DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR PRESS & PUBLIC INFORMATION
About The Position
The Deputy Commissioner of Public Information & Media Relations serves as the Chief Press Officer, Brand Architect, and strategist for the agency’s public narrative. The role bridges traditional press operations with digital communications and directs public-facing media relations, proactive storytelling, and digital marketing strategy across the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Human Resources Administration (HRA), and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The selected candidate manages the agency’s daily interface with the press, drives coverage across print, broadcast, and digital outlets, and oversees its digital ecosystem. The position requires strategic leadership across news cycles, crisis response, and brand management. Reporting within executive leadership, the Deputy Commissioner oversees the Office of Press and Public Information and serves as primary editorial and creative director for public-facing materials. The role directs rapid-response press operations, establishes high-stakes communications protocols, advises the Commissioner and executive leadership during crises, and ensures press disclosures are accurate, legally compliant, and aligned with broader policy goals. Responsibilities also include overseeing media relations, digital content and compliance, agency branding and marketing campaigns, internal communications, and performance measurement.
Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and five years of full-time, progressively responsible experience in public relations, journalism, promotion, advertising, or a related communications field; or equivalent education and/or experience.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the administration and operation of the Office of Press and Public Information.
- Serve as primary editorial and creative director for all public-facing materials.
- Direct rapid-response press operations, establish high-stakes communication protocols, and advise the Commissioner and executive leadership during crises.
- Ensure press disclosures are accurate, legally compliant, and aligned with broader policy goals.
- Oversee media relations, including press releases, media advisories, briefings, interview preparation, and rapid response.
- Provide executive leadership and performance management for a multidisciplinary communications team, including the Press Secretary, graphic designers, editorial writers, and multimedia content creators.
- Set performance benchmarks, conduct regular evaluations, and foster a high-performing communications team.
- Direct digital content teams to deliver accessible digital experiences and optimize audience acquisition and engagement.
- Monitor audience sentiment trends and use predictive analytics to guide communications adjustments and brand reputation management.
- Establish digital-content compliance guardrails, including inclusive-design standards such as captions and alt text, and secure data-privacy practices.
- Lead agency branding and marketing campaigns and develop internal communications channels that clarify complex programs.
- Oversee campaigns to increase awareness and uptake of services, partnering with program leads to target priority audiences and create client and public messaging.
- Establish enterprise-level KPIs and performance benchmarks for media reach, digital traffic, audience sentiment, and operational outcomes.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
