Content Writer & Public Relations Liaison

POSITION: Content Writer & Public Relations Liaison

REPORTS TO: VP, Philanthropic Initiatives

LOCATION: New York, NY

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

WEBSITE: The New York Community Trust

START DATE: December 2023/January 2024

ABOUT US

The New York Community Trust (“The Trust”) is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country. For the past century, The Trust has honored the wishes of donors who have entrusted them with their financial legacies to make lives better in the place they love. The Trust is a philanthropic leader in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, delivering nearly $200 million in grants in 2022 and more than $2 billion in the past decade. Today, in addition to a distinguished competitive grantmaking program, The Trust hosts donor-advised funds (“DAFs”) that make grants throughout the United States and donor collaboratives that work on the leading edge of philanthropy to improve the lives of New Yorkers. The Trust has long been a leader in the field, with innovations ranging from establishing the first donor-advised fund in the 1930s to making landmark grants, including the first to fight AIDS, build the High Line, support immigrant communities, and respond quickly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The position will report to the Vice President for Philanthropic Initiatives and work as part of a collaborative department to conceive, create, and produce a large volume of external communications.

The position is responsible for communications and Public Relations efforts to support The Trust’s mission and organizational objectives. These include increasing the visibility of The Trust among high-net-worth individuals and their financial advisors, and the trust & estates community; increasing the number of donors who name The Trust in their wills; promoting the grantmaking program and staff expertise; and maintaining The Trust’s strong and positive reputation.

Responsibilities

Writing and Producing Publications and Website Content (80%)

• Write and edit various print and electronic publications, including the following:

1. Annual reports, marketing materials, newsletters, speeches for the President, case studies, op-eds, blogposts, etc. as assigned.
2. Four Grants Newsletters annually as part of a small team.
3. Website content (existing and new site)
4. Special issue briefs for donors and other foundations.
5. Bios brochures of donors

• Manage a large volume of writing projects in different stages and proactively communicate status and important changes to the supervisor and the team.
• Oversee the drafting and rigorous editing process and collect timely feedback from staff and other external contacts. Ability to decipher which edits are relevant for the scope and purpose of the writing project.
• Develop collateral communications materials to meet various departments’ needs and modify writing style for the appropriate tone.
• Secure approval from VP, Philanthropic Initiatives for all quotes and stories from interview subjects (donors, philanthropic leaders, nonprofit staff and program beneficiaries) and internal staff in the program, donor, and finance departments as necessary.

Public Relations (20%)

• Manage Public Relations efforts and support the Public Relations consultants through research and writing in the production of press releases, op-eds, and editorial placements that feature The Trust, its staff, grantees, and donors.
• Respond to media inquiries and coordinate with VP, Philanthropic regarding urgent matters and recommended approaches.
• Coordinate media calls and press conferences with the President’s office.
• Sit in on journalists’ interviews with staff to verify accuracy.
• Ghostwrite responses to journalists independently or in concert with outside PR firms.
• Help with crisis communications, when necessary, with outside PR firms and others.

Administration

• Support the Director of Marketing in creating an annual communications and marketing plan.

Miscellaneous

• Keep up with trends in philanthropy and The Trust’s grantmaking areas
• Other activities and responsibilities as assigned.

NYCT supports skills-based hiring and will review several aspects of an application including work experience (internships, volunteer, project-based, part/full-time employment, etc), skill proficiencies, education (courses, certifications, college degrees, etc.) and involvement in professional & industry organizations.

• At least five years of work experience in a writing and editing role in communications, Public Relations, marketing, or journalism, and preferably in the nonprofit sector.
• Exceptional writing, editing and project management & relationship management skills.
• Familiarity with graphic design, print production and media relations.
• Familiarity with New York, its nonprofits, government, philanthropy, and media outlets is highly preferred.
• Experience with financial services, wealth management, or legal community is a plus.

Competencies Required:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume and deadline-driven environment with a positive attitude.
• Highly organized and clear communicator. Proactive and creative approach with ongoing updates and generating content ideas.
• A collaborative approach to collecting feedback and edits from staff, departments and consultants and understanding their perspective and sensitivities.
• Awareness of changing trends in contemporary language rooted in our values of equity and justice and adjusting tone as needed based on the content.

COMPENSATION

An annual salary of $90,000-$100,000 commensurate with the candidate’s experience. The position is on-site at our New York office and we provide several remote options (holiday remote week, summer remote, monthly remote days, etc). The Trust offers excellent benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan, an 8% employer contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan; partially subsidized medical insurance coverage; generous paid time off and other benefits.

The Trust is a qualifying nonprofit organization as defined by the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. As such, Trust employees may claim their employment time on their PSLF application.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply through The Trust’s HRIS platform, Paylocity Please provide relevant writing samples (press release, speech, marketing content, etc) for review. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in our recruitment process. The Trust strongly encourages members of underrepresented communities and individuals who meet most of the job requirements to apply.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, The Trust will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.