Senior Communications Manager

About the Office

The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) serves to make New York City’s criminal justice system smaller, safer, and fairer. MOCJ develops and implements innovative strategies – with partners inside and outside government – to reduce crime and incarceration, promote fairness and legitimacy, prevent offending, and build strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety.

About the Role

The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice – New York City’s Swiss Army Knife of an agency for all things criminal justice – is looking for a Senior Communications Manager who can do it all: content creation, media relations, web development, and more. Reporting to the Chief of Public Affairs, this is a hands-on role with wide latitude for creativity, initiative, and action. We’re looking for a versatile self-starter with excellent writing and storytelling skills and a knack for translating complex issues into engaging, easy-to-understand content. The ideal candidate can move comfortably from developing a social media video to pitching a reporter; from updating a website to drafting executive talking points. The candidate should know the exact right moments to use AI – and all the moments when a human touch is more necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage social media content and strategy, including short-form video production and editing, photography, copywriting, and identifying opportunities to grow engagement.
• Manage MOCJ’s public-facing website, including developing and updating clear, accessible, user-friendly content.
• Support media relations and rapid-response communications, including drafting press releases and other press materials, responding to media inquiries, developing pitches, and building relationships with reporters.
• Work with program and policy teams to tell compelling stories about MOCJ’s work by identifying community perspectives, data, research, milestones, and other opportunities that demonstrate impact.
• Monitor news and social media for emerging issues, opportunities, and risks requiring agency attention.
• Support senior leadership at MOCJ and City Hall by drafting speeches, talking points, one-pagers, briefing materials, and polished PowerPoint presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Support internal communications, including MOCJ’s weekly employee newsletter and other agency-wide communications.
• Ensure communications are accurate, accessible, consistent, and aligned with MOCJ and City Hall priorities.
• Support the agency at community meetings, press conferences, and other public events, occasionally outside core office hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university with two years of experience in administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory, or liaison responsibilities.
• Four-year high school diploma (or equivalent) with four years of experience as described above.
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with social media strategy and content creation, including photography, videography, and video editing.
• Experience with website development and content management.
• Experience with media relations and/or public relations.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills.
• Strong judgment and attention to detail.
• Initiative and time management skills to work independently with multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• Interpersonal skills to collaborate with executives, government teams, and community partners.
• At least five years of experience in government, public policy, advocacy, nonprofit communications, or a related field (e.g., journalism).
• Familiarity with New York City’s criminal justice system is a plus.

Pay

$68,213.00 – $92,500.00