Communications Officer

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) is seeking applications for a Communications Officer. This person will serve as a key member of the Foundations communications team, working in close partnership with another Communications Officer, the Director of Communications, and a Communications Intern. The position is an ideal fit for a candidate who is mission-oriented, creative, productive, and collaborative. In this role, you will join our dedicated staff in a collegial atmosphere and advance our work to make New York a healthier place.

Background

NYHealth is a private and independent foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. NYHealth began operations in 2006; today, it has approximately $350 million in assets. The Foundation is committed to making grants, but also to making a difference beyond grant dollars : informing health care policy and practice; spreading effective programs to improve the health system and make it more equitable; serving as a convener of health leaders across the State; and providing technical assistance to grantees and partners. The Foundation concentrates its initiatives on Healthy Food, Healthy Lives; Primary Care; and Veterans Health. NYHealth also engages in responsive grantmaking through a Special Projects Fund.

Position Overview

The Communications Officer develops, executes, and manages strategic and tactical communications and other activities to advance NYHealths goals and objectives. Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Officer works closely with staff across the Foundation to capture, share, and promote information, stories, and lessons learned from NYHealths grantmaking and areas of expertise. The Communications Officer serves as a strategic thought partner to the Foundations program and policy & research teams; serves as a chief editor of Foundation materials, including board books for quarterly directors meetings, grant outcome reports, research reports and briefs, and other publications; manages online and in-person / hybrid events; develops and maintains strong relationships with news media to promote the Foundations and grantees knowledge, results, and opinions; manages website content; and develops and implements social media strategies and online marketing. Although the role is inherently broad and cross-cutting, the incumbent will take a lead role in communications related to two of NYHealths program areas : Healthy Food, Healthy Lives and the Special Projects Fund.

Upcoming Priorities

The Foundation expects to engage in two major projects in 2026 : a website redesign and the observation and celebration of NYHealths 20th anniversary. The communications team will have primary responsibility for these activities and the Communications Officer will play a key role in both projects.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and execution of the Foundations communications plans, strategies, and tactics. Bring curiosity, proactive energy, and strategic thinking to generate and implement ideas for communications opportunities in collaboration with colleagues across the organization.
• Serve as a thought partner to program and policy & research teams to develop meaningful communications plans for various projects, primarily in NYHealths Healthy Food, Healthy Lives and Special Projects Fund program areas. Work closely with staff to identify and respond to opportunities to elevate the Foundations and grantees work among key audiences (e.g., policymakers, the media, health care and public health practitioners, community-based organizations, advocates, other funders).
• Develop stories that illustrate the Foundations and grantees impact, as well as needs and opportunities for policy change related to the Foundations priority areas; share stories through appropriate channels, including social media, news media outlets, webinars, and the Foundations website.
• Draft and edit written materials for external and internal audiences, including the media, policymakers, health care providers, community organizations, and NYHealth grantees, senior staff, and Board members.
• Manage the flow of reports and related materials through the NYHealth editing, design, and dissemination pipeline, in collaboration with program, policy & research, communications, and senior staff.
• Work with program and policy & research staff to develop, promote, and host regular webinars and in-person / hybrid events to highlight lessons and opportunities related to the Foundations program areas and policy priorities.
• Help cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists across New York State; monitor news coverage; identify and pitch news stories to appropriate reporters; draft news releases and public statements.
• Help manage the Foundations social media accounts and presence, staying abreast of current trends and platforms; monitor follower analytics and behavior.
• Work with program and senior staff to develop and place op-eds, blog posts, and letters to the editor.
• Help maintain the Foundations website, www.nyhealthfoundation.org. Work with website management firm to ensure the functionality of the site and make continual improvements to its design, utility, and accessibility. Develop and post content to keep the site fresh and relevant.
• Alongside other communications team members, help track website traffic through Google Analytics (GA4) to monitor site performance. Monitor metrics carefully to inform editorial decisions about type and placement of content posted, timing of e-mail alerts to drive traffic, and content of Google ads.
• Participate in strategic planning and program development. Understand and articulate the Foundations goals and priorities.
• Conduct research and develop talking points and presentation materials for CEO speeches, presentations, blog posts, and other commentary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $95,000$125,000, depending on experience and qualifications. This position is hybrid remote / in-person at the Foundations New York City office, currently with two days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) expected in the office.

NYHealth offers a generous package of benefits, including employer-paid health insurance; dental, vision, and life insurance; employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account; professional development and tuition assistance; and wellness and commuting benefits, among others. NYHealth is committed to mentoring and providing learning opportunities.

Application Process

Candidates are encouraged to describe their skill sets and experience in light of the above qualifications. Send cover letter and resume to HR at nyhealthfoundation.org and include Communications Officer in the subject line. Applications that do not include both a cover letter and resume will not be considered.

The New York Health Foundation welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and values having a diverse staff. Employment opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

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