IONY Communications Coordinator

About the organization

Citizen Action is a statewide grassroots movement organization that fights for political, social, racial, economic and environmental justice. We work at the grassroots to give people a sense of their own power. We collaborate with organizations and coalitions in communities throughout New York to address critical issues at the local, state and federal levels.

About the position

Invest in Our New York, a project of Citizen Action of New York, is looking to add a Communications Coordinator. The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for developing and implementing a narrative strategy that advances a progressive economic worldview and bolsters the demands of the Invest in Our New York Campaign. This position will be supervised by the Invest in Our New York Campaign Manager.

What you’ll do and the impact you'll make

The core responsibilities for this role will include:

• Developing coalition communications strategy and messaging. Work closely with the Campaign Manager and campaign members to develop and execute the coalition’s top-level messaging and communications strategy.
• Coordinating materials/media production and distribution: Work with relevant staff, members and others to manage development, design, production, distribution and inventory of print and online materials (e.g. reports, signs, infographics, fact sheets, flyers) and multimedia content for the campaign.
• Monitoring media and leading rapid response. Regularly monitor the relevant news outlets and identify press moments, communicate updates & opportunities with campaign members, and draft
  and release statements in response to major news events.
• Managing media outreach and relationships. Bottomline relationships with press, coordinate IONY’s responses to media requests, including confirming spokespeople for particular media requests; develop and make strategic proactive pitches to news media to ensure frequent and consistent coverage of our issues.
• Training and developing grassroots spokespeople: Regularly recruit and train spokespeople from IONY organizations to represent the campaign in media opportunities and work with relevant consultants and staff to prep spokespeople for interviews.

• Managing and growing IONY’s social media accounts. Produce content for social media platforms; engage online audiences to drive them toward online and offline actions; monitor social media networks for news and trend developments related to key campaign issues.
• Developing content for IONY’s website and e-communications. Manage website updates, including drafting concepts and working with relevant website/design vendors to execute projects; draft content for regular and timely emails and mobile communications for public audiences.
• Coordinating IONY’s social media partners: Organize specific social network projects that advance priority goals; develop digital media resources and sample content for use/adaptation by IONY members/partners; coordinate social media teams to cover key campaign events, including producing live social media updates, live-streaming, and other forms of live documentation

• Participate in regular staff meetings and campaign meetings, contribute to overall campaign planning and coalition strategy
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Campaign Manager.

Skills/Qualifications:

Candidates should have:

• at least 4 years of directly relevant experience developing and managing strategic communications;
• excellent writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to analyze issues, think strategically and communicate about complex issues clearly through variety of materials;
• a track record of writing well, quickly and within deadlines;
• the ability to develop short, medium and long term plans for communications projects and the capacity to adjust and problem-solve;
• a deep commitment to progressive change and movement building, and working in a multi-racial and multi-cultural environment;
• excellent relationship skills;
• a strong understanding of the NY political media and press landscape and existing relationships with NY press;
• deep familiarity with the New York State political and social justice movement; and
• at least 2 years of experience managing staff and/or consultants preferred.
  

The ideal candidate will also have experience in digital organizing, online advocacy, digital communications and/or some graphic design experience.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position may supervise staff or relevant consultants.

Location

This position can be based anywhere within NYS but there may be frequent, required travel to NYC and Albany as part of the role. Travel beyond the region where candidates live is covered by the organization.

Our Benefits

• Working collaboratively in an organization at the forefront of building power across NYS
• Competitive salary
• 100% paid employee monthly medical and vision premiums
• Access to mental health and dental plans
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Generous paid holidays, vacation time, and paid sick leave
• Organization shutdown weeks in July and December, and Summer Fridays

Please note, all benefits are subject to change.

Salary: $71,859 - $82,659

Union Affiliation

Citizen Action is proud to be a unionized workplace in partnership with Worker Action. This position is a bargaining unit position.

Application Deadline

Applications received by November 3, 2026 will be given priority consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Citizen Action of NY and The Public Policy and Education Fund are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We are looking for the most passionate people who want to join our team. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the terms of the ADA and state/local laws. Please let us know if you need assistance participating in the interview process.