Communications Officer

Communications Officer

The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) is seeking applications for a communications officer. In this role, the candidate will serve as a key member of the Foundation’s communications team, working in close partnership with another communications officer, the director of communications, and a communications intern.

NYHealth Background:

NYHealth is a private and independent foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. NYHealth began operations in 2006, and today the organization has more than $400 million in assets and a $17 million annual grants and operating budget.

NYHealth is committed to making a meaningful difference that extends beyond grantmaking by informing health care policy and practice, promoting the adoption of effective programs to improve the health care system, convening health leaders across New York State, and providing technical assistance to grantees and partners. Today, the Foundation concentrates its initiatives in four areas: Primary Care; Healthy Food, Healthy Lives; Veterans’ Health, and responsive grantmaking through a Special Projects Fund.

Position Overview:

The communications officer manages the day-to-day development, production, and execution of communications projects and activities to advance NYHealth’s goals and objectives. Core responsibilities include project management, editorial production, and coordination across teams to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality communications materials. Working closely with staff across the Foundation, the communications officer helps capture, share, and promote information, stories, and lessons learned from NYHealth’s grantmaking and areas of expertise.

The communications officer serves as a strategic thought partner to the Foundation’s program and policy & research teams; manages the editing and production of Foundation materials, including board books for quarterly directors’ meetings, grant outcome reports, research reports and briefs, and other publications; coordinates online and in-person/hybrid events; and supports website content, social media, and online marketing. The officer also leads media relations, serving as the Foundation’s primary media contact and strategist, developing relationships with journalists, promoting the Foundation’s and grantees’ work, and overseeing media coverage tracking and distribution to staff and board.

Reports to: Director of Communications

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and execution of the Foundation’s communications plans, strategies, and tactics. Bring curiosity, proactive energy, and strategic thinking to generate and implement ideas for communications opportunities in collaboration with colleagues across the organization.
• Draft, edit, and manage the production of written materials for external and internal audiences, including the media, policymakers, health care providers, community organizations, NYHealth grantees, senior staff, and Board members. Take hands-on responsibility for developing and refining content, coordinating input and revisions, and ensuring materials are accurate, polished, and completed on schedule.
• Independently manage publications and other communications products from initial draft through editing, design, approval, and dissemination. Lead day-to-day project management, including establishing timelines, coordinating reviews, tracking deliverables, troubleshooting delays, and keeping projects moving across departments and through production on schedule.
• Lead and execute the Foundation’s media relations strategy, building relationships with journalists across New York State and proactively identifying and pitching stories. Draft press materials, public statements, and op-eds; monitor and report on media coverage; and keep staff and Board members informed about relevant news and media trends.
• Expand the Foundation’s media reach by cultivating relationships with traditional and digital-first outlets, independent journalists, podcasters, newsletter writers, and other mission-aligned content creators—amplifying reach, diversifying audiences, and elevating the Foundation’s voice in new and innovative ways.
• Serve as a thought partner to program and policy & research teams to develop communications plans and identify opportunities to elevate the Foundation’s and grantees’ work among policymakers, health care and public health practitioners, community organizations, advocates, funders, and other key audiences.
• Develop and share compelling stories illustrating the Foundation’s and grantees’ impact and opportunities for policy change through news media, social media, webinars, the Foundation’s website, and other channels.
• Work with program and policy & research staff to plan, promote, and execute webinars and in-person/hybrid events highlighting the Foundation’s program areas and policy priorities.
• Help maintain the Foundation’s social media presence, develop content, monitor engagement and audience analytics, and stay current on emerging platforms and trends.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues to develop, update, and maintain Foundation website content. Monitor website performance using Google Analytics (GA4) and apply insights to editorial decisions, email promotion, and Google Ads.
• Participate in strategic planning and program development, bringing a communications perspective to the Foundation’s goals and priorities.
• Conduct research and develop talking points, speeches, presentations, blog posts, and other commentary for the CEO.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Superior writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with strong editorial judgment and an understanding of communications strategies and tactics.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, with the ability to independently manage complex projects, coordinate multiple stakeholders, meet competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality work with careful attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing successful media relations strategies; existing relationships with New York health journalists are a plus.
• Experience with social media strategy and website content management systems. Experience producing multimedia content, including videos and infographics, is a plus.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, creativity, flexibility, and sound judgment, with the ability to solve problems, make decisions, justify recommendations, and take initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with colleagues, grantees, partners, vendors, and consultants and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Strong commitment to the Foundation’s mission and goals.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, especially in regard to addressing racial health equity.
• Ability to travel occasionally for site visits and Foundation meetings.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of five years’ experience in nonprofit communications, preferably with a focus on public health and/or health care.

Application Process:

Send résumé and cover letter to HR@nyhealthfoundation.org and include “Communications Officer” in the subject line. The cover letter should describe your skills and experience relevant to the above qualifications.

NYHealth offers a generous package of benefits, including employer-paid health insurance; dental, vision, and life insurance; employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account; professional development and tuition assistance; flexible spending account (FSA); and wellness and commuting benefits, among others.

The salary range for this position is $95,000–$125,000, depending on experience and qualifications. This position is hybrid remote/in-person at the Foundation’s New York City office, currently with two days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) expected in the office.

The New York Health Foundation welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and values having a diverse staff. Individuals from historically marginalized populations are encouraged to apply. Employment opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

NYHealth offers a generous package of benefits, including employer-paid health insurance; dental, vision, and life insurance; employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account; professional development and tuition assistance; flexible spending account (FSA); and wellness and commuting benefits, among others.