Part-Time Communications and Events Coordinator

The Design Trust for Public Space is seeking a part-time Communications and Events Coordinator to champion our mission to unlock the potential of New York City’s public spaces through community-informed design.

About The Design Trust For Public Space

The Design Trust for Public Space is a non-profit organization that unlocks the potential of New York’s public spaces. Our unique model catalyzes design ideas into action for a more just and equitable city. The Design Trust’s work can be seen and experienced throughout NYC, in parks and plazas, as well as streets and public buildings. Our impact spans across the five boroughs, from our first project developing design guidelines for the Brooklyn Public Library system, to reclaiming the High Line as an open public space, and to our recent efforts at removing permitting barriers for hosting events and resources in shared spaces.

Some of our current projects and upcoming public events include:

• Water: Designing an Equitable Water Future for NYC: Our 12th open call for project ideas, themed around water, invited New Yorkers to submit new ideas for public space and aimed to incubate solutions to the pressures exerted on New York by too much or too little water, and connect New Yorkers with the cultural vibrancy and memory inherent in our waterways. Five winning projects were selected and are currently participating in a guided incubator to transform their visions into tangible solutions in the public realm. In 2027, the Design Trust will host a citywide convening about Water where the cohort will present on their final work.
• Benefit for Public Space: Each year, our Annual Benefit honors innovative leaders who are instrumental in the positive transformation of the city’s shared landscape and raises crucial funds to make our work possible.
• Design Trust Council: The Design Trust Council is a community network of civic-minded professionals who support the Design Trust’s mission to make a lasting impact—through design—on public space in NYC. Council members, in recognition of their vital support, also enjoy a number of special opportunities, including invitations to a diverse roster of exclusive events providing an inside look at the projects, people, and organizations who focus on the activation and challenges of public space.

Responsibilities

This position reports directly to the Communications Director and the Development Director, and begins in early September. The Design Trust currently operates on a hybrid office schedule. Position will be mostly remote with 1-2 days in the Tribeca office (all staff are required to come in on Wednesdays). The position will be part-time (20-25 hours a week).

• Event Coordination: Support Annual Benefit event planning, logistics, donation tracking, invite management, and marketing outreach. A core part of this role is to support general event execution, including public-facing and donor-exclusive events. From ideation to set-up, we need a team player who can jump in to support our small staff as needed. This can look like creating event powerpoints, helping to order and set up catering, working and managing check-in, supporting social media marketing, creating graphics and direct invite outreach, etc.
• Content Creation: Support creation of owned media content in adherence to DT brand guidelines and values, including website updates and upkeep of our backend Content Management System, blog posts, email marketing copy, and social media collateral. Support our website redesign planned for this year. Help maintain the Design Trust editorial calendar, and pitch program marketing and community outreach ideas, including pitching and creating collateral for our Public Space Blog and Public Space Newsletter, and creating social media copy and graphics.
• Documentation, Research, and Archive Tasks: Help take photos of events and programs, organize and upkeep photo and video archives documenting Design Trust projects and events, support with general project research and archival tasks as needed. This could look like helping update press and advocacy contact lists, taking notes during meetings, researching venues, and compiling and organizing project-related background data.

Requirements

This job is a learning opportunity, but preferred candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Thrives in a small-office environment, proven excellent written and oral communication skills and organizational skills;
• Past event management experience;
• Experience with and knowledge of current social media platforms and trends, and content creation skills;
• Excellent copyediting and copywriting skills;
• Experience with CMS, database management, and website management is a plus;
• Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office;
• Preferred experience with graphic design and photography/editing (Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign and Photoshop, as well as Canva), videography is a huge plus;
• Existing knowledge of the urban planning and design landscape, and a love for New York City’s community and culture will give you an edge;
• Position open to current undergraduates, recent college graduates, and entry-level graduate students pursuing a degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Urban Design, nonprofit management and development, or a related field (or a strong writer and organizer looking to break into the field).

Pay

$25/hour, 20-25 hours a week.