Chief Communications Officer

The Legal Aid Society is the nation's largest and oldest public defense and civil legal services provider. It is built on one simple but powerful belief: no New Yorker should be denied the right to equal justice. At The Legal Aid Society, we deliver justice in every borough, working tirelessly to improve our city.

About The Legal Aid Society

For nearly 150 years, The Legal Aid Society has stood as a pillar of justice in New York City, protecting, defending, and advocating for generations of vulnerable New Yorkers. As an integral part of New York's legal, social, and economic fabric, our work spans civil, criminal defense, and juvenile rights matters, all while pushing for lasting legal reform that reflects the needs of our communities. In this way, we don't just respond to injustice, we challenge its roots and fight to dismantle it. We are advocates, community partners, and problem-solvers. In addition to direct client representation, we pursue legal reform that benefits entire communities. Our integrated practice model allows us to draw on cross-disciplinary expertise and respond holistically to the needs of the people we serve.

Like the city we represent, The Legal Aid Society is a diverse law firm. Our staff and attorneys reflect the people we serve, and that lived experience strengthens our advocacy. Whether it's defending members of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and abuse, standing up for the financial rights of working New Yorkers, protecting immigrants, advocating for racial justice, or representing children in family court, our teams show up every day with the same goal: justice for all. We are embedded in every borough and deeply committed to being present where needed.

Our fight is daily. It's in the courtroom, streets, and every neighborhood. The Legal Aid Society is where law meets passion, and a force for a more just and equitable New York.

You can learn more about our work here.

About the Position

What You'll Do

As the Legal Aid Society continues to confront widening inequality, an evolving media landscape, and shifting public narratives around justice, our need for a strong, unifying communications voice has never been more urgent. This is why we seek a strategic, collaborative, and politically savvy Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to lead our communications efforts at a critical time for the organization and the people we serve.

The CCO will be charged with shaping and executing a forward-thinking communications strategy that elevates our public presence, deepens the understanding of our impact, and supports our mission across our practice areas. The CCO will oversee all facets of communications, including media relations, digital content, and brand management, ensuring alignment with our organizational values and goals. They will work closely with coalition partners to amplify collective efforts and partner with key organizational leaders to craft compelling messaging for supporters. Lastly, in partnership with HR, the CCO will collaborate on Legal Aid's internal communications strategies to best support and engage staff.

As a key senior leadership team member, the CCO will contribute to organizational strategy and culture, including planning The Legal Aid Society's 150th anniversary in 2026, a significant milestone and an opportunity to deepen public engagement with our legacy and future vision.

This is an ideal opportunity for a bold storyteller who sees communications as a tool for both cultural and systemic transformation and who can build organizational bridges across silos and thrives on complexity.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Strategy

• Drive cultural and operational change in how communications are perceived and used internally—as a mission-critical, shared function
• Shape a communications strategy that reflects the full spectrum of Legal Aid's work—from direct services to systemic advocacy— and the variety of audiences it serves ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with core values
• Develop and implement an integrated, multi-channel communications strategy that advances Legal Aid's mission, elevates brand awareness, and amplifies the voices of the clients and communities we serve
• Lead the development of a robust digital presence and public engagement strategy that drives reach, engagement, and impact across platforms
• Act as Legal Aid's senior-most media strategist
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, media outlets, influencers, and public figures to elevate Legal Aid's visibility and oversee proactive and reactive press strategies that shape narratives, shift public perception, and support policy advocacy

Organizational Leadership

• Model inclusive, mission-driven leadership, contributing to a culture of racial equity, transparency, and collaboration
• Actively contribute to Legal Aid's senior leadership team, supporting organization-wide planning, decision-making, and internal alignment and serving as the organization's foremost communications expert and advisor
• Lead the integration of communications efforts across the organization, breaking down silos and encouraging shared ownership of storytelling and messaging
• In partnership with Human Resources and the Internal Communications Team, champion internal communications ensuring staff are informed, connected, and engaged in the mission
• Support cross-organizational initiatives as assigned, participating in broader efforts to strengthen Legal Aid's infrastructure and strategic capacity

Team Management and Development

• Lead, inspire, and support a diverse communications team across functions including media, digital, and content strategy
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team culture that values creativity, trust, and accountability
• Define clear goals, workflows, and priorities, balancing strategic vision with day-to-day execution
• Oversee hiring, staffing changes, and team structure to ensure appropriate capacity and alignment with organizational needs
• Provide regular feedback, professional development opportunities, and mentorship to staff at all levels

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to the Attorney-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer, Twyla Carter.
• You will manage a team of 7, including Director of Digital Engagement, Content Production Manager, Director of Media Relations, Communications Manager, Social Media Manager, Web Manager, and Communications Coordinator.
• You will frequently collaborate with the broader leadership team and department heads.

Required Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• 10+ years of senior-level communications leadership in a complex nonprofit, advocacy, government, or mission-driven agency setting; experience navigating legal or policy-adjacent environments preferred (e.g., civil rights, social justice, public interest law)
• Proven success leading strategic communications, media relations, and marketing efforts that elevate an organization's mission and expand its reach across diverse stakeholders and audiences
• Expertise in digital communications, including website oversight, social media strategy, audience segmentation, and multimedia content creation
• Demonstrated political savvy—both in external relations (e.g., media, government, public campaigns) and internal dynamics (e.g., managing up, across departments)
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to work play well with others and influence cross-functional teams, leadership, and partners
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex or sensitive topics into compelling, accessible messages
• A calm, flexible, and decisive leader who is comfortable making fast, sound decisions in high-pressure or crisis situations while maintaining a steady focus on long-term strategy

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $200,000-$220,000, with the final salary determined based on years of experience and alignment with the required skills and competencies for the CCO role.

Benefits

• Robust medical coverage that includes a 100% subsidized plan option
• Vision and dental health benefits provided at no premium cost to employees
• 20 days of annual leave, 14 paid holidays, 5 personal days, as well as sick, safe, and bereavement leave
• Up to 14 weeks of paid family leave in accordance with New York State law
• Legal Aid offers pension and retirement benefits
• Legal Aid is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Additional benefits include: mental health support, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and workers' compensation insurance
• Optional elective benefits include flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance, commuter programs, and a fertility/adoption/surrogacy reimbursement program

Application Instructions

Qualified individuals, please apply: https://www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3411