Friends of the High Line Hiring for Executive & Impact Communications Specialist at New York, NY Full Time

Friends of the High Line seeks a creative, emotionally intelligent, and analytical communications professional for the newly created position of Executive & Impact Communications Specialist.

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications and situated within the Advancement Division, the Executive & Impact Communications Specialist will write and edit compelling communications designed to advance our mission to reimagine the role public spaces have in creating connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities. The successful candidate will demonstrate resourcefulness in conducting research, natural curiosity paired with a knack asking the right questions, adept listening skills, and the ability to translate complex ideas into easily accessible content. Exhibiting excellent judgement and personal integrity, the person in this role will help increase stakeholder alignment and engagement, maintain a positive reputation and inclusive work culture, and elevate the public positioning of the organization and its executives to drive institutional goals.

The position requires a clear, persuasive writer and public speaker with demonstrated experience in capturing the individual voices of executives or public figures and creating strategic communications that spark the uptake of their ideas. The candidate must excel at collaborating across the Marketing and Communications department and many other divisions and invest in learning as much as possible about the nuances of their day-to-day work and objectives.

With adept skill at navigating challenges requiring urgent, multi-stakeholder communication, the Executive & Impact Communications Specialist will develop bespoke messages to address the needs of each audience. Additionally, the specialist will show impeccable attention to detail and the ability to edit the work of others for tone, editorial style, structure, content gaps, and clarity.

Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications and in partnership with leaders across the organization, develop internal and external content that plugs into existing communications strategies and is designed to serve institutional, divisional, and departmental goals.
• Write speeches, panel remarks, talking points, opinion articles, email messages, and other written deliverables as needed in the unique voices of executives.
• Conduct internal and external research and collect assets as needed for the building of communications, and execute fact-checking before their distribution or publication.
• Collaborate across the Marketing and Communications, Development, Operations, Programming and Engagement, and Administrative teams to develop plans and facilitate aligned communications efforts.
• Provide critical support for employee town halls, salons, and other internal events.
• Support the development of internal and external presentations to partners, staff, prospective funders, and others.
• Work across all divisions to ensure effective delivery of the proactive and reactive crises communications response plans during extreme weather events and other situations involving physical, reputational, and legal risk.
• Propose topics, angles, and compelling approaches to storytelling for the development of thought leadership communications.
• Edit and version the work of others for clarity, tone, structure, and essential information for key audiences.
• Ensure communications adhere to in-house editorial style guidelines.
• Work with the Public Relations and Communications Manager to pitch and place op-eds and other articles showcasing organizational thought leadership in appropriate media outlets.
• Identify and help facilitate field-related speaking opportunities and events for organization leaders.

Requirements

Qualifications

• A minimum of four years of professional experience in a writing or editing-related position, with at least some proven experience in writing in the voices of others, at an agency, nonprofit, government body, media outlet, or company.
• Superior writing skills across multiple formats, such as public remarks, articles, email messages, op-eds, etc., with clear ability to adapt tone, structure, and style as appropriate.
• A portfolio of writing demonstrating a successful approach to crafting thought leadership and/or translating complex ideas into compelling, accessible copy.
• Excellent judgment, personal integrity, and professionalism, with ability to maintain composure under pressure.
• Analytical and emotionally intelligent, with ability to think through reception of messaging and anticipate audience questions and concerns.
• Proactive and creative, with ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Highly organized and skilled at project management, with proven success in meeting tight deadlines, prioritizing, and working on several assignments simultaneously.
• Problem solving skills, with ability to respond quickly and adeptly to changing needs and circumstances.

Qualifications Considered a Plus

• A degree in communications, journalism, English, or creative writing.
• A portfolio of strong writing in different editorial voices for various audiences.
• Proven skill in writing content responsive to organizational goals via field, channel, and/or executive communications.
• Demonstrated interest in horticulture, public space, environmental issues, public art, civic engagement, community well-being, DEIA, or other relevant terrain.
• Prior experience in developing content strategy and calendars.
• Experience in contributing to and executing crises communications and reputation management plans.
• Additional fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, or another second language.
• Experience as a professional journalist.
• Proficiency in developing presentations in Google Slides and PowerPoint, and in using Google Workspace.

Abilities

• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
• Ability to work on-site for approximately three days per week.
• Ability to regularly work outdoors and to travel on business on rare occasions.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications and is part of the wider Advancement team.

Actual salaries may vary on various factors, including but not limited to experience and performance. The annual salary range is $70,000 – $80,000.

This position is a hybrid role, reporting approximately three days per week into our headquarters, which is located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.

• If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation during the application process, please send an email request to [email protected]. ** Resumes sent to this email address will not be given any special consideration. Please include a cover letter detailing your interest in and relevant experience for the role with your application.

Benefits

• Discounts Citi Bike Membership
• Discounts with vendors on the High Line & around the Meatpacking neighborhood
• Free entrance to Whitney Museum
• 7 sick days and 10 paid holidays
• Medical insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program

About Friends Of The High Line

The High Line is both a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan. We’re devoted to reimagining public spaces to create connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities through our work with communities on and off the High Line.

Built on a historic, elevated rail line, the High Line was always intended to be more than a park. You can walk through the gardens, view art, experience a performance, enjoy food or beverage, or connect with friends and neighbors while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City.

Nearly 100% of our annual budget comes through donations. The High Line is owned by the City of New York, and we operate under a license agreement with NYC Parks.

EEO Statement

The High Line is guided by a series of values through which we make decisions, including hiring. These values include proactively creating access points for all people, regardless of age, sex, color, creed, race, income, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

As part of our commitment to living up to these values and advancing equity within our organization and through our work, we are committed to an equitable hiring process. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with a broad range of lived experiences. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.