Community and Government Relations Manager

EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt 

REPORTS TO: Deputy Director, Capital Campaign 

LOCATION: 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024 

WEBSITE: www.CMOM.org 

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN 

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is a steward of early childhood, helping all children grow and develop into their best selves. Through our programs on-site, online, and around the five boroughs, CMOM nurtures the next generation of creative global citizens as they learn through exploration and play. Our offerings embrace the intersection of the arts, sciences, and humanities and include exhibitions, classes, workshops, performances, and festivals. Our programs and exhibits are designed to address the multiple ways children learn and to help parents understand and support their children’s development. CMOM’S special areas of focus include early childhood education, creativity, health, and world cultures. The museum’s programming reflects the rich cultural diversity, energy, and resilience of New York City itself and we aim to ensure our programs are available to those families who might not otherwise have access.  

Founded in 1973 as a neighborhood organization, CMOM has grown over the years into a beloved destination and resource for children, families, and educators from across the five boroughs and from around the world. The museum welcomes 350,000 visitors each year to its Upper West Side location and engages hundreds of thousands more through its outreach programs in partnership with schools, libraries, shelters, and Head Start centers throughout New York City; its touring exhibitions; and its online tools and curricula. 

 ABOUT THE POSITION  

CMOM seeks a Community and Government Relations Manager to support the creation of a new home for the Museum at 96th Street and Central Park West. The Community and Government Relations Manager will report to the Deputy Director, Capital Campaign and work in close partnership with the Capital Project Team (external and internal), Development Team, and other CMOM colleagues to coordinate CMOM’s project and fundraising efforts. The Community and Government Relations Manager is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with community stakeholders, government officials (local, state, federal), and policymakers. This role aims to advance CMOM's mission, enhance its public presence, and secure support for its programs and initiatives. 

 RESPONSIBILITIES 

Community Engagement:  

• Serve as the public face and main point of contact for community stakeholders 
• Attend community board meetings, public hearings, and other related events to ensure CMOM has a sustained and active presence among local stakeholders  
• Identify and cultivate community leaders to be advocates / ambassadors for CMOM 
• Maintain regular communication with neighbors about the capital project (design updates, construction alerts, etc.) and CMOM activity 
• Compose comprehensive and strategic responses to public inquiries and concerns, and manage and track all related correspondence to ensure timely and effective follow-up 
• Regularly update and brief leadership on emerging issues and key developments, ensuring they are informed and equipped to address or respond as needed 
• Create compelling electronic and print communications to support advocacy efforts, including managing content for dedicated webpage/area on page for CMOM’s building project 

Government Relations:  

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and federal government officials, agencies, and representatives to advance the organization's interests and secure funding opportunities 
• Build and execute robust engagement plans in partnership with CEO, Board leadership, and Executive Team 
• Oversee weekly Government Strategy meeting with lobbyists 
• Advocate for CMOM’s interests in local, state, and federal government matters, including funding opportunities and policy issues. 
• Monitor and analyze government policies and legislation that may impact the museum, providing strategic advice and recommendations 
• Create and implement strategies to secure government funding (city, federal, state), including drafting and submitting grant proposals, applications, and supporting documentation with support from the Fundraising and Project Teams 
• Oversee the preparation and submission of required reports for government grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with all funding requirements and deadlines 
• Partner with the Finance team to create budgets and financial reports and tracking tools for any government grants and contracts (including multiyear capital project), ensuring accuracy and alignment with funding requirements 

Additional responsibilities include:  

• Develop and maintain a database of community and government contacts, tracking interactions and follow-ups 
• Serve as main liaison between Capital Project and Fundraising Teams. 
• Support campaign events, presentations, and communications to enhance visibility and engagement with community and government stakeholders 
• Track and report on campaign progress and stakeholder engagement, providing insights to the Chief Advancement Officer and Development Team 
• Work closely with the Development Team to align community and government relations efforts with broader fundraising and strategic goals 

 QUALIFICATIONS 

• A passion for CMOM’s mission with a collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial spirit 
• 5+ years of experience in community relations, government affairs, or public policy. 
• Strong organizational and project management skills  
• Detail oriented and organized with the strong ability to successfully multitask  
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences  
• Calm, resilient, agile, and willing to work in a fast-paced and changing environment 
• Effective listening skills and openness to other people’s ideas and suggestions 
• Strong knowledge of the workings and structure of New York State, New York City, and federal government preferred, including of the UWS community and community development issues  
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a collaborative team 
• Requires working occasional evenings and weekends 

 COMPENSATION  

$65,000 - $75,000 annually based upon experience. Comprehensive benefits package. 

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Background checks will be completed on all employees.