About Open New York

Open New York (ONY) is a grassroots, non-profit organization advocating for abundant homes and lower rent. With a rapidly growing staff and over a thousand active volunteer members across the State of New York, ONY seeks to implement local and statewide policy changes that expand housing options for all New Yorkers. From Rochester to the Rockaways, ONY is organizing to pass innovative and necessary legislation to finally dig New York out of its decades-long housing shortage.

About Open New York’s Communications Department

ONY's Communications Department drives the public case for building enough homes in New York — and builds the political pressure to make it happen. We believe the housing crisis is solvable, and our job is to make that conviction impossible to ignore: in the press, online, and in the rooms where decisions get made. Through earned media, digital strategy, and brand, we shape how New Yorkers and their elected leaders talk and think about housing. ONY is one of the most influential advocacy organizations in the state, and this department is a major reason why.

About the Position

Open New York is seeking a Communications Manager to lead our earned media strategy and serve as the organization's primary connection to the reporters, editors, and producers who cover the issues we care about. They own the day-to-day press operation — making sure press statements go out, media interviews are coordinated, and talking points are sharp — while also building the longer-term campaign and coalition strategies that give that work direction.

The Manager also builds the infrastructure that makes ONY's media operation sustainable: developing a spokesperson and validator program, coordinating joint messaging with coalition partners, and managing the external firms and consultants that support our work. The role reports to the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, provides day-to-day direction to the Communications Coordinator, and works alongside the Content and Brand Manager.

It's a role for someone who's run press strategy in high-stakes environments, knows how to build trust with reporters, and can see three moves ahead in a campaign — someone who knows how to prepare an organization for the moments that matter, both the ones you can predict and the ones you can't. Deep familiarity with the New York press corps is a major advantage, but someone with a strong track record in another market who's ready to build relationships here quickly should absolutely apply.

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

• 6+ years of experience in communications, public affairs, or a related field, with a track record of driving earned media results
• Demonstrated experience leading proactive press outreach and managing relationships with reporters across multiple beats and outlet types
• Proven ability to manage rapid response communications across press and digital channels with speed, accuracy, and sound judgment
• Experience developing and executing earned media strategies in fast-paced environments
• Strong writing skills with the ability to produce compelling press materials, talking points, and digital content under deadline
• Experience supervising or managing junior staff
• A strong relationship builder — comfortable cultivating and maintaining connections with reporters, coalition partners, spokespeople, and colleagues across teams
• Proficiency with media monitoring tools and coverage tracking systems

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

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. The deadline for submitting applications to the Communications Manager position is May 15, 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Open New York is committed to a diverse workforce, and we seek diversity among applicants for this position. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Open New York is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.