Careers

Advocacy and Public Strategies Manager

Summary of Position

The Municipal Art Society (MAS) seeks a full-time Advocacy and Public Strategies Manager to help advance MAS’s vision for New York City through relationship-building and strategic advocacy campaign development. The position provides key staff support to the organization in legislative and regulatory advocacy, and partner engagement in the areas of public policy development. They will also work with external stakeholders, such as legislators and political leadership throughout New York City, including experts and researchers. The successful candidate will effectively demonstrate a broad understanding of current New York City planning, land use issues, and preservation policies combined with strong writing, presentation, and communication skills. The ideal candidate will be passionate, strategic, engaged, team-oriented, and adept at communicating to diverse audiences.

Position Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Vice President of Policy & Planning, and in coordination with the planning team, the Advocacy and Public Strategies Manager will:

• Develop and carry out strategies to support the MAS policy agenda;
• Advocate for the adoption or passage of critical legislation, city ordinances, zoning amendments, and government regulations, promoting land use and historic preservation-related decisions that benefit NYC communities;
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials and City agencies, identifying opportunities for partnership;
• Represent MAS in coalitions and alliances, building relationships with community groups and other non-profits to identify partnerships that advance the mission of MAS;
• Stay informed of legislation and external projects in the pipeline, outlining possible future MAS actions and testimony;
• Analyze legislative and policy proposals to determine their impact on communities and the city;
• Work with communications staff to present advocacy issues to media and public audiences, including through press releases, the MAS website, newsletter, and social media;
• Work with Planning and Programs staff to develop advocacy agendas and statements, and ideas for events related to advocacy campaigns; and
• Attend evening and weekend meetings and events on occasion.

Qualifications

This is a list of desired qualifications and does not represent firm requirements. Applicants who do not meet all of these qualifications may be considered.

• Graduate degree in public policy, public administration, political affairs, urban planning, or related field strongly preferred, although a bachelor’s degree combined with equivalent related work experience may substitute;
• Experience analyzing complex legislation and government policies;
• Experience designing and implementing issue-based advocacy campaigns;
• Knowledge of New York City and New York State governmental structures, legislative and budgeting processes, elected officials, and NYC city agencies;
• Understanding of current issues in city planning, urban design, and historic preservation;
• Excellent strategic judgment and the energy and drive to develop and effectuate challenging campaigns;
• Exceptional interpersonal communication and social skills, ability to connect authentically with diverse groups of people, speak directly and diplomatically, build coalitions and working relationships with colleagues, community groups and policymakers;
• Strong external communication skills, public speaking, and preparing/supporting others to do so;
• A collaborative team player, organized, detail-oriented and accurate, responsible, flexible, and able to handle multiple simultaneous and shifting projects and priorities; and
• Dedication to the MAS mission and ideals of a more equitable, resilient, economically, and culturally vibrant New York City.

About the Municipal Art Society

The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) lifts up the voices of the people in the debates that shape New York’s built environment and leads the way toward a more livable city from sidewalk to skyline. MAS envisions a future in which all New Yorkers share in the richness of city life–where growth is balanced, character endures, and a resilient future is secured.

Work Culture and Employment Goals

Our staff includes planners, design experts, historians, civic leaders, community builders and advocates who love New York City. We work collaboratively across departments and with a wide variety of partners from across the boroughs. We hope you or someone you know can join us in our work!

The Municipal Art Society of New York is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. MAS is committed to cultivating a staff with diverse backgrounds and life experiences that is representative of the communities in which we live and work.

MAS is currently operating on a hybrid schedule of two days in, three days out schedule, which is subject to change. Proof of COVID vaccination is required.

How to Apply

Applications should be sent via email to jobs@mas.org. Please include “Advocacy and Public Strategies Manager” in the subject line of your email message and attach a resume and cover letter describing your qualifications, interests, and potential impact in the role. Address all correspondence to: Search Committee, Advocacy and Public Strategies Manager. No phone calls please. Please apply by Monday, June 5 end of business day.

Salary

$87,210 plus a generous benefits package

Salaries at the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) are set based on job-related duties, responsibilities and required knowledge, skills and abilities, not on the personal characteristics of any employees. Each job is evaluated and classified based on a combination of (1) its relative internal positioning as systematically compared to other jobs, and (2) the applicable competitive labor market range. The resulting classification for each job guides all base pay decisions in a way that results in competitive, equitable, cost-effective, legally compliant, and motivational salaries for all MAS employees.