Community Engagement and Communications Manager

Salary: The City of New York Office of the Mayor’s compensation package includes a competitive market salary, equity for all full-time roles and exceptional benefits. Our cash compensation range for this role is $85,000 - $95,000. The Problems You’ll Solve: The Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs seeks a strategic, experienced, and mission-driven professional to serve as Community Engagement & Communications Manager. This role will be responsible for supporting the Director of the LGBTQIA+ Affairs in a broad range of communications, community engagement, and operational functions.

The Community Engagement & Communications Manager will serve as a key advisor to the Director, leading the Office’s community engagement and communications efforts. This individual will play a critical role in establishing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with LGBTQIA+ communities, coordinating outreach initiatives, strategic communications campaigns, supporting public-facing communications, and advancing cross-agency collaboration. The Community Engagement & Communications Manager will help ensure the Office is effectively positioned to promote its mission, promote its work, increase visibility, and support equity-focused initiatives across all areas of the Office’s work.

The Community Engagement & Communications Manager will report to the Director of the LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

Position Summary: The Community Engagement & Communications Manager will initiate and support outreach, communications, and public engagement efforts for the Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs. This role will help establish, maintain, and strengthen relationships with LGBTQIA+ communities across New York City while promoting our work, supporting public awareness campaigns, community partnerships, and strategic communications initiatives.

The Community Engagement & Communications Manager will work closely with community-based organizations, advocacy groups, City agencies, private-sector partners, external governmental partners, and internal leadership to ensure that LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers are informed, represented, and connected to City resources and initiatives. The position requires strong communication skills, event coordination experience, cultural competence, and a commitment to equity and inclusive public engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support development and implementation of community engagement and communications strategies for the Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs.
• Build and maintain relationships with LGBTQIA+ community organizations, advocacy groups, service providers, and other stakeholders across New York City.
• Coordinate and support community meetings, listening sessions, public events, and outreach initiatives.
• Draft and manage communications materials including newsletters, social media content, talking points, press materials, presentations, website content, and community updates.
• Assist with planning and promotion of public awareness campaigns and Citywide initiatives related to the work of the Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs.
• Monitor community concerns, emerging issues, and public feedback impacting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.
• Support coordination with City agencies to promote equitable and inclusive messaging and community-centered outreach efforts.
• Represent the Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs at community events, forums, and interagency meetings.
• Maintain outreach tracking systems, stakeholder contact lists, and engagement reports.
• Collaborate with internal teams on strategic initiatives, public education efforts, and special projects.
• Support rapid response communications and stakeholder coordination during time-sensitive issues when needed.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Exercising sound judgment and discretion in managing sensitive and confidential matters on behalf of the Director.
• Coordinating across internal teams and external partners to advance equity-focused initiatives for LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Providing strategic, tactical, and project management support across the Office as priorities evolve.
• Performing additional responsibilities as assigned to support the mission

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in communications, public relations, public administration, social work, journalism, urban studies, or a related field.
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in communications, community engagement, public affairs, advocacy, nonprofit work, or government, with demonstrated experience working on issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience creating public-facing materials.
• Experience organizing community events, outreach campaigns, or stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Strong cultural competence and understandings of issues impacting LGBTQIA+ communities, including transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary (TGNCNB) people, people across all age strata including youth and elder populations, people living with disabilities, and communities of color.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and build strong community partnerships.
• Experience managing social media platforms and digital communications.
• Strong organizational and time and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and public service.
• Familiarity with New York City government and community engagement practices are preferred.

Preferred Areas of Expertise: Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• LGBTQIA+ advocacy and outreach
• Community organizing
• Public communications
• Digital media and social media strategy
• Event planning and coordination
• Public policy and government affairs
• Equity and inclusion initiatives
• Grassroots engagement
• Strategic partnerships

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity Diversity Equity & Inclusion Statement: The Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination, bias, and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.

The Office of Equity & Racial Justice LGBTQIA+ Affairs values diversity in backgrounds and in experiences that is reflective of the city it serves. Applicants of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged and welcome to apply.