Director of Content and Copy, Bureau of Communications

The Office of External Affairs manages many of the agency's most critical interactions with the public, from raising awareness and promoting healthy behaviors to advancing policies and responding to health emergencies. The Bureau of Communications, housed within the Office of External Affairs, develops culturally responsive public health marketing campaigns; generates and crafts materials to inform New Yorkers of health information and program services, ensuring accessibility for all; provides access to translation services for collateral materials and clinics; maintains the agency's website; and publishes content on the agency's social media platforms. Within Creative Communications, the Content group oversees the writing, editing, and creation of content to inform New Yorkers of key health topics and emergency situations.

We are seeking to hire a Director of Content and Copy. Reporting to the Executive Director of Creative Communications, the Director of Content and Copy is responsible for the creation and development of program-specific and/or Health Department-wide written communications projects, in collaboration with the larger Creative Communications team. The Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the Content team, workflow, and management of staff.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Oversee and approve content on all editorial projects and requests, including Health Department reports, brochures, and other communications collateral. Monitors project deliverables and timelines and takes corrective action, as needed.
Advance the Health Department's mission and strategic plan by generating relevant, accessible, and high-quality written content. Demonstrates strategic thinking and planning in the creation and proofing of all Health Department written content, ensuring that tone and language are accessible, straightforward, and consistent across mediums.
Lead the Content group, a team of five staff members, including writers, editors, and interns. Directly supervise one managing editor and one copyeditor.
- Provide strategic guidance, creative direction, and hands-on support to team members in execution of assigned projects.
- As a supervisor, the Director will foster productivity and accountability, support professional development, encourage teamwork, and lead the group's collaboration with colleagues in other divisions and bureaus across the agency.
- Select and manage activities of contracted vendors and consultants to procure writing and copyediting services as needed and ensure that appropriate contracts are in place.
- Coordinate and collaborate with other members of the Creative Communications team (Health Media and Marketing, Digital Communications, Language Services, Design, and Project Management) as projects call for interaction and support.
- Work closely with the Digital Communications team to develop and maintain content for the Health Department's website.
- Work closely with the Language Services Director to ensure all written materials are appropriately and strategically accessible in other languages.
- Liaise with Health Department divisions and bureaus and effectively fosters relationships throughout the Health Department community with a diverse range of stakeholders to improve collaboration.
- Function effectively within Creative Communications leadership team as a senior editorial, writing, and content strategy resource, demonstrating leadership and sharing experience.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Demonstrate knowledge of writing, copyediting, storytelling, and strategic, creative, and critical thinking. Clear and exceptional oral and written communication skills.

- Ability to communicate complex messages clearly and simply to highly diverse New York City audiences.

- Self-motivated with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, tasks, and timelines.

- Demonstrate a professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with colleagues, direct reports, leadership, and stakeholders.

- Ability to supervise, delegate, and provide consultation and technical assistance to individual program components on media communications.

- Leadership abilities in developing and motivating professional staff, including developing in-service training and resources to enhance performance and growth.

- Capacity to identify new strategies to meet the agency's overall mission and communications mission.


Why you should work for us:

- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

1. High school graduation or equivalent and two years of training in an approved technical school in oils, water colors, painting, design, black and white, layout and other art media and seven years full-time paid experience as a commercial artist, four years of which must have been in supervision and planning of art work done by a staff; or

2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1". However, all candidates must have the four years of supervisory experience as described above

The City of New York 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.