Director of Communications

New York, NY, USA
Posted on  

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Homes solve homelessness. For decades, New York City has lacked the political will to enact these proven policies that solve, rather than manage, homelessness. RxHOME is leading a multifaceted communications, engagement and activation campaign focused on building the public support and political will to urgently implement real solutions to homelessness in New York City. 

The Director of Communications will oversee all external and internal communications for RxHOME’s campaign to build the public support and political will to implement real solutions to homelessness. The Director of Communications will be responsible for developing the RxHOME communications and PR strategy, as well as representing RxHOME as an organizational spokesperson. Working closely with RxHOME’s organizing, policy and operations teams, the Director of Communications will play a critical role in educating, engaging and activating New Yorkers in order to build the public demand for solutions and garner political support necessary to urgently act to end homelessness.

Our values are the foundation of our work; we are deeply committed to being an anti-racist organization and championing justice, equity and opportunity for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and marginalized communities/individuals. The RxHOME work environment is fast-paced, energetic, and focused on continuous learning and improvement, both internally and out in the field. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep passion for ending and preventing homelessness, possess a strong work-ethic, enjoy working collaboratively, and thrive when making meaningful, and productive relationships with diverse partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

STRATEGIC PLANNING

• Work with the Director of Health Policy, the Director of Homeless Solutions Policy, the Director of Operations and the organizing team to create PR, engagement and media strategies leading up to and after the 2021 New York City municipal election

• Draft and manage a communications calendar and oversee content creation for campaign events (in person and virtual, as appropriate)

• Collaborate with the Director of Health Policy, the Director of Homeless Solutions Policy, the Director of Operations and the organizing team to design and produce a candidate forum event

• Identify ways to engage in COVID safe community engagement and education activities/public installations

• Work closely with the Director of Operations and Director of Organizing to design RxHOME’s paid and earned media strategy

• Understand the community and political power structures in New York City

COMMUNICATIONS AND MESSAGING

• Work with volunteers, graphic designers, event producers, and paid media consultants to implement RxHOME’s paid and earned media strategy

• Working with other RxHOME staff, develop compelling narratives that help build the public support and political will to urgently implement real solutions to homelessness in New York City

• Manage digital, email and website content creation for RxHOME

• Create social media content and actively listen, engage in, and start conversations that advance RxHOME’s education and organizing strategy

• strategic partners to craft external and internal communication procedures

• Lead media-training for RxHOME board, staff and partners

• Draft and issue press releases, statements, op-eds, and talking points

EARNED MEDIA

• Build, manage and maintain relationships with media contacts, reporters, and editorial boards

• Identify opportunities for RxHOME board, staff and partners to write and place op-eds, and leading social media strategy for the organization

• Represent RxHOME by speaking knowledgeably and on-the-record with reporters, including on-camera interviews

• Field and direct media inquiries, coordinate print and broadcast interviews requests and identify the appropriate RxHOME staff or board member to participate in interviews

• Plan and manage media roll out strategy for the release of RxHOME’s reports and issue papers

• Develop, pitch, and place media stories that help RxHOME help build the public support and political will to urgently implement real solutions to homelessness in New York City

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Extremely organized and deadline driven

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Minimum of 5 years experience working in public relations, government, journalism or in a communications capacity for an elected or political official, advocacy organization or public relations or media outlet

• Existing relationships with reporters and editors at major New York City media outlets; ability to hit the ground running with press outreach

• Ability to quickly distill complex positions into sound bite-ready talking points

• Confidence in public speaking, and experience with media training

• Extensive knowledge of and experience in using social media as a listening and advocacy tool

• Strong writing, proofreading and copy editing skills

• Ability to manage multiple and often competing deadlines

• Extremely proficient with a Mac or PC, Microsoft Office and Google Drive

• Experience in direct staff management preferred, especially experience in directing team members and stakeholders that are not under direct supervision

• Demonstrated success in internal and external collaboration, joint problem solving, and constructive team dynamics

• Experience working on housing justice or homelessness advocacy issues is preferred but not required

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to economic and social justice. We embrace diversity and encourage interested individuals of all races, religions, genders, national origins, abilities, sexual orientations or identities, to apply for this role.

The target starting annual salary for this position is $85,000 - $110,000, depending on experience. We offer excellent benefits which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, and a retirement saving plan.

This role is a full-time position and our organization is temporarily remote due to COVID-19.

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

If the above description sounds like you, please submit a resume and a cover letter via email to: info@rxhome.nyc. In the subject line of the email, please put the role that you are applying for:

Director of Communications.

Applicants will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2021. Please submit any questions regarding this role to: info@rxhome.nyc.

 

RxHOME

RxHOME is an effort to end homelessness in New York City. RxHOME is leading a multifaceted communications, engagement and activation campaign focused on building the public support and political will to implement real solutions to homelessness, in our city.  RxHOME is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Solutions International Inc (Tax ID: 27-3523909).