Communications Associate

 

Organization

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (“Helmsley”) is a global philanthropy driven by a vision of building better futures for people by increasing access to healthcare, advancing new research and ideas, and improving the quality of everyday life. Helmsley strives to make a meaningful impact in its focus areas, matching its significant financial assets with a rigorous and results-oriented approach. Helmsley is committed to close and productive partnerships with its grantees, as well as with other funders and impact players in government, academia, and the private sector who share its interests and goals. Above all, Helmsley endeavors to be forward-thinking in every aspect of its work and will take risks that others cannot or will not take when the risk/reward trade-off warrants.

Since 2008, when Helmsley began its active grantmaking, it has committed more than $4.5 billion. For more information on Helmsley, please visit https://helmsleytrust.org/.

 

Position Summary

Communications Associates play a key role in helping to advance the foundation’s work and leadership, and must bring proven abilities to work across various fields and think strategically about a wide range of program and communications issues.

This role will report to the Communications Officer supporting four of Helmsley’s place-based programs, including Rural Healthcare, New York City, Israel, and Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa.  The position requires a proactive, strategic, and detail-oriented team player with excellent writing skills and a client service mindset. We seek a results-focused individual with the confidence, curiosity, and humility to ask questions, seek clarity when necessary, and share ideas.

The Communications Associate is primarily engaged in the day-to-day operations of Helmsley’s communications function, which includes media relations, creating content for the website, publications, and social media channels, and responding to press and grantee requests.    

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the communications needs of Helmsley’s grantmaking programs.
• Monitor major developments in each program’s sector to help ensure Helmsley is appropriately active and represented.
• Help develop and execute program-specific communications strategies, tactics, and campaigns.
• Draft and edit press releases, pitches, talking points, media briefings, case studies and narrative stories.
• Maintain media lists, identify relevant media opportunities, coordinate interviews, manage inquiries.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters to secure coverage of program initiatives.
• Help plan and execute press conferences, launches, and other events.
• Manage effective media monitoring and reporting processes.
• Help source, license, and manage photos and videos.
• Help create and manage content on Helmsley’s website.
• Provide general marketing support and occasional support for internal communications programming.
• Collaborate across teams at Helmsley and partner organizations from each program area.

 

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or related subject preferred.
• Minimum three years of experience in a communications/PR/writing role.
• Passion for mission driven work.
• Agency experience is a plus.
• Exceptional writing, grammar, proofreading, and editing skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders while considering cultural nuances and preferences, including partner organizations and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Proven track record of delivering earned media results.
• Familiarity with digital communications tools, platforms, and content management systems.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and strong work ethic.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously while delivering high-quality results.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable when priorities shift.

 

Salary, Health, Well-being, and Living Our Mission

Helmsley is dedicated to creating stronger, healthier futures for communities in the U.S. and around the world. Our staff are subject matter experts from a range of backgrounds in basic science, global health, and precision medicine, as well as the private sector and public policy.

Helmsley colleagues are intelligent, creative, forward-thinking, and strongly committed to working productively with our grantee partners. Each was drawn to Helmsley by the same opportunity: to help build this young organization into a leading global charitable institution that will drive meaningful and measurable positive change in lives throughout the U.S. and around the world for years to come.

Helmsley is committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation commensurate with experience. The targeted starting salary range for this position is $91,000 - $97,000.

Comprehensive benefits currently offered to employees (subject to change) include:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families
• Generous 401(k) employer contribution
• Hybrid work schedule (up to two remote days a week)
• 23+ paid vacation and sick days
• 13+ paid holidays
• End of year office closure
• Summer Fridays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Personal and team professional development opportunities

 

Application Information

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume (in Word or PDF format), to the posting listed on the Helmsley Career Page. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact HR@helmsleytrust.org.

The position is based at Helmsley’s main office in New York City. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

All persons hired must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Helmsley will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Except when working remotely as permitted by Helmsley’s temporary hybrid work policy, the ability to work and collaborate in person with colleagues at Helmsley’s office is an essential function of this job.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Helmsley provides equal employment and promotional opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.