About the Position

Open New York is seeking an Earned Media Manager to lead our press strategy in the moments that decide housing fights - the budget deadline, the floor vote, the story that breaks at 9pm. You'll run rapid response, build the campaign calendars that keep us ahead of every predictable cycle, and serve as ONY's primary connection to the reporters, editors, and producers who cover the issues we care about. This is a role for someone who can see three moves ahead in a campaign and prepare the organization for the moments that matter - the ones you can predict and the ones you can't.

Day to day, you'll own the press operation: making sure statements go out, interviews are coordinated, and talking points are sharp. Over the longer term, you'll build the infrastructure that makes it sustainable - a spokesperson and validator program, joint messaging with coalition partners, and the outside firms and consultants who support the work.

Deep familiarity with the New York press corps is a major advantage. But if you've got a strong track record in another market and you're ready to build relationships here fast, we want to hear from you.

The role reports to the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, provides day-to-day direction to the Social Media & Rapid Response Coordinator, and works alongside the Content and Brand Manager.
Responsibilities

Earned Media and Press Relations

• Lead ONY's earned media strategy, setting priorities and goals for press coverage across local, statewide, and national outlets.
• Own ONY's day-to-day press operation - ensuring press statements, media interview logistics, and talking points are ready when they need to be.
• Anticipate upcoming media moments and ensure ONY is prepared well in advance - with strategy, materials, and spokespeople lined up before the cycle hits.
• Drive proactive press outreach to advance organizational campaigns, policy priorities, and advocacy goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editors, and producers across relevant beats and geographies.
• Understand and leverage the relationship between social media momentum and press coverage, working with the Communications Coordinator to ensure they reinforce each other.

Rapid Response

• Monitor news cycles, anticipate emerging storylines, and develop proactive and reactive communications strategies in real time.
• Lead rapid response messaging strategy across press and social channels, with day-to-day social execution handled by the Communications Coordinator.

Coalition, Spokesperson, and Validator Development

• Coordinate with coalition partners on aligned messaging, joint statements, and rapid response efforts as needed.
• Design and manage ONY's spokesperson and validator program end-to-end - identifying and recruiting strategic validators across geographies, demographics, and issue areas, and building an organization-wide system for cultivating, tracking, and deploying them.
• Prepare and support spokespeople for media appearances, public testimony, and other visibility opportunities.

Campaign Communications Strategy

• Develop and manage earned media and rapid response strategies for priority issue and electoral campaigns, integrating press outreach, coalition messaging, and spokesperson deployment into cohesive plans.
• Build and maintain campaign calendars around predictable legislative, budget, and political cycles, ensuring the communications operation is always ahead of the moment.
• Develop campaign messaging frameworks and press materials, ensuring the organization is prepared for every major moment.

Media Intelligence

• Design and own ONY's media monitoring and intelligence systems - including what gets tracked, how coverage is analyzed, and how insights are shared - with day-to-day execution handled by the Communications Coordinator.
• Identify trends, opportunities, and gaps in media coverage to inform campaign and press strategy.

Vendor and Staff Management

• Manage relationships with external firms, consultants, and vendors including PR agencies, media monitoring services, and freelance contractors.
• Provide day-to-day direction and mentorship to the Communications Coordinator on earned media and rapid response work.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years, or an equivalent track record, in communications, public affairs, or a related field, with demonstrated earned media results - including in fast-paced or campaign environments
• Demonstrated experience leading proactive press outreach and building relationships with reporters across multiple beats and outlet types
• Proven ability to run rapid response across press and digital channels with speed, accuracy, and sound judgment
• Strong writing skills with the ability to produce compelling press materials, talking points, and digital content under deadline
• A strong relationship builder - comfortable cultivating connections with reporters, coalition partners, spokespeople, and colleagues across teams

If you meet most of these - even if not every one - we want to hear from you. The best campaign and press talent doesn't always come in a tidy package, and we'd rather see what you've done than check boxes.
Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the New York City and New York State media landscape and political environment
• Experience managing external vendors, consultants, or agencies
• Experience in advocacy, nonprofit, or campaign communications
• Knowledge of and interest in housing policy
• Experience building or managing spokesperson and validator programs
• Background in coalition communications or working with allied organizations on joint messaging
• Experience with or interest in integrating AI tools into earned media workflows.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or directing junior staff.
• Proficiency with media monitoring tools and coverage tracking systems

Employee Benefits

Open New York offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance with 100% of employee premiums covered on the base plan, plus optional buy-up plans
• Dental, vision, and life insurance provided at no cost to employees who enroll in a medical plan
• 20 days of paid time off (PTO) annually
• 13 paid holidays each year
• 20 days of paid sick leave
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Benefits eligibility beginning on the first day of employment

Additional Information

This is a full time, exempt position, with a salary range of $90,000-$120,000 per year. The position is based in New York City and ONY operates as a hybrid team, with three days per week in our office in Lower Manhattan. The role reports to the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled - we encourage you to apply early. We aim to review applications quickly and keep you posted throughout.