Strategic Communications Consultant

New York Foundation 

Position Description 

Job Title: Strategic Communications Consultant  

Reports to: Communications Manager 

Status: Independent Contractor 

ABOUT THE NEW YORK FOUNDATION 

The New York Foundation is a steadfast supporter of community organizing, grassroots advocacy, and movement-building. We believe that the resilience and vitality of New Yorkers is the city’s greatest resource, and we value the courage and experience of community groups and their leaders. In the ongoing struggle for racial, economic, gender, and climate justice, the Foundation supports grassroots initiatives that build power to confront systemic barriers and inspire people to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive city. 

JOB OVERVIEW 

The strategic communications consultant collaborates with and supports the Communications Manager throughout 2026 on independent projects, real-time workflow collaboration, media assistance and coaching, research, and other internal and external communications projects that emerge throughout the year. 

This position prohibits the usage of generative artificial intelligence and all work must be completed without AI tools.  

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Include but are not limited to:  

Strategic Collaboration 

• Weekly hour-long check-ins with Communications Manager 

• In-meeting partnership with Communications Manager on weekly workflow 

• Coaching Communications Manager on engaging with and pitching to philanthropic media 

• • Outlets such as Chronicle of Philanthropy, Inside Philanthropy, Impact Alpha, and Philanthropy New York 

• Collaboration on messaging strategy through social media, newsletters, and network organizing 

• • External priorities for pitches and messaging include trust-based philanthropic practices, funding grassroots organizing, the New York City and State funding landscape, catalytic investment opportunities, co-filing shareholder proposals, and establishing a strategic reserve fund 

Project: Messaging Guide 

• With guidance and feedback from the Communications Manager, develop a comprehensive staff tool encompassing messaging priorities, tone, and guidance for each area of the foundation’s work 

• Include “elevator pitches” for each work area 

• Match the current tone, approach, and personality of the foundation 

• Facilitate a staff-wide training on using the guide 

Other Projects as necessary  

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

Preferred skills and experience include: 

• 5 years minimum experience in a philanthropic or nonprofit communications role 

• Collaborating with team members through support and peer exchange of learning and ideas  

• Engaging philanthropic audiences on multiple platforms, including newsletters, LinkedIn, news publications, and virtual and real-time presentation  

• Pitching to media outlets, initiating and maintaining relationships with journalists
• Familiarity with mission-aligned investment and shareholder engagement 
  

• Drafting internal communications guidance and policies, for example messaging guides, AI policies, and document retention policies 
• Researching

• Ability to problem-solve, plan, and prioritize tasks 

• Ability to combine assisting and skill-sharing during projects 

• Strong written and oral communication skills  

Other preferred qualities include: 

• A clear commitment to the mission and values of the New York Foundation, particularly an understanding of community organizing for racial, economic, gender, and climate justice 

• Positivity, ability to motivate others, and affirming

• Sense of humor and camaraderie 

• Empathy, humility, and a respect for divergent points of view and approaches 

• Adaptability 

COMPENSATION 

This position will be contracted. The compensation range is $20,000 to $30,000 depending on experience, for an estimate of 100 hours of work to be completed in 2026.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please use the New York Foundation BambooHR system to submit your application. Make sure to include the following materials:

• A cover letter briefly outlining the projects that make you eligible for this scope of work 

• A resume that includes references and past clients 

• Examples of relevant past work: 

• • A messaging guide you have created for another client 

• • Published articles you pitched 

• • Newsletters/socials/writing samples that demonstrate deployment of a comms strategy 

• • A LinkedIn presence you have strategically curated 

Applications received by January 16th, 2026 will receive priority review. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.   

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 

The New York Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV serostatus, socio-economic status, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws.  

Cultivating a team that reflects the diverse experiences New York City communities is essential to building a strong team to advance our mission. We strongly encourage submissions from qualified applicants who are people of color; immigrants; people with disabilities; LGBTQ people; transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people; and formerly incarcerated people.