The New York City Campaign Finance Board oversees New York City’s small donor democracy program and educates and engages voters via NYC Votes. The CFB has enjoyed a tremendous arc of progress over its 30-year history, and our updated flagship small donor democracy program is a centerpiece of this progress.
We eliminate barriers to participation by providing access to the resources New Yorkers need to vote or run for office and amplify the voices of small donors with New York City’s small donor democracy program.
You would be working with a staff and leadership that is mission driven and committed to continuous improvement for the staff and the public. We provide flexible work hours and environment.
The CFB Public Affairs Division promotes the agency’s key role in equipping all candidates and voters to power a fairer and more open democracy in New York City. We engage New Yorkers, inform them about elections, and boost their civic participation in the democratic process.
The New York City Campaign Finance Board seeks a Director of Public Relations to lead the agency’s publicity and media relations efforts, increase the agency’s profile, increase public awareness of the agency’s work, coordinate and produce events, and supervise the Public Relations Unit staff of three members. The role reports to the Deputy Director of Public Affairs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Devise strategic earned media plans to inform and educate the agency’s key audiences about its work, including New York City’s public matching funds program and its voter engagement initiatives
• Create and implement plans to increase public awareness of the agency, its mission, and its uniquely broad role promoting a more open, participatory democracy in New York City among interested national audiences
• Develop strategies to utilize new and emerging media platforms or outlets that are compelling to key audiences, including younger New Yorkers, New Yorkers with limited English proficiency, and other communities consistent with the agency’s targeted voter outreach plans
• Seek placements for agency leadership and staff at panels, presentations, and other events or media opportunities to highlight the work of the agency and the Board
• Develop and coach staff, agency leadership, or Board members to prepare for public appearances
• Maintain agency’s public reputation and lead reactive communications strategy
• Coordinate responses to inquiries from members of the press and public about the work of the Campaign Finance Board
• Coordinate the CFB Debate Program for candidates for citywide office, including the selection of sponsors and all other administrative matters relating to debates
• Coordinate and produce events that advance the agency’s mission and profile, including policy conferences and press events
• Lead efforts to publicize campaign finance data disclosed by campaigns and independent spenders, Board actions, data on audits and enforcement actions, and other public documents and information relating to campaigns
• Manage the Public Relations staff, including the Press Secretary, Assistant Press Secretary, and Events Coordinator, and lead the team in setting goals and paths for professional development
Minimum Qual Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by at least twelve semester credits (or the equivalent of twelve semester credits) in accounting, auditing, business or public administration, computer science, economics, finance, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related area of study and one year of satisfactory full-time experience in accounting, auditing (including compliance or investigative auditing), business or public administration, business analysis, computer science, database administration, economics, finance, fiscal or economic management or research, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related field; or
2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five-years of experience as described in 1 above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to 1 above.
Preferred Skills
• Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to plan and execute a publicity campaign with well-defined goals, capacity to track and evaluate its success
• Interest in and detailed understanding of emerging trends in media; demonstrated capacity to take a creative approach to storytelling, utilizing new or emerging media platforms, formats or outlets
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in New York City government and politics; established relationships in New York City media and/or established expertise in democracy issues
• Outstanding written and oral communications skills; comfort using data to make an argument or illustrate a point; ability to understand and communicate complex legal, administrative, or technical concepts clearly and simply
• Experience with crisis communications
• Comfort with communicating to diverse audiences
• Relationship builder; a strong collaborator able to communicate with staff at all levels of the agency and able to prioritize external relationships strategically
• Ability to supervise and mentor staff, and set clear standards that ensure consistency in agency’s public messaging
Additional Information
Pursuant to Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner’s Directive No. 2020-20 (concerning the Recruitment of Personnel During the Covid-19 Crisis), New York City residency must be obtained within six months after Emergency Executive Order No.98 is rescinded. If that time has passed, residency must be obtained within 90 days of the start date.
The CFB is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to diversity. All individuals are encouraged to apply. If you anticipate needing any type of reasonable accommodation to apply for an employment opportunity, please contact access@nyccfb.info or (212) 409-1800.
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.
To Apply
Internal City Employees must apply through Employee Self-service (ESS), External Applicants must apply through NYC.gov/careers.
• Please apply to the job ID number listed above.
• Resume and Cover Letter are required for consideration.
• Note that only applicants under consideration will be contacted.
For more information on careers with the NYC Campaign Finance Board visit our website at https://www.nyccfb.info/ to access the full listing of job opportunities and to learn more about our agency.
Public Svc Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at StudentAid.gov/PSLF .
Residency Requirement
City Residency is not required for this position
POSTING DATE
07/17/2023
POST UNTIL
Until Filled
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.