Director of External Affairs - NYC JOBS : Job Details

The New York City Mayor's Office is responsible for overseeing city services throughout the five boroughs, coordinating public agencies and departments, and managing public property. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The Adams' administration is leading the fight to serve the people of the greatest city in the world, ensuring delivery of efficient and effective services, working to make New York City's economy stronger, reducing inequality, improving public safety, and making the city more affordable that meets the needs of all New Yorkers. We value leadership, transparency, fairness, and efficiency as we actively seek diverse talents from various sectors to join our team.

The Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) is a team of architects, lawyers, data and climate scientists, engineers, policy advisors, geologists, and city planners working to create a city where our 8.8 million New Yorkers can live, work, learn, and play in healthy, resilient, and sustainable neighborhoods. MOCEJ integrates sustainability, resiliency, and environmental justice into one coordinated approach across several climate and environmental offices, all working to make our buildings efficient and resilient; our infrastructure climate-ready; our streets, open spaces, and public realm active, safe, and healthy; and our energy clean and resilient. All New Yorkers deserve safe, healthy, resilient, and sustainable environments, even as the climate changes. MOCEJ is committed to improving environmental quality for all, prioritizing front-line communities, seeking to redress current and past injustices and inequities while creating economic opportunities for all. Through science-based analysis, policy and program development, and capacity building, MOCEJ leads the City's efforts to ensure that New York City is minimizing its contributions to climate change, preparing to adapt and protect New Yorkers from extreme weather and multiple climate hazards, and giving every New Yorker a meaningful voice in our city's future.

The Director of External Affairs, reporting directly to the Executive Director, is a pivotal position within the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) aimed at fostering robust relationships and strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders. The Director of External Affairs will spearhead efforts to engage with external entities, including government agencies, NGOs, community groups, businesses, the media, and the public, to advance the mission and initiatives of MOCEJ. This role requires exceptional communication skills, strong leadership, and the ability to navigate complex networks effectively.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive external affairs strategy aligned with MOCEJ's strategic objectives.
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, environmental organizations, businesses, the media, and the public.
• Serve as the primary liaison between MOCEJ, City Hall, and external partners, ensuring consistent communication and collaboration.
• Lead efforts to advocate for MOCEJ's initiatives and policies within relevant governmental bodies and regulatory agencies.
• Strategically leverage partnerships and alliances to amplify the impact of MOCEJ's programs and initiatives.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure alignment between external affairs activities and organizational goals.
• Represent MOCEJ at external events, conferences, and meetings.
• Develop and implement strategies to effectively utilize social media and other digital platforms for external engagement and outreach.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to the Executive Director and senior leadership on external relations matters.
• Monitor and analyze external trends, developments, and policy changes relevant to MOCEJ's mission, providing timely insights and recommendations.
• Manage a team of external affairs professionals, providing mentorship, guidance, and support to ensure their success and professional development.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of external-facing materials, including press releases, reports, presentations, and marketing collateral.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Director on matters related to external relations, offering strategic counsel and expertise.
• Develop and execute an effective plan to utilize various social media platforms to communicate MOCEJ's climate change initiatives and mission.
• Ensure consistent communication of agency initiatives and mission to all constituencies.
• Cultivate and build relationships with members of the media, serving as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries.
• Coordinate media strategy around strategic initiatives, issues, and events.
• Develop and pitch story ideas on various agency initiatives and actions, serving as the chief speechwriter for the Chair.
• Create talking points and statements for dissemination to staff, media, and the public, and act as the public-facing spokesperson to the media.
• Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral, including press releases, social media platforms, brochures, website, email newsletters, etc.
• Lead the generation of engaging online content that reaches a broad audience.
• Coordinate website maintenance, ensuring the regular posting of new and consistent information.
• Serve as the Language Access Coordinator for MOCEJ.
• Handle sensitive and controversial issues with expertise and experience.
• Manage multiple assignments in short timeframes while delivering high-quality results.

About You:

You have the ability to navigate City government and communicate effectively with administrative and technical leaders, particularly on technically complex topics. You are resourceful and flexible, while being organized and detail-oriented.

Minimum Qualifications:

- A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 24 semester credits in English, journalism, public relations, communications, advertising, marketing, or business administration, plus five (5) years of full-time paid experience in public relations, journalism, advertising, communications, or marketing, including two (2) years in a managerial, administrative, supervisory, or consultative capacity; or - A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above. Graduate study in relevant fields may be substituted for up to one year of required experience. - All candidates must have at least two (2) years of managerial, administrative, supervisory, or consultative experience in public relations, journalism, advertising, communications, or marketing

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.