Manager, External Communications & Media Relations

Manager, External Communications & Media Relations

At Food Bank For New York City, our greatest asset is our people. Our dedicated team, known proudly as "Food Bankers" represents a diverse community united by a shared mission: To empower every New Yorker to achieve food security for good. We're a collaborative, driven, and passionate team dedicated to social impact. If you're energized by purpose-driven work and a values-led culture, we'd love to meet you.

Position Summary

Are you the person who reads the news before everyone else? Do you instinctively spot the story others miss? Are you constantly thinking, "I know exactly who should cover this?"

Food Bank For NYC is looking for a creative, proactive public relations professional who lives for earned media. Reporting to the Director of External Communications and Media Relations, the Manager of External Communications and Media Relations plays a key role in executing the organization's media relations strategy and editorial calendar, developing story ideas, identifying timely news opportunities, building relationships with journalists, and securing impactful earned media coverage that advances Food Bank's mission and impact. This role is ideal for someone with exceptional news instincts who also believes in the power of storytelling.

Core responsibilities include developing proactive earned media plans, writing pitches and press materials, maintaining media lists and editorial calendars, responding to media inquiries, supporting spokesperson preparation with talking points and messaging, and leading media monitoring and reporting. Will also coordinate media coverage for and at events and activations, support crisis communications as needed, and assist with managing vendors and agency partners.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Earned Media Strategy & Pitching

• Develop and execute proactive earned media plans that generate meaningful local, regional, and national media coverage.
• Own and maintain comprehensive media lists, continuously identifying new reporters, editors, producers, influencers, and outlets.
• Develop and manage an editorial pitch calendar tied to organizational priorities, awareness moments, advocacy efforts, campaigns, partner events, and seasonal opportunities.
• Monitor the news daily to identify opportunities to insert Food Bank into relevant conversations and rapidly develop media angles.
• Write compelling pitches, press releases, media advisories, web stories, and other press materials that resonate with reporters.
• Conduct thoughtful media outreach to secure coverage across print, digital, broadcast, radio, podcasts, and trade media.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and media contacts across the New York City market and beyond.

Communications & Story Development

• Collaborate across departments and engage with Food Bank neighbors, program participants, volunteers, and staff to identify and develop compelling stories that showcase our mission, impact, and partnerships while humanizing food insecurity and advancing meaningful earned media opportunities
• Gather information, statistics, and insights from internal and approved external sources to support media outreach and talking points.
• Draft talking points, background materials, and briefing documents to support media opportunities.
• Serve as a communications connector, ensuring earned media coverage, story opportunities, and key messaging are shared with internal stakeholders to support fundraising, marketing, advocacy, board engagement, and internal communications.
• Regularly partner with the Marketing Storytelling Manager to identify story opportunities and align earned media with marketing campaigns.
• Collaborate on newsletter content and integrated storytelling initiatives.

Reporting & Media Operations

• Lead all media monitoring, coverage tracking, reporting, and analysis.
• Respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews and logistics.
• Support crisis communications efforts as needed.

Events & Partnerships

• Support media relations surrounding events, activations, announcements, and campaigns, including onsite media coordination.
• Assist with entertainment public relations efforts, including related PR strategy and execution, pitching, and other duties as needed.
• Support the Director with coordination related to the organization's public relations agency and other vendors.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum 3-5+ years of experience in public relations, storytelling, journalism, communications, or a related field with a proven track record of achievement. Nonprofit experience is a plus but not required.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills and the ability to collaborate with colleagues and members of the media.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively (anticipating needs, spotting opportunities, and solving problems with minimal oversight)
• Solid organizational skills and the ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong knowledge of PR monitoring platforms (with Meltwater, TV Eyes, PR Newswire), trends, and technology.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and Zoom.
• Bachelor's degree journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.

Working Conditions / Additional Information

• Hybrid-remote role with at least 60% of the job doing field work — visiting Food Bank locations, finding stories, meeting with press and staffing media opportunities, going to events, and other duties as assigned.
• Nights and weekends as needed
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs

The pay range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 annually.

Featured Benefits

• Competitive Health Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match
• Generous paid time off (PTO, Holidays, Birthday Off, Volunteer Time, 4-Day Work Weeks during the Summer & more!)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care Accounts (DCA) & Commuter Reimbursement Accounts (CRA)
• Learning & Development Opportunities (Robust LinkedIn Learning library, Lunch & Learn Sessions, internal employee development & more)
• EAP, wellness and mental health resources
• Discounted staff perks (e.g., movie tickets, gym memberships, travel)

People-First Culture

At Food Bank for New York City, we pride ourselves on having a People-First Culture, our people are our greatest strength. In addition to our benefits, we offer employee engagement opportunities such as our culture committee, annual organization celebrations and more!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.