Project for Public Spaces is seeking a Director of Communications & Marketing to join its team. The nonprofit organization has a $3 million annual budget with revenue generated from corporate sponsors, fee-for-service project work, events, publications, and philanthropic support. Project for Public Spaces will be celebrating its 50 anniversary in 2025.

The ideal candidate has significant experience in communications and marketing, preferably for a non-profit organization. They should have a strong interest in public spaces and the issues that intersect with them, including public health, economic opportunity, food access, architecture, and city policy and planning. The candidate will have excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative and proactive approach to their work. Only candidates with experience in communications strategy, campaign development, and media relations will be considered.

This is a full-time remote position but applicants must reside in New York City or within a two-hour commute. The position will report to Co-Executive Director Nate Storring.

Primary Responsibilities

• Communications:
• Collaborate with organizational leadership, development, events, and program teams to devise and implement communications plans that help achieve our mission
• Actively participate in the planning and execution of the 50th anniversary campaign
• Produce and/or solicit compelling thought leadership for the Project for Public Spaces blog
• Provide writing, editing, and communications planning support to program staff as needed, such as for event promotion, project communications, and educational products
• PR and Media Relations:
• Initiate and cultivate relationships with prominent writers, journalists, and editors to focus public attention on the work and mission
• Pitch and potentially write articles for relevant media outlets that expand the audience for our mission, work, and thought leadership
• Pitch program staff for inclusion in articles, podcasts, webinars, etc. about relevant topics
• Marketing:
• Lead organization-wide and program-specific marketing strategy
• Develop marketing materials that inspire prospective partners, clients, and sponsors by showcasing our mission, impact, and staff
• Manage, produce, and evaluate the performance of social media content across multiple platforms, staying up to date with changing social media technologies
• Plan and execute two biweekly newsletters to drive event attendance and user engagement
• Develop creative initiatives and campaigns to reach new audiences and engage existing followers
• Staff and Team Activities:
• Lead the growth of the communications department over the next several years
• Maintain a weekly schedule of team meetings and one-on-one check-ins with manager, as well as participate in bi-weekly full staff meetings
• Participate in an annual review process and quarterly goal check-ins
• Attend and document the annual conference as appropriate
• Identify, recruit, and manage freelance and guest content producers to accomplish the above tasks, as needed

Qualifications and Skills

• At least seven years of professional experience in strategizing and implementing communications and marketing campaigns, preferably in the nonprofit or social enterprise sectors
• Passion and a proven track record for working with organizational leadership as well as across departments to develop a communications strategy that helps achieve organizational mission and goals
• Outstanding writing, editing, and communications skills across a variety of styles and formats (e.g. blog post, op-eds, case studies, reports, proposals)
• Capacity to produce compelling content quickly and consistently while managing multiple deadlines
• Relationships and experience working with media contacts and influencers to secure earned media coverage
• Comfort writing about topics like public space, placemaking, public markets, and urban inequality
• Experience evaluating user behavior to enhance audience reach and engagement on social media, websites, and newsletters
• Familiarity with online content management systems, social media management platforms, and using Adobe InDesign to edit designed documents
• Proficiency in general computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and project management software
• Ability to work independently in a remote office setting while prioritizing workflow to meet deadlines and paying close attention to detail
• Ability to maintain positive and collaborative relationships with outside vendors and internal staff and work with people from diverse backgrounds

About Project for Public Spaces

Project for Public Spaces is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build strong communities. We are the central hub of the global placemaking movement, connecting people to ideas, resources, expertise, and partners who see place as the key to addressing our greatest challenges.

Project for Public Spaces is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identification, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or veteran status. We believe in creating a workplace based on equal opportunity, and in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, we strive to:

• Hire staff that reflect this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual, and socioeconomic identities;
• Create a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• Ensure that all members of the Project for Public Spaces community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• Remain committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt salaried position with a benefits package that includes health insurance, a vacation policy, paid sick days, a 401k, and 11 paid holidays. PPS also offers a work-from-home stipend and a professional development stipend. The salary is $93,000.

The Project for Public Spaces team works primarily in a remote office environment and meets in-person in New York City once a quarter. Standard working hours are 9:30am - 5:30pm Eastern Monday–Friday.

Application Instructions

To apply, please prepare a cover letter and resume (PDF), and submit via the link on our website. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. For qualified candidates, the interview process will include a screening call, and then two video call interviews. The ideal candidate will be able to join the team in Baltimore for the 4th International Placemaking Week, June 4 - 8.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $93,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Work from home stipend

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brooklyn, NY 11217