Director, Media Relations Job at Food Bank For New York City in New York

We’re seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking media relations professional who lives and breathes New York City. This person isn’t just media-savvy but deeply connected to the city’s pulse — the latest events , hottest restaurants , and which celebrities are making waves for a good cause. With a nose for news , they excel at building and nurturing relationships , especially across diverse demographics, crafting compelling narratives , and ensuring Food Bank remains at the forefront of meaningful conversations . A strong writer with a bold, creative, and energetic approach, the ideal candidate knows how to craft crisp, engaging copy , target relevant media , and pitch standout stories that command attention. They understand the nuances of managing relationships with people from all walks of life and can turn any moment into a media win or a story . If you’re ready to bring edge, excitement, and impact to New York City’s Food Bank, we want you on our team! Your Mission: The Director of Media Relations oversees all media relations activities for Food Bank, including: Developing, resourcing, and implementing media relations strategies, campaigns, media events and storytelling that support the Food Bank’s mission and brand. Building and maintaining relationships with journalists covering food insecurity in NYC and beyond and managing press lists and contacts in an ever-changing industry. Writing and editing news releases, pitches, and editorial content for print, broadcast, and online platforms. Managing media opportunities involving Food Bank staff, facilities, executives and CEO. Creating and maintaining multimedia marketing collateral, such as fact sheets, backgrounders, b-roll, photos, graphics, logos, PSAs, and usage policies. Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to advance the organization’s brand, mission, and goals. Duties & Responsibilities Editorial Oversight : Supervise the Food Bank’s editorial work, including news releases, op-eds, story pitches, fact sheets, and public statements issued by executive officers. Prepare a “daily brief” summarizing events or issues relevant to the organization’s mission or opportunities for promotion. Media Strategy : Develop and execute media strategies, plans, campaigns, and calendars to promote the Food Bank’s work and cultivate story angles for impactful media coverage. Proactive Story Pitching : Generate weekly story pitches using a blend of exclusive opportunities and general assignments to increase media coverage of food insecurity and the Food Bank. Policy and Advocacy Collaboration : Collaborate with the Public Affairs team to align media efforts with policy and advocacy goals, amplifying the organization’s priorities through strategic storytelling and media outreach and activations. Monitor City, state and federal developments to identify opportunities for impactful coverage and position the organization as a thought leader on key issues. External Partnerships : Manage relationships with external PR firms and media partners to coordinate campaigns and recruit sponsors for cause-related marketing efforts. Media Liaison : Serve as the primary on-call contact for media inquiries, facilitating interviews, access to facilities, and the distribution of resources like talking points, data sheets and stock footage. Collaboration with Feeding America : Act as the liaison for Feeding America media relations and celebrity appearances. Celebrity Partnerships : Support outreach, partnerships, and participation with celebrities and ambassadors, collaborating with external reps. Content Contributions : Write for Food Bank monthly media roundup and maintain the “news” section of the website for enhanced visibility and usability. Crisis Communications : Develop and implement crisis communication plans to safeguard the Food Bank’s reputation during sensitive situations. Serve as the primary media contact in high-pressure scenarios, ensuring accurate, timely, and empathetic messaging. Data Monitoring and Reporting : Track and analyze media coverage to evaluate PR strategies and identify opportunities for improvement. Prepare regular reports with actionable insights to refine messaging, enhance coverage, and measure media impact. Qualifications Minimum 7-10 years of experience in public relations, storytelling, journalism, communications, or a related field with a proven track record of achievement. Nonprofit experience is a plus but not required. Minimum 5 years of management experience leading a team Exceptional writing and storytelling skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to team building. Experience mentoring early-career team members. Strong knowledge of social media platforms, trends, and technology. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and Zoom. Familiarity with Meltwater, TV Eyes, PR Newswire, Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere and Audition preferred) is a plus. Bachelor’s degree — master’s a plus — in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field. This role is hybrid-remote, with at least 60% of the job doing field work — visiting Food Bank locations, finding stories, meeting with press and staffing media opportunities, going to events, and other duties as assigned. Compensation for this role is between $130k-$140k. Featured Benefits Competitive Health Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match Generous paid time off (PTO, Holidays, 4-day work weeks during the Summer & More!) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care Accounts (DCA) & Commuter Reimbursement Accounts (CRA) Learning & Development Opportunities (Robust E-Learnings library, Lunch & Learn Sessions & More) EAP, wellness and mental health resources #J-18808-Ljbffr