CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG): About us

The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) is a good governance think-and-do tank. We are driven by the idea that data-informed approaches can measurably improve the way government and public institutions operate, equitably serve all constituents, and ultimately solve social policy problems. We also provide the knowledge and action needed to fuel those approaches. With the necessary research, policies, partnerships, and infrastructures, we help government and public institutions work more effectively, efficiently, and in the interest of all communities.

Our Goals for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We strive to foster an office environment and an approach to work that welcomes and respects different perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We are working towards our goal of recruiting and retaining staff and board members who are diverse in terms of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic status, disability, and justice system involvement.

Who we are looking for

We are hiring an External Affairs Associate to join CUNY ISLGs growing communications department at either the Associate (4-6 years of relevant experience) or Senior Associate (7+ years of relevant experience) level. This position, which encompasses messaging development, media relations, and digital promotion, will play a critical role in helping the Institute grow its impact by getting its work in the hands of key audiences who need it.

This is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial- and civic-minded professional with experience communicating public policy research and programs to a wide range of audiences. While the substantive duties of this role will entail facilitating the dissemination of project-based reports, briefs, organizational updates, and related materials, the External Affairs Associate will be encouraged to think creatively about how to promote CUNY ISLG and its work to a variety of audiences.

The External Affairs Associate will report to the Communications Project Director (CPD) and will work closely with them as well as other Communications staff, research and policy staff, and colleagues across the organization on a range of tasks. Responsibilities will include:

• Messaging
  • Work with Communications colleagues and project teams to develop key messaging on external-facing publications that reinforce project and organizational priorities.
• External Relations
  • Guide and manage the release planning for CUNY ISLG products, including:
    • Craft talking points aligned with project and organizational messaging.
    • Design outreach plans inclusive of traditional media, new media, events (such as webinars), and government and community partners.
    • Draft press releases.
    • Develop and maintain relationships with relevant outlets, reporters, community partners, and others who can amplify CUNY ISLGs work.
  • Identify and support speaking, writing, and other opportunities (e.g., events, panels, op-eds) to highlight ISLGs staff and impact, and work with staff at all levels to prepare.
• Digital Outreach
  • Manage CUNY ISLGs social media strategies, including developing and posting project-related content, relevant news stories, and other posts promoting CUNY ISLGs projects and messaging to Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook accounts.
    • This may include the creation of graphics (i.e., on Canva) as needed.
  • Monitor and report on analytics data that measures outreach impact.
  • Identify and lead opportunities to improve or refine ISLGs digital footprint as it relates to messaging reach.

This position is hybrid and based in New York City. CUNY ISLG staff work out of the Midtown office two days a week of their choosing, but overlapping at least one in-office day with the CPD.

Qualifications

We would love to hear from you if:

• You have a BA or higher (or equivalent experience) and 4+ years of demonstrated relevant professional experience in policy communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
  • Associate: 4-6 years of relevant experience.
  • Senior Associate: 7+ years of relevant experience.
• You have strong writing skills, including experience drafting press releases and other release-related content.
• You have familiarity with the New York public policy and media landscape and its reporters, outlets, and channels, as well as an understanding of relevant national outlets.
  • Senior Associate: You have demonstrated relationships with and have had placements within releva…