Policy and Communications Director

Center for New York City Neighborhoods

Job Announcement: Policy and Communications Director

Background

The Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN) is a startup nonprofit organization created to address the foreclosure and credit crisis in New York City and beyond. CNYCN coordinates citywide programming among nonprofit partners providing legal services, housing counseling, and consumer education to those at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. CNYCN acts as the hub of a larger network of nonprofit service providers, and its activities include: expanding and strengthening that network by coordinating grants, technical assistance and training to network members; conducting research and developing policy to promote local and national solutions to the foreclosure and credit crisis; tracking case management data through a centralized reporting system; working with the statewide court system to develop innovations in legal process and mediation; supporting efforts to acquire REO properties for renovation and resale to low-income homebuyers; and many other similar efforts. 

CNYCN manages more than $6 million in direct grant allocations to nonprofit partners to carry out program activities. CNYCN expects to have a total staff of six.

Position Description

The Policy and Communications Director (PCD) will research, aggregate and expand upon best practices, policy, legislative action, marketing, communications, and other related efforts aimed initially at reducing defaults and foreclosures in New York City. Over time, it is expected that this activity will grow to cover broader consumer protection and consumer rights issues, including the articulation of policy and advocacy positions to direct and effect change. The PCD will work with partner institutions and subject matter experts on projects as diverse as data driven analysis, GIS mapping, marketing of CNYCN resources to needy homeowners and affected renters, and the development of online learning communities. 

In a rapidly emerging field with a constantly shifting landscape, the PCD must be a person with a tremendous interest and capacity for absorbing, synthesizing, simplifying and communicating complex policy and procedural issues. The PCD must be an avid reader, researcher, and writer.

Job Responsibilities

The PCD will have substantial oversight and authority within this activity, and will be in a highly visible position to all stakeholders.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the PCD will help to define audiences and craft communications to inform and engage them. Potential target audiences include homeowners and renters, community advocates, direct service providers, government leaders, funders and supporters, financial institution partners, and so on. The PCD will work with the Technology Director to select and manage third party vendors to communicate through various media such as radio and television, print and advertising, and web 2.0; and will have the primary responsibility for creating and managing content.  The PCD will also develop a speaker’s bureau of affected homeowners, housing counselors and subject matter experts that can address various aspects of the foreclosure crisis, and act to inform audiences on critical issues and new solutions, especially members of the media. Finally, the PCD will develop and manage relationships with the media, including drafting press releases and other communications to engage and educate the media in their coverage of the mortgage foreclosure and credit crisis.

Written and verbal presentation skills are critical to these tasks, and any applicant should amply demonstrate experience and abilities in both these areas.

While the PCD will not have direct management reports, this staff person will have project management responsibilities that will include oversight of grantees and contractors in the achievement of program objectives. The PCD must also have high level administrative skill in areas such as reporting and tracking, communications, and project management. The PCD must demonstrate a high degree of tact in dealing with grantees, contractors, funders, and board members.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in urban planning and policy, law, or finance preferred.
• Minimum of four years experience working in the nonprofit, public or community development sector.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Experience with research, communication or marketing strongly preferred.
• Strong contract management skills, including the ability to work independently and to set and monitor objectives and outcomes of contractors, awardees, or other service providers.
• Experience with legal services in disadvantaged communities, post-ownership housing counseling, single and small multi-family finance, community development grant making, or related field desired.
• Able to multi-task and work efficiently to meet diverse organizational needs.
• Familiarity with the causes and proposed interventions and solutions related to foreclosure and the subprime / credit crisis.
• High level proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other standard office tools.

Salary

$60 – $80 thousand, depending on experience; competitive benefits.

Submissions

Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to info@cnycn.org. Please note “Policy and Communications Director” in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Center for New York City Neighborhoods does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, class, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. CNYCN makes every attempt to match the diversity of its client base with diverse staff, board members, contractors, and grantees.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.