Director of Mental Hygiene Communications, Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner

City of New York • New York, NY

15d • $109,565 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Mental Hygiene is seeking a strategic, equity-driven communications leader to serve as Director of Communications within the Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner. The position shapes how New Yorkers understand and access behavioral health services through public messaging, media engagement, and community-centered communication strategies.

The Director identifies communications priorities through community engagement, stakeholder listening, and analysis of public information needs; researches emerging trends and gaps; and leads rapid-response communications for public health events, behavioral health crises, and policy developments. The role ensures communications are accessible, culturally responsive, and available in languages reflecting New York City’s communities. It also designs research to evaluate communications effectiveness, supervises and mentors the Division’s Communications Officer, collaborates with partners to apply research findings, and supports other communications and research projects as directed by agency or bureau leadership.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in an appropriate field of specialization is required under the City Research Scientist qualifications.
• For City Research Scientist Assignment Level II and above, qualifying candidates must meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: a doctorate plus one year of responsible supervisory, administrative, or research experience; a master’s degree plus three years of responsible full-time research experience; or equivalent education and experience, with at least a master’s degree and at least two years of the specified experience.
• Appointments are subject to a minimum one-year probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in public health or behavioral health contexts.
• Experience in media relations, digital communications, and developing public-facing messaging campaigns or materials.
• Ability to produce high-quality written work under deadline, including press statements, talking points, social media content, toolkits, and executive communications.
• Experience working in or with government agencies or large mission-driven organizations.
• Multilingual ability.
• Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify divisional communications priorities through community engagement, stakeholder listening, and analysis of the public’s behavioral health information needs.
• Research and analyze emerging trends, gaps, and opportunities in behavioral health communications to develop data-driven, evidence-based strategies.
• Lead rapid-response communications during public health events, behavioral health crises, and policy developments requiring timely, accurate, accessible public messaging.
• Ensure communications are accessible, culturally responsive, and available in languages reflecting the diversity of New York City communities, in partnership with relevant agency offices.
• Design and implement research initiatives, including community surveys, focus groups, and data analysis, to evaluate communications effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
• Directly supervise and mentor the Division’s Communications Officer, supporting professional development and high-quality communications work products.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to incorporate research findings into communications planning and decisions.
• Support additional communications and research projects identified by agency or bureau leadership.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for federal or state student loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs.
• Premium-free health insurance plan.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union or benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan.
• Tax-deferred savings program.
• Worksite Wellness Program.
• Depending on the position, the option to work from home up to two days during the week.
• Job security compared with private-sector employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director