Communications Manager

Summary of Position

The Municipal Art Society (MAS) seeks a full-time Communications Manager to lead day-to-day communications and help advance MAS’s strategic vision for New York City through engaging messaging that amplifies impact. The position provides key support in communications, public relations, public events, development, and advocacy. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a broad understanding of current New York City planning and urban design issues combined with strong communication skills, both written and graphic.

Responsibilities

The Communications Manager will report directly to the Director of Development and work collaboratively with all staff to ensure MAS communications are consistent, clear, impactful, and strategically aligned with the mission and focus of the organization. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

● Managing written and visual content including drafting, editing, and posting press releases, event remarks, public testimony, op-eds, research reports, advocacy agendas, and associated communications across the MAS website and social media.

● Creating graphics using MAS’s style guide and graphic identity, including design layouts in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Mailchimp, and WordPress.

● Establishing and managing an editorial calendar, including maintaining production timelines for newsletters, eblasts, the MAS website, and social media.

● Ensuring that public-facing communications are written and designed professionally and in-line with the organization’s voice and visual identity.

● Developing and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets for proactive press outreach.

● Monitoring local, state, and federal policy developments and managing rapid response messaging related to breaking news, legislation, and policy debates.

● Assisting the MAS president in preparing for interviews and events.

● Assisting senior staff in the implementation of strategic communication plans for MAS research and advocacy.

● Assisting senior staff on development initiatives including grant proposals and reporting, membership program materials, and member communications.

● Developing promotional materials for events and programs in collaboration with programs and development staff.

● Tracking engagement with external outputs and collaborating with staff across departments to develop enhanced engagement strategies.

● Assisting with on-site events, including some evenings.

Qualifications

This list of desired qualifications does not represent firm requirements. Applicants who do not meet all the qualifications may be considered and are encouraged to apply.

● Excellent professional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and polished content under tight deadlines.

● Excellent grammatical, spelling, and editing skills.

● Proven experience creating engaging social media content on Instagram and LinkedIn.

● Demonstrated ability to manage project timelines and prioritize multiple assignments.

● Familiarity with New York City’s political landscape and major policy issues around urban design, preservation, and planning.

● Proficiency with CRM databases, email marketing platforms, and website platforms such as Neon, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, MailChimp, WordPress and Give Lively.

● Proficiency with Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.

● Experience working within an advocacy organization, an urban design/planning organization, or an elected official office is strongly preferred.

● Master’s degree in a related field plus 2 years of experience in communications and media relations or a bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: February 6 at 11:59 PM.

Pease send the following as attachments via email to jobs@mas.org:

● Letter of interest, addressed to: Search Committee, Communications Manager

● Resume

● 2-3 writing samples, such as press releases, event remarks, grant proposals, or program-related or promotional texts

● 2-3 graphic design samples, such as published reports or pamphlets

● 3-4 social media samples

Include “Communications Manager” in the subject line of your email message.

Do not call or reach out to MAS staff directly, thank you.

About the Municipal Art Society

The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) works towards the creation of a livable city, to enhance the lives of all New Yorkers, and to use the municipal arts of architecture, landscape architecture, planning, preservation, and public art to improve and protect the built environment of New York.

MAS envisions a future in which all New Yorkers share in the richness of city life—where growth is balanced, character endures, and a resilient future is secured. For over 130 years our advocacy efforts have led to the creation of the New York City Planning Commission, Public Design Commission, Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Tribute in Light; the preservation of Grand Central Terminal, the lights of Times Square, and the Garment District; the conservation of more than 50 works of public art; and the founding of such civic organizations as the Public Art Fund, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, P.S. 1, the Historic Districts Council, the Park Avenue Armory Conservancy, and the Waterfront Alliance.