Responsibilities

• Lead proactive identification of divisional communications priorities through community engagement, stakeholder listening, and ongoing analysis of the public’s behavioral health information needs.
• Conduct research and analysis to identify emerging trends, gaps, and opportunities in behavioral health communications, ensuring that strategies are data-driven and evidence-based.
• Lead rapid-response communications during public health events, behavioral health crises, or policy developments requiring timely, accurate, and accessible public-facing messaging.
• Ensure communications are accessible, culturally responsive, and available in languages that reflect the diversity of New York City’s communities, in partnership with relevant agency offices.
• Design and implement research initiatives to evaluate the effectiveness of communications strategies, including community surveys, focus groups, and data analysis, to inform continuous improvement.
• Directly supervise and mentor the Division’s Communications Officer, supporting their professional development and ensuring high-quality execution of communications work products.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to integrate research findings into communications planning and decision-making processes.
• Support additional communications and research projects as identified by agency or bureau leadership.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in public health or behavioral health contexts.
• Experience in media relations, digital communications, and the development of public-facing messaging campaigns or materials.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written work products under deadline, including press statements, talking points, social media content, toolkits, and executive communications.
• Experience working in or with government agencies or large mission-driven organizations preferred. Multilingual ability a plus.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Benefits

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• o a tax-deferred savings program and
• o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.