NY Communications Director

The NY Communications Director is responsible for internal and external communications within New York, developing and executing sophisticated media strategies to advance our legislative and electoral priorities and telling our story to our membership, leaders, and the broader public. 

They will foster relationships with news media, editors, reporters, partner organizations, political campaigns, and public officials to advance campaigns, enhance our reputation and brand, and promote our values. They will also provide support for our growing digital presence on an array of social and digital media platforms that meet New Yorkers where they are. This team member will execute a strong communications strategy across multiple timelines, balancing rapid-response, short-term communications, and long-term narrative strategy alike. 

The Communications Director will serve as a key strategist and organizational leader, a primary shaper and steward of our brand and narrative, and lead the Party’s earned media work and digital program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Develop message and communications plans to advance priority campaigns
• Plan and execute internal and external communications to develop and grow our brand using earned, paid and digital media;
• Live in the news cycle; monitor risks and opportunities; seize real-time media opportunities to advance our values, position and brand;
• Build relationships with print, broadcast, new media journalists, and ethnic media;
• Anticipate, prevent, and, if necessary, manage crisis communications;
• Produce detailed reports of communications activities for staff and leadership;
• Support Director and staff spokespeople with talking points and media prep;
• Draft talking points, op-eds, memos, and other materials, as needed;

Management and Direction:

• Supervise communications team staff;
• Prepare and support New York Co-Directors to speak with press in moments that elevate the Party’s position; 
• Set team work plans and develop and execute communications strategy plan for organizational priorities; 
• Coordinate closely with National WFP Communications Team for cross-organizational priorities and campaigns;
• Manage relationship with communications consultants or vendors;
• Participate in NYWFP manager meetings;
• Track and distribute key press clips;

Party-Building Communications Strategy

• Develop and lead a mass communications program, including sending high-quality emails and SMSs to our membership to grow our fundraising, build our lists, and deepen engagement.
• Coach, train and develop leaders and senior staffers as media spokespeople and to manage WFP chapter communications.

Narrative Alignment

• Conducting regular trainings with staff, members, candidates, and elected officials on the latest narrative, messaging, and research developments.
• Facilitating and overseeing a monthly table of communications professionals of organizational allies and partners.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of communications experience; 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Detail-oriented, collaborative, and highly organized;
• Ability to react quickly and manage competing priorities without dropping balls;
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt as news breaks or opportunities arise;
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

What Else Should You Know

• Compensation: The salary range for this position as currently posted is $75,000 to $115,000. The final salary for this role will be determined based on our Pay Scale, which takes into consideration years of experience, geographic location, and final job description. We also offer a robust benefit package for full time employees including paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plan options; professional development funding; and remote work support.
• Location: The position is full-time and remotely based anywhere in the state of New York. Some limited travel will be required.
• Schedule: The position is permanent and full time.
• Union Affiliation: WFP is a unionized workplace. This is a managerial position, not included in our bargaining unit. WFP's union employees are represented by the New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board, Workers United union.