Press Officer

JOB TITLE: Press Officer

DEPARTMENT: External Affairs

REPORTS TO: Director of Public Relations

About The New York Historical

New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the Reiss Family Graduate Institute for Constitutional History, the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better.

Job Summary

The Press Officer plays a vital role in The New York Historical’s External Affairs team, serving as the first point of contact for journalists and coordinating exhibition coverage, interview requests, and other institutional announcements. Working closely with the Director of Public Relations and other members of the External Affairs team, the Press Officer helps develop communication plans for exhibitions, special installations, and other initiatives, working across departments to write and prepare press kits. The position includes pitching, regular media outreach, maintaining press archives and lists, and coordinating and overseeing press visits and filming.

Essential Job Duties

• Field and handle incoming media inquiries, liaising with the Director of PR and/or others when appropriate: exhibition reviews, listings, interview requests, and general historical information media inquiries;
• With the Director of PR, develop and execute promotional campaigns for exhibitions: write and edit press releases and media statements, create press kits (images, captions, credit lines) and handle image clearance process, research and compile additional material for journalists as needed, manage press release distribution, and develop targeted press lists for outreach;
• Pitch journalists for exhibitions, family programs, public programs, and other institutional initiatives;
• Supervise news crews and photo shoots of exhibitions. Ensure the museum is portrayed in the best way possible and enforce safety and permissions protocols;
• Coordinate press previews and logistics. Provide hands-on support as needed at exhibition openings, VIP receptions, fundraising events, community and audience development programs, etc.;
• Monitor communications inbox, respond accordingly to press inquiries, and forward other correspondences to related departments as needed; maintain and update press contacts; monitor and archive media coverage and generate coverage reports.
  
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, History, or other related field;
• 3-5 years’ experience in Communications/Public Relations; background working directly with journalists in the arts and culture field a plus;
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively;
• Excellent organizational skills with superb attention to detail;
• Collaborative team player who also excels at managing and delivering multiple independent projects;
• Interest in American history a plus;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite/Google Workplace;
• Availability to work occasional early morning, evening, and weekend events as needed.
  
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This is largely a sedentary role using a computer; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stoop as necessary. The ability to move through the museum is also required.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is $75,000 - $90,000 per year. The successful candidate will be offered a salary within this range based on specific factors such as their individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

The New York Historical provides a generous benefits package for eligible employees to support their health and wellbeing, which includes:

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal days, and holidays observed by the Museum;
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance;
• Short and long-term disability coverage options;
• 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for employer contributions following one year of full-time service;
• Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses, dependent care, and parking and transit expenses;
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their families;
• 20% discount at the NYHistory Store, Café Clara and Clara restaurant, located within the Museum;
• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions across the city.
  
  
  

The New York Historical is an Equal Opportunity Employer.