Press Secretary
Description
Position Summary:
The NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) seek a Press Secretary who will serve a dual role as Press Secretary for both agencies. This individual will report to the HDC Vice President/HPD Assistant Commissioner of Communications. The primary role of the Press Secretary is to ensure that the objectives and achievements of both agencies are communicated efficiently and effectively to the media. The individual in this role will plan and direct the agencies’ press strategies, respond to media inquiries, pitch stories, send press releases, and manage press events. The person in this role collaborates closely with the HDC/HPD Communications Teams on message coordination, respective websites, and social media. The Press Secretary also serves as the liaison to City Hall’s press office.
Area of Talent: Press/Media/Communications
Position Type: Full Time/Exempt
Salary Range: $95,000-$110,000
Office Location: NYC/Financial District
Job Responsibilities:
- With the HDC/HPD leadership, plan and implement a strategic and proactive media strategy for HDC/HPD.
- Respond to media inquiries, draft statements, help plan events, and generate media interest in stories, op-eds, and interviews to advance HDC’s/HPD’s priorities and enhance their profile.
- Help support the website and social media channels for both agencies as well as the creative production and launch of any advertising, public campaigns, and print or digital content.
- Collaborate with the Mayor's press office on a daily basis, as well as communications staff from sister agencies, elected officials, and external partners.
- Help prepare HDC/HPD leadership for interviews and public speaking engagements; ensure the accuracy of information and delivery of key messages.
- Work with the Communications Team and City Hall’s Press Office to help plan events, inviting elected officials and community leaders.
- Attend and represent HDC/HPD at press/public events including helping to prepare talking points for speakers ensuring consistency in message, tone, data, and facts.
- Implement new ways of communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of five years of experience in communications, press, and/or related fields in a competitive and fast-paced environment.
- Experience in managing press related activities for senior leadership/executives in the private or public sector preferred. Affordable housing policy experience preferred.
- Proven experience in writing and editing press releases, briefings, op-eds, letters to the editor and/or other related press materials.
- Discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
- Ability to think on one’s feet in difficult and fast developing situations.
- Ability to synthesize complex issues into accessible and compelling content.
- Superior written and oral communications skills.
- Excellent relationships with the media and ability to build new ones.
- Comfort with both traditional and new media platforms.
- Creative thinker, problem solver, and motivated team player.
- Strong familiarity with the public policy arena and political process.
- Strong understanding of the New York City news media markets.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
It is strongly preferred that you submit a cover letter with your resume. You may also fax your resume and cover letter to (212)227-6816.
HDC demonstrates a strong commitment to its employees by providing a salary that is competitive and commensurate with experience and excellent benefits, including:
- Health Benefits at a reasonable cost
- Dental and Vision Benefits at no cost
- Retirement savings plan with a generous match and a pension plan
- Paid holiday, vacation, sick time and parental leave
- Professional development opportunities
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness for eligible employees
- Wellness reimbursement
- Back-up Caregiver Benefit
HDC 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.
HDC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, HDC will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please complete the reasonable accommodations section on the application or contact Human Resources by emailing [email protected].