Director, Communications

About the position

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) promotes the safety of all people that build, work, and live in New York City by regulating the lawful use of over one million buildings and construction sites across the five boroughs. With a focus on safety, service, and integrity, the Department enforces the City's Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law. Under direction of the Chief of Staff with wide latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and judgment, the Director, Communications manages the Communications unit.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Press Office, Correspondence team, and other communications staff.
• Work closely with the Chief of Staff to create and implement innovative and proactive strategies for outreach, education, and communication to the public via media outlets, events, and other mechanisms.
• Work with constituents and the media to communicate matters related to Department protocol, initiatives, or other plans.
• Ensure coordination between stakeholders in the implementation of projects, including internal stakeholders on cross-functional teams.
• Ensure that public communication adheres to the message, mission, and vision of the Department.
• Develop, implement, and refine internal communication strategies and events.
• Collaborate with other units to collect, review, and edit announcements and reports distributed agencywide.
• Apprise senior management of potential issues with respect to public information and provide recommendations for action.
• Review and edit public documents and communication, including information for the Department website and newsletters.
• Oversee the Department's public response to large-scale emergencies via press conferences, interviews, and news articles.
• Prepare senior management for high profile interviews and media interactions.
• Serve as a liaison to the Mayor's Office of Communications.
• Coordinate and direct the execution of special projects for the Department, such as annual reports and safety campaigns.

Requirements

• A master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, political science, public administration, public policy, public relations, or a related field from an accredited college or university and four years of satisfactory, full-time experience in advertising, communications, marketing, policy-focused advocacy, or public relations, at least two years of which must have been an administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory capacity.
• A juris doctor degree from an accredited law school and four years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in '1' above, at least two years of which must have been an administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory capacity.
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and six years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in '1' above, at least two years of which must have been an administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory capacity.

Nice-to-haves

• Understanding of the New York media market.
• Ability to communicate complex matters succinctly, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent analytical thinking, organizational, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to develop, design and implement long range plans, goals, and objectives.
• Time management and work prioritization skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with graphic design and publication software, such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
• New York City residency requirement within 90 days of appointment.