This role was previously posted as Communications Coordinator. We've revised the title and refined the responsibilities to better reflect the work. If you already applied to the original posting, you don't need to reapply. We'll be reviewing existing applications against the updated role description.

About Open New York

Open New York (ONY) is a grassroots, non-profit organization advocating for abundant homes and lower rent. With a rapidly growing staff and over a thousand active volunteer members across the State of New York, ONY seeks to implement local and statewide policy changes that expand housing options for all New Yorkers. From Rochester to the Rockaways, ONY is organizing to pass innovative and necessary legislation to finally dig New York out of its decades-long housing shortage.

About Open New York’s Communications Department

ONY's Communications Department drives the public case for building enough homes in New York — and builds the political pressure to make it happen. We believe the housing crisis is solvable, and our job is to make that conviction impossible to ignore: in the press, online, and in the rooms where decisions get made. Through earned media, digital strategy, and brand, we shape how New Yorkers and their elected leaders talk and think about housing. ONY is one of the most influential advocacy organizations in the state, and this department is a major reason why.

About the Position

Open New York is looking for a Social Media & Rapid Response Coordinator who's chronically online, creatively restless, and knows how to make people pay attention. When a rezoning fight breaks out or a bill moves in Albany, this person moves first and hits hard — tweets, threads, comment sections, press releases, talking points, whatever the moment demands. No tactic is off the table. The goal: shape how people encounter housing policy and build the pressure to act on it.

This is, first and foremost, a social and rapid-response role — that’s the heart of the job. You’ll have backup from the Earned Media Manager on press and from the Content and Brand Manager on production, so you can stay focused on what you do best: moving fast and making people pay attention. The role reports to the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy.

It's a great fit for someone early in their career who's already built an audience or gotten attention online in any space—not just politics, advocacy, nonprofits, housing etc.—and wants to apply that instinct to one of the most consequential policy fights in the country.

Responsibilities

The bulk of this role is the first area below — owning ONY’s social voice and rapid response. The rest is lighter, supporting work that rounds out the role, and you won’t be doing it alone.

Social Media Voice, Online Engagement, and Rapid Response

• Develop and maintain a distinctive, engaging voice for ONY across platforms — including X, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, and comment sections — that builds audience and drives conversation.
• Monitor breaking news, policy developments, and legislative action in real time and draft and post rapid, values-aligned commentary across platforms.
• Track and engage in online conversations about housing, land use, and New York politics to advance ONY's presence and perspective.
• Serve as a front-line rapid response operator, ensuring aligned messaging across social and earned media in real time.

Media Monitoring, Tracking, and Reporting

• Compile and distribute daily press clips and trend reports.
• Assist in tracking press coverage, media contacts, and performance metrics across earned and owned channels, and produce regular reports to inform strategy.

Press and Campaign Support

• Support press and campaign logistics — including scheduling, coordination, materials preparation, spokesperson briefing, and media training — as needed.
• Prepare background materials, media lists, and pitch research to support earned media outreach by senior staff.

Cross-Functional Communications Support

• Support the Content and Brand Manager on content production, brand projects, and digital asset creation within established brand guidelines.
• Provide communications support to the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy on priority projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years in communications, digital media, journalism, or a related field in any sector — or an equivalent track record of building an audience and getting attention online
• A track record of building an audience, generating engagement, or getting attention online — whether in politics, media, culture, brand, or any other space
• Fluency with social media platforms — including X, Instagram, Bluesky, and the comment sections where conversations actually happen — with a strong instinct for voice, timing, and engagement
• Strong news judgment and demonstrated ability to monitor and respond to policy, political, or news developments in real time
• Experience with rapid response communications across social media or press channels
• Strong writing and organizational skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate content under a deadline

Got the instinct but not the exact years or titles? Apply anyway. Show us what you’ve made and what it did — a great feed, thread, or campaign tells us more than a resume bullet ever could.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in advocacy, nonprofit, political, or campaign communications
• Experience managing social media accounts on behalf of an organization, campaign, or brand
• A personal social media presence or portfolio that demonstrates voice, range, and creative instinct
• Familiarity with the New York City or New York State political and media landscape
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools, press contact databases, and AI-powered tools for social listening or content drafting
• Experience with data analysis or reporting tools to track and visualize communications performance
• Knowledge of and interest in housing policy
• Proficiency with graphic design tools such as Canva, Figma, or Adobe Creative Suite

Employee Benefits

Open New York offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance with 100% of employee premiums covered on the base plan, plus optional buy-up plans
• Dental, vision, and life insurance provided at no cost to employees who enroll in a medical plan
• 20 days of paid time off (PTO) annually
• 13 paid holidays each year
• 20 days of paid sick leave
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Benefits eligibility beginning on the first day of employment

Additional Information

This is a full time, exempt position, with a salary range of $70,000-$90,000 per year. The position is based in New York City and ONY operates as a hybrid team, with three days per week in our office in Lower Manhattan.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled — we encourage you to apply early.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Open New York is committed to a diverse workforce, and we seek diversity among applicants for this position. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Open New York is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.