Job Description

Description

About NYRR 

New York Road Runners (NYRR) was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people and has grown from a local running club into the world’s premier community running organization.NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire through running, aiming to empower people of all ages and abilities to improve their health and well-being through the power of running and fitness.

 

NYRR’s year-round offerings of races, community events, programs, and training resources provide hundreds of thousands of people with the motivation, know-how, and opportunities to start running and keep running for life. NYRR’s premier event, the famed TCS New York City Marathon, attracts the world’s top professional runners and committed amateurs alike, while also raising millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for New York City.NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow, passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire children in underserved communities in New York City, nationwide, and around the world.

 

Headquartered in New York City, NYRR is a 501(c)(3) organization.To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org.

 

At New York Road Runners, we are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace by finding the best candidate for the job. We understand that skills come from a variety of different backgrounds. Checking off every single requirement on our job description is not necessary to apply. If you think you are a good fit and have a passion for the work we do, please submit your application. We are eager to learn about your experience and skills! You may be the right candidate for this or other open positions.

 

New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

 

About the Department 

The Community Engagement & Government Affairs team is part of New York Road Runners’ Public Affairs department—which also includes Public Relations and Community Impact. Government Affairs & Community Engagement manages NYRR's relationships with local, state and federal elected officials, and governmental agencies. The team is also responsible to foster and manage relationships with community stakeholders, community organizations and leaders, from our runners and clubs to like-minded organizations to increase NYRR event and program awareness / visibility. Internally, Public Affairs serves as a centralized bridge and internal partner for the organization and governmental and community partners. 

 

About the Position

New York Road Runners is seeking a passionate Director, Government Affairs and Community Engagement to support the advancement of the nonprofit’s brand, its impact work and more than 60 adult and youth events, and organizational announcements/initiatives every year, including NYRR’s signature events including the TCS New York City Marathon, the United Airlines New York City Half and the RBC Brooklyn Half. This role reports directly to the Head of Community Engagement and Government Affairs and executes at their direction. The Director must embody inspirational leadership and teamwork while collaborating with colleagues and managing a team. They must also work collaboratively, seamlessly, and positively with external partners, and with staff at all levels within the organization, from senior leadership to seasonal part-time/temporary staff to volunteers. The candidate will help establish, build and maintain relationships. This role will manage and execute a comprehensive community outreach and engagement plan for developing key external relationships with key stakeholders, such as local elected officials, community boards, community leaders, and non-profit organizations. This role will forge critical internal relationships with the following teams: development, events, business partnerships, and marketing & communications to obtain the necessary information and support needed to grow NYRR’s presence across all five boroughs.

 

Job Responsibilities (primary and support duties include, but limited to):

 

Strategic and Programmatic Support 

• Support the Head of Government Affairs and Community Engagement in the development and execution of departmental strategies and priorities aligned with NYRR’s strategic plan, directing matters of Government Affairs and Community Engagement (e.g. Community: Run Clubs/Crews, NYC Residents etc.). 
• Assist in planning and implementing community engagement efforts—for NYRR races, programs, and initiatives, including Club Council affiliation program (including quarterly meetings), Race Free, community and youth programming, etc. 
• Help to grow and manage strategic organizational relationships, including local elected officials, community boards, nonprofit partners, and advocacy groups. 
• Track, evaluate, and report on community engagement metrics, producing regular updates to inform internal stakeholders and drive data-based decision-making. 
• Participate in the development of outreach strategies to enhance NYRR’s presence and relationships in diverse communities across NYC. 
• Represent NYRR at community meetings and events, as needed, and serve as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders to support the growth of mission-aligned community connections. 

 

Team Leadership and Oversight 

• Provide day-to-day direction and support to the Lead for Community Engagement, ensuring alignment with department goals, objectives and organizational priorities. 
• Guide planning, delivery, and evaluation of the run club engagement strategy, including Club Council meetings, communications, and special events such as Club Night. 
• Assist in the supervision and support of the departmental Coordinator and Intern by assigning and reviewing tasks, helping to shape development opportunities, and ensuring timely execution of responsibilities. 
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team environment that encourages accountability, innovation, and inclusion. 
• Uphold NYRR’s core values through leadership and collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., Events, Marketing, Development, Youth Programs). 

 

Operational and Administrative Duties 

• Assist in developing and maintaining systems for external communications, event notifications, stakeholder correspondence, and other public-facing documents. 
• Collaborate with staff to ensure logistical and planning support for community-facing events, including race-day activations and special engagements. 
• Contribute to departmental efforts around research, stakeholder mapping, and relationship management to enhance community responsiveness. 
• Coordinate internal collaboration around comped race programs, in-kind donation logistics, and other department-managed initiatives. 
• Participate in key organizational events, including weekend and evening activities, as needed. 

 

Job Requirements:

 

Experience:

• 5+ years’ experience leading and managing community initiatives 
• Experience participating in and/or working with run club/crew preferred 
• Knowledge of the New York City run club community 
• Experience in customer service 
• Ability to develop and implement initiatives for a broader audience 
• Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated relationships over time 
• A results-oriented nature and the ability to work well with people at all levels of an organization, developing relationships with diverse constituencies 

 

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelors’ degree in a related field preferred but not required

 

Skills and Attributes:

• A passion for being a part of the NYRR community, health and wellness along with a commitment to the mission, programs, and future aspirations of the organization. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures. 
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact engagement initiatives 
• A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Familiar with NYC communities across all five boroughs 
• Ability to work occasional weekends or evenings 
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Ability to speak another language strongly preferred 

Other: 

• Understanding and/or appreciation for running, running audiences a plus.
• Required to work in-person three major races annually, and weekly races as needed.

 

Salary: $93,000/year 

 

Be advised due to the holidays candidates will be reviewed in January

New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Tags

Temporary work, Part time, Internship, Seasonal work, Work at office, Local area, Flexible hours, Night shift, Afternoon shift,

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