Senior Associate, Communications

Title: Senior Associate, Communications Employee Status: Regular Full Time Work From Home Option: Hybrid - 2 Days/Week (40% Remote) FLSA Status: Exempt Job Overview: The Senior Associate, Communications is a seasoned individual contributor who operates independently with minimal supervision and exercises sound judgment in the execution of communications initiatives. This role supports the development and implementation of projects, programs, and processes aligned with NYRA’s overall Communications and Corporate Affairs strategy. Leveraging advanced knowledge of communications principles and best practices, the Senior Associate contributes to the establishment of effective policies, procedures, and plans that enhance NYRA’s brand, reputation, and stakeholder engagement. This position plays a key role in shaping and executing external communications, with a primary focus on positioning NYRA and its priorities with local and regional media. The role also supports efforts to increase fan engagement and interest through strategic storytelling that highlights hospitality offerings and the overall guest experience at Belmont Park. Essential Functions: Responsibilities: • Operates independently under limited supervision, applying a high level of discretion and decision-making to manage assignments, address challenges, and resolve issues as they arise. • Leads the execution of assigned communications projects, ensuring alignment with NYRA’s organizational goals, brand standards, and messaging framework. • Develops and implements creative, audience focused communication strategies that support external visibility, fan engagement, and institutional priorities. • Drafts and edits external written materials, including press releases and other media-facing content, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency of message. • Manages on-site media relations activities, serving as a point of contact to support coverage, events, and stakeholder interactions. • Supports the formalization and continuous improvement of internal communications processes and protocols to ensure consistency, efficiency, and clarity. • Acts as a liaison across departments to facilitate coordinated messaging and alignment among internal teams and external stakeholders. • Operates independently under limited supervision, applying a high level of discretion and decision-making to manage assignments, address challenges, and resolve issues as they arise. • Leads the execution of assigned communications projects, ensuring alignment with NYRA’s organizational goals, brand standards, and messaging framework. • Develops and implements creative, audience focused communication strategies that support external visibility, fan engagement, and institutional priorities. • Drafts and edits external written materials, including press releases and other media-facing content, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency of message. • Manages on-site media relations activities, serving as a point of contact to support coverage, events, and stakeholder interactions. • Supports the formalization and continuous improvement of internal communications processes and protocols to ensure consistency, efficiency, and clarity. • Acts as a liaison across departments to facilitate coordinated messaging and alignment among internal teams and external stakeholders. Qualifications: 5-10 years of PR experience. Sports, business or politics preferred. Strong writing skills. Experience working with reporters/news outlets to understand story goals and provide information that helps drive positive narrative. On the record spokesperson experience preferred Demonstrated expertise in writing compelling and creative copy for the necessary medium. Summary of Physical Requirements and Work Environment: This role is primarily sedentary and performed in an office or office-like environment with no special physical demands required. The position involves extended periods of sitting with intermittent standing and walking, as well as occasional bending, reaching, and other routine movements typical of a professional workplace. The role requires regular hand manipulation, including daily typing and repetitive hand movements while working on a computer. Occasional light lifting (generally up to 10 lbs., and infrequently up to 30 lbs.) may be required. The work environment does not typically expose the employee to hazardous conditions. There is minimal exposure to environmental hazards such as moving mechanical parts, fumes, extreme weather, or high-risk work areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. Pay Range / Salary: