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

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

13d • 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 role 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 behavioral health communications trends and opportunities; and leads rapid-response messaging during public health events, behavioral health crises, or policy developments. The role ensures communications are accessible, culturally responsive, and available in languages reflecting New York City communities, and evaluates communication strategies through research such as surveys, focus groups, and data analysis.

The Director supervises and mentors the Division’s Communications Officer, collaborates with internal and external partners to incorporate research into communications planning, and supports additional communications and research projects identified by agency or bureau leadership.

Requirements

• For Assignment Level I, a master’s degree from an accredited college or university specializing in an appropriate field of physical, biological, or environmental science, or public health.
• For Assignment Level II and above, qualification through one of the listed doctorate, master’s, or equivalent education and experience pathways; all candidates must have at least a master’s degree in an appropriate specialization and at least two years of qualifying research 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 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 public 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, or policy developments.
• Ensure communications are accessible, culturally responsive, and available in languages that reflect the diversity of New York City communities, in partnership with relevant agency offices.
• Design and implement research to evaluate communications strategies, including community surveys, focus groups, and data analysis.
• Supervise and mentor the Division’s Communications Officer, supporting professional development and high-quality communications work products.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to integrate research findings into communications planning and decision-making.
• Support additional communications and research projects identified by agency or bureau leadership.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for federal or state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs.
• Premium-free health insurance plan; the posting says this saves employees over $10,000 annually, based on a 2024 assessment.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available depending 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 ability to work from home up to two days during the week.
• Potentially greater job security compared with private-sector employment.

What This Job Offers

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