Director of Communications
: Job Details :

Director of Communications

• OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
• Full-Time

• No Exam Required

ABOUT THE OFFICE: The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) advises the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety on criminal justice policy and is the mayor's representative to the courts, district attorneys, defenders, and state criminal justice agencies, among others. The office designs, deploys and evaluates citywide strategies to drive down crime, reduce unnecessary arrests and incarceration, and improve the system's fairness. MOCJ works with law enforcement and city agencies, non-profits, foundations, and others to implement data-driven strategies that address current crime conditions, prevent offending, and build strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety.

ABOUT THE ROLE: MOCJ is seeking a well-qualified communications professional demonstrating both project management skills and public relations expertise. Working closely with the Chief of Public Affairs, the successful candidate will embrace taking on independent action and decision-making, with a focus on ensuring MOCJ's dynamic and diverse communication initiatives and needs remain on-track, regardless of daily or programmatic demands.

The Director will serve a critical role ensuring projects reach key deadlines. The role also requires comfort and familiarity with external communications, e.g. handling press inquiries or managing external communications around MOCJ initiatives. With a strong commitment to teamwork, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to remain strategically future-focused while managing daily needs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and distributing information to news media as it relates to MOCJ's mission and function, goals and objectives, etc., so as to enhance the office's effectiveness, image, reputation and outreach;
• Helping to develop and direct the overall communications strategy of the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, as well as those of its component offices and initiatives;
• Craft compelling and strategic editorial and graphical content across various platforms;
• Produce both quantitative and qualitative reports to measure communication effectiveness;
• Strategize, implement, and oversee social media campaigns across multiple platforms. In addition, develop and execute influencer marketing strategies to amplify brand message;
• Building relationships with reporters and media outlets to ensure accurate coverage of MOCJ initiatives;
• Responding to daily media requests from reporters, journalism students and other media outlets;
• Composing press releases, advisories, speeches, talking points and related presentations and information;
• Preparing the Director and Leadership Team for media interviews and public events; and
• Other special projects as they arise.

TO APPLY: PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESUME, COVER LETTER AND 3 REFERENCES

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Skills

• Minimum of five (5) years of full-time professional experience working in a substantial public or private entity on communications, press strategy, public information or a related area, twelve (12) months minimum of which must have been in an executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory capacity.
• A baccalaureate from an accredited college/university (required) and an advanced degree in a relevant field (preferred).
• Knowledge of and experience working in the adult and/or juvenile justice, youth/human development, and/or social and human services fields (preferred).
• Excellent organizational, time-management and multi-tasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, problem solve, prioritize duties, balance competing priorities, work independently and within a fast-paced and team environment, pay close attention to detail, meet deadlines and work well under pressure.
• Outstanding written and communication skills, which includes having knowledge and ability to use multimedia communication tools.
• Confidence in communicating across a wide variety of platforms, including digital tools, written communication, and in-person presentations.
• Technical skills, including word processing, graphics, video and website management software, required.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, including the ability to effectively manage and communicate with internal and external parties at all levels.
• Effective and creative management skills, which includes leadership ability with the capacity to work both independently and cooperatively to effect key strategies.

Public Service 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

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

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.