Communications Manager

Description

Communications Manager

Organization Information 

GrowNYC is a 56-year-old environmental nonprofit organization helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a livable city, one where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. GrowNYC Programs include: 

• Our network of Greenmarkets and the work of GrowNYC Wholesale ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food. 
• We build and support community and school gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, training, grants and more. 
• We provide 70,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment. 

Communications Manager: Full-time: 

Position Summary

The Communications Manager plays a key leadership role in developing and executing GrowNYC’s communications strategy. This position ensures consistent messaging, strengthens the organization's brand, manages media relations, enhances internal communication efforts, and supports fundraising initiatives. This role will oversee a growing team to amplify GrowNYC’s mission, programs, and impact. They collaborate closely with leadership, program teams, and external partners to ensure that communications align with organizational goals while engaging key stakeholders, including staff, donors, policymakers, and the public.

Requirements

Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to):

Strategic Communications & Brand Management 

• Oversee the implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with GrowNYC’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Maintain and steward GrowNYC’s brand, ensuring consistent messaging and visual identity across all platforms and materials.
• Provide communications direction and guidance that strengthens external engagement and organizational positioning.

Media Relations & Public Engagement 

• Serve as a key spokesperson for GrowNYC in media and public-facing contexts, including press engagements, interviews, panels, and speaking opportunities.
• Proactively expand GrowNYC’s media relationships to secure increased and strategic press coverage at local, regional, and national levels.
• Develop press materials, including press releases, media advisories, and talking points.
• Manage media inquiries and prepare leadership and staff for public engagements with effective media training and message development.
• Lead the creation of a formal GrowNYC Spokesperson Cohort: identify and train a group of internal staff to speak on behalf of the organization.
• Develop and facilitate internal media training to ensure confident, consistent, and mission-aligned public representation.
• Collaborate with external PR consultants and partners to maximize visibility and thought leadership opportunities.

Team Leadership & Development 

• Supervise and mentor the Social Media Lead, fostering professional growth, providing sound guidance,  accountability, while ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals.
• Support the Social Media Lead in developing and testing early-stage partnerships with values-aligned influencers and digital collaborators, helping to assess potential for long-term engagement strategies.
• Partner with the Assistant Director of Advancement and Director of Advancement to define future hiring priorities that expand the communications team’s capacity in line with programmatic and fundraising needs.
• Explore and manage opportunities to expand team capacity through interns, fellows, etc, including oversight of onboarding, training, and mentorship.

Internal Communications 

• Support Human Resources and Operations in maintaining and improving internal communication channels, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and culture.
• Provide feedback to enhance internal communication efforts, including staff newsletters, town hall messaging, and key organizational updates.
• Support leadership in refining messaging that fosters staff engagement, transparency, and positive morale.
• Chair the Internal Communications Task force

Fundraising & Stakeholder Communications 

• Collaborate with the Advancement Team to develop compelling donor-facing materials, including newsletters, board updates, campaign messaging, case statements, and impact reports.
• Develop and execute programmatic communication plans for key fundraising initiatives and major announcements.
• Strengthen stakeholder relationships through strategic storytelling and engagement.

Digital & Content Strategy 

• Provide strategic oversight and editorial leadership for GrowNYC’s website content to ensure messaging aligns with organizational goals and resonates with target audiences.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to guide timely and effective updates, while not managing the technical aspects of site administration.
• Support the Social Media Lead and program teams in creating engaging multimedia content.
• Work with appropriate staff including IT to improve GrowNYC’s SEO, analyze digital engagement metrics to inform content strategy and improve communications outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or marketing, preferably in the nonprofit or mission-driven sector.
• Proven leadership experience, including team management and mentorship.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to align communications with organizational goals.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience with media relations and crisis communications.
• Familiarity with digital marketing, email campaigns, and content management systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and authentic representation in all communications.

Ideal Qualifications

• Experience working in an environmental or food justice nonprofit.
• Knowledge of New York City’s nonprofit, advocacy, and media landscapes.
• Graphic design, video production, or digital storytelling experience.
• Familiarity with donor communications and fundraising campaign messaging.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Occasional evening and weekend work required for events and media opportunities.
• Ability to travel locally for press conferences, stakeholder meetings, and community events.

Schedule

This role is full-time, 35-40 hour work week with flexibility based on events and media needs. Three (3) in-office days are required; office presence is mandatory on Wednesdays for all staff.

Compensation

The position is an exempt and full-time salaried role. It pays $85,000 - $95,000 per year and includes full benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, incentive savings plan, paid time off, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and potential for parental leave for full-time regular employees who have been employed with GrowNYC for 175 days and FSA programs). This position is a non-union-eligible/not part of the bargaining unit. 

Location

Downtown Manhattan and travel within the five boroughs as needed. 

Applications

Qualified candidates for the Communications Manager position should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of employment applications received, GrowNYC is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate. No phone calls or recruiters or recruiting agencies, please. 

Application deadline is September 12th, 2026

Contact

GrowNYC 

P.O. Box 2327

New York, NY 10272

212-788-7900

For additional information, please see our website: grownyc.org 

**Upon tender of offer, GrowNYC expects that the candidate will be available to start the role within a maximum of 21 days.**

GrowNYC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and hires without regard to race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.