Communications Executive

About the Organization:UJA-Federation of New York is the largest local philanthropy in the world. For more than 100 years, we’ve brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Thanks to our network of hundreds of non-profits, we can leverage our expertise across any number of areas — including health and human services, arts and culture, and education — to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Our reach extends from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year.Position Summary:The Communications Executive is responsible for supporting the Director in executing public relations initiatives on behalf of UJA-Federation. This position is responsible for helping to tell the story of UJA-Federation of New York to the press, the public and other key constituents.Definition of PositionThe key areas of responsibility are managing media relations for all UJA events. Secondary areas of responsibility include supporting the cross-platform work of the marketing and communications department.Primary Responsibilities:Events: Plans and implements publicity strategy for events across all fundraising and programmatic divisions :Support more than 15 large-scale (hundreds of attendees) events and dozens of smaller-scale fundraising and programmatic events a year, duties may include:Attend events and manage press on site (several evening events.)Many events honor professionals outside UJA, and the executive is primary liaison with event honoree teams to make media recommendations, devise strategy, create media invitation lists, etc.Write press releases and media advisories for all eventsLiaise with internal UJA teams for each event.Every event requires a curated press list – the executive is responsible for researching reporters and other due diligence.Create post-event publicity items such as photo captions and alerts.Work with reporters covering events and provides timely materials and information.Liaise with social media team on newsworthy events, including:identifying social media-worthy quotes, speeches, and photosworking with photographers and others to capture and distribute timely photographslive-tweeting certain events when called upon.General Communications:Communications Executive is the second to the director, covering those responsibilities when and as needed.Meet with other departments to determine publicity potential of work across UJA and that done by UJA nonprofit partners.Write media pitches, press releases, media advisories, evites, and calendar listings, as well as feature stories for media.Prep UJA executives for interviews.Manage PR agency of record on specific projects.Maintains/daily update of all press placements and maintains UJA’s media webpage.When needed, supports other M&C work including back-up for social team, drafts email copy and moreCreates approximately two dozen press reports annually for UJA committees that include brief descriptions of media coverage, spreadsheets and paste-ups.Manages monthly department invoices.Qualifications/Skills:Minimum five years' experience in public relations.Experience with on-site events.Strong writing skills with experience specifically in writing PR materials such as press releases, media pitches, talking points, FAQs, and more. Copywriting for social media/live event coverage a plus.Excellent verbal and communication skills and ability to work with various clients and internal staff.Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills that includes attention to multiple deadlines and attention to detail.Works well under pressure -stays calm and is not easily flustered.Ability to write clear, persuasive, informative copy targeted to a variety of audiences.Preferable: knowledge of the New York Jewish community and issues facing the Jewish community, Jewish history and traditions, and current affairs in Israel a plus.Interest in the news gathering business, and in reading publications across topics to stay abreast of current trends and issues.College degree, with a degree in a related field a plus.Salary Information:The salary range for this role is $78,000 – 83,000 annually; commensurate with experience and qualifications listed above.