comprehensive and cohesive social and digital media strategy for The Times's corporate communications social media accounts on multiple platforms. You will also participate in the issues management and rapid response communications needs of The New York Times. You will create and program social content to tell The Times's story on multiple social platforms. You'll work closely with our data and communications teams to monitor social conversations, identifying emerging issues and deliver consistent and appropriate communication responses during sensitive situations. You are a highly organized, detail-oriented, and poised communications professional with expertise in deploying creative formats, including video, across social media platforms. You understand evolving online trends and narratives, the ability to quickly adapt within dynamic environments, and the capability to work effectively under pressure.

This is a hybrid role based either in our New York City headquarters or our San Francisco or Los Angeles bureaus, reporting to the Executive Director of Media Relations and Communications. You can typically expect to come into the office 3 days per week. This position requires some after hours, weekend and on-call work.

Responsibilities:

• Social Media Strategy You will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive social media strategy for the corporate communications accounts of the New York Times, leveraging social media to tell our story and responding to relevant trends. You will manage our corporate communications social channels, creating compelling content, monitoring conversations, and working closely with colleagues across the communications team to surface relevant topics.
• Rapid Response & Issues Management You will assist in the development and execution of social media rapid response plans during crises, breaking news, or sensitive issues, drafting, creating and posting approved rapid response content (e.g., statements, FAQs, reactive posts, short videos and other creative formats) across various social platforms, ensuring accuracy and brand consistency. You will also be responsible for crafting a nuanced social media issues management strategy for the New York Times, adhering to approved messaging and brand guidelines.
• Media Monitoring & Reporting You will identify potential reputational risks and escalate them to the appropriate stakeholders for speedy intervention. Working closely with our data team, you will monitor engagement and sentiment on rapid response posts, providing real-time feedback and insights. You will be responsible for providing after action reports summarizing the effectiveness of your strategy.
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience working in social and digital media and rapid response and issues management communications for a high profile organization.
• Deep understanding of current events and how narratives evolve across social and digital media platforms.
• Experience developing and executing successful social media strategies with a understanding of online community dynamics and brand reputation management.
• Proficiency with social media management platforms and social listening tools.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; proficiency with using creative formats and tools, including video, to share information across social platforms.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management skills, with experience developing consensus and alignment on a strategic point of view across a diverse and matrixed organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working at a media organization, campaign or large corporation with international reach and prominent presence on social media.
• Prior study or work with online influencers or high-follower social media accounts.