Press Secretary

Press Office

Position Title: Press Secretary

The Agency You’ll Join:

The NYC Mayor's Office administers all city services, public property, most public agencies, and enforces all city, state, and federal laws within New York City. New York City’s Mayor, Eric Adams is head of the executive branch of New York City's government.  Mayor Adams has served the people of New York City as an NYPD officer, State Senator, and Brooklyn Borough President. The Adams’ Administration is leading the fight to make New York City’s economy stronger, reduce inequality, improve public safety, and build a stronger, healthier city that delivers for all New Yorkers.  As an agency, we value fairness, helpfulness, transparency, leadership and build our teams around these values. For current job opportunities visit our careers page

The Team You’ll Work With:

The Mayor’s Press Office at City Hall is responsible for media monitoring, responding to media inquiries, preparing senior administration officials for media interviews, and planning media events designed to communicate accurate, timely information to the public.

The Problems You’ll Solve 

Reporting directly to the Deputy Mayor for Communications, key responsibilities will include:

External Spokesperson

• Acts as primary spokesperson for the Mayor.
• Drafts, edits and/ or oversees the development of press statements, quotes, schedules, and other written materials
• Talks to reporters, editors, daily to develop stories and manage relationships.
• Engages in and oversees press team rapid response.

Media Strategy

• Identifies news to release, positions to take to further strengthen the public’s understanding of the values and priorities of the administration.
• Collaborates and partners with teams- digital and speechwriting – as well as other departments (e.g., IGA) to develop innovative ways to communication information.
• Identifies strategic interviews and media opportunities for Mayor, other admin spokespeople, and/ or validators.

Management and Collaboration

• Preps the Mayor for Q&A.
• Manage press team. This includes day-to-day assignments—overseeing pitching/responses, staffing, office management --- as well as fostering growth and development of the team.
• Ensure the coordination of press statements across various departments including comms, DMs, digital and policy.
• Anticipates press interest and needs (ex. gaggle by the car to cover a hot topic)—and coordinates with teams (Front Office, IGA ) to make sure it happens smoothly.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience in media relations, communications, or a related field demonstrating an increasing scope of work and responsibility. Prior fluency in other languages is desirable, but not required.
• Willingness to work non-traditional hours. The Mayor’s Press Office does not work 9-5 hours and requires team members to be on-call nights, early mornings, weekends, and on holidays.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment, often under short and shifting deadlines and in high-pressure situations. The right individual must also be able to juggle multiple priority assignments effectively.
• Previous on-the-record experience is required, as is the ability to shape stories off-the-record and on background.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Being a strong writer, who can tell a story clearly and concisely is a must, as is a clear understanding of all AP-style rules.
• Prior New York City press experience and/or prior government, political, and/or campaign communications experience is strongly preferred.

Salary

The City of New York Office of the Mayor’s compensation package includes a market competitive salary, equity for all full-time roles and exceptional benefits. Our cash compensation range for this role is $165,000 Min Salary – $200,000 Max Salary.

Final offers may vary from the amount listed based on candidate experience and expertise, and other factors.

Apply here!

Equal Opportunity | Diversity Equity & Inclusion Statement

The Office of the Mayor is an is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination 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, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The Adams Administration 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.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by EEO at EEO@cityhall.nyc.gov.

New York City Residency Is Required Within 90 Days of Appointment