Press Secretary

About the Campaign Finance Board

The Campaign Finance Board (CFB) is an independent, nonpartisan municipal agency dedicated to increasing New Yorkers' influence in local elections. Its mission is to foster a more open, equitable, and transparent democracy by eliminating participation barriers.

The board facilitates voting, supports candidates' campaigns, and encourages candidacies through its voter engagement program NYC Votes, the citywide Voter Guide, a matching funds initiative empowering small donors, and transparency efforts that expose campaign finance activities.

About the Public Affairs Department

This department promotes voter awareness and engagement, especially among underrepresented groups, aligning with values such as purpose, curiosity, creativity, and teamwork. It manages diverse units including Marketing and Digital Communication, Partnerships, Language Access, and Public Relations, overseeing key programs like the Voter Guide, official citywide debates, and NYC Votes.

Role Overview

The Press Secretary, reporting to the Public Relations Director, is the primary media liaison dedicated to promoting the agency's public funding programs and election initiatives. They will craft and implement media strategies to educate on the matching funds program and amplify election news.

The role requires extensive knowledge of NYC politics and media relations, strong interpersonal skills, political savvy, and comfort with public-facing communication and media appearances. Additionally, the Press Secretary will supervise the Assistant Press Secretary focused on community and ethnic media, alongside Spanish media outreach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute media relations strategies; prepare press releases, advisories, and talking points; conduct interviews on and off the record.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists to secure accurate and nuanced media coverage about local elections and campaign finance.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for the agency in all media interactions and public forums.
• Manage all incoming media requests and inquiries promptly and thoroughly.
• Educate staff and media on campaign finance rules and programs to ensure accurate representation.
• Prepare agency leaders for press appearances and public speaking engagements.
• Represent the agency at diverse events including press, social media, board meetings, conferences, and other public convenings.
• Supervise and guide the Assistant Press Secretary.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Traits

• Understanding of federal, state, and city campaign finance laws and compliance requirements.
• Expertise in political and governmental media relations best practices.
• Familiarity with NYC government structure, local politics, and civic engagement topics.
• Strong communication skills, including clear writing, public speaking, and simplifying complex topics.
• Experienced in staff supervision, project management, and delegation.
• Creativity and strategic thinking in storytelling and media campaign planning.
• Capability to work independently and collaboratively, with high emotional intelligence, adaptability, empathy, and accountability.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and manage relationships internally and externally.
• Demonstrated capacity to respond effectively to rapid developments and unexpected situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four to six years of experience in politics, advocacy, or government communications.
• Established contacts with NYC journalists, especially those covering City Hall or politics.
• Experience managing teams or direct reports.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree supplemented with at least 12 semester credits in relevant fields (accounting, business administration, public administration, computer science, economics, finance, statistics, graphic design, human resources, user experience design, or related areas) and one year of relevant full-time experience; OR
• High school diploma or equivalent plus five years of relevant experience; OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Information

New York City requires residency within 90 days of appointment, with some exceptions for current employees. The City is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and a harassment-free workplace. Employees may qualify for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Salary Range: $80,001 to $100,000 annually.