Director of Communications, Health and Human Resource

Title: Director of Communications, Health and Human ResourceState Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr IIIHiring Range: $115,000 - $140,000Pay Band: 6Agency: Dept of Med Assistance SvcsLocation: Dept of Medical Asst ServicesAgency Website: www.dmas.virginia.govRecruitment Type: General Public - GJob ResponsibilitiesThe Director of Communications is the Secretary's lead spokesperson and communications strategist for the Rural Health Transformation Fund and closely related Secretariat priorities.Responsible for shaping, coordinating, and executing a clear communications strategy across the Health and Human Resources Secretariat.Functions as a press secretary: managing message discipline, preparing the Secretary for on-record moments, coordinating agency communications, and ensuring consistent messaging to the Commonwealth.Serves as the primary communications lead for the Secretary on the Rural Health Transformation Fund and related initiatives.Develops and executes a proactive communications strategy that explains complex policy and implementation work in clear, accessible terms.Prepares the Secretary for media engagements, public remarks, briefings, hearings, and stakeholder appearances.Drafts and oversees key communications products, including talking points, press statements, op-eds, briefing memos, and rapid-response materials.Coordinates messaging across agencies within the Secretariat to ensure alignment, consistency, and message discipline.Works closely with agency communications staff to align timing, tone, and substance of announcements and releases.Supports crisis and issue management by anticipating questions, surfacing risks, and preparing clear responses.Translates technical policy and implementation details into messages that resonate with legislators, local leaders, providers, and the public.Tracks media coverage and public narrative related to Secretariat priorities and adjusts strategy as needed.Supports coordination between policy, program, and communications teams to ensure messaging reflects execution reality, including other HR1 provisions.Manages in-office requirements that include in-person meetings, external and internal stakeholder meetings, and press appearances as needed.Minimum QualificationsExtensive experience developing and executing strategic communication and outreach plans for program initiatives.Extensive experience serving as a senior-level communications professional in government or complex organizations, such as press secretary, communications director, or senior communications advisor.Extensive experience creating and delivering outreach content aligned with program objectives, accessible to a variety of audiences across multiple outreach channels.Extensive experience facilitating meetings with external stakeholders and advocacy groups.Extensive experience using data-driven insights to refine communications strategies and generate executive-level reports and briefings.Considerable experience with digital content and platforms.Considerable experience with computer software including Microsoft Office.Considerable experience interpreting and applying public federal and state laws and regulations.Considerable experience meeting deadlines.Considerable experience managing internal and external stakeholder relationships and coordinating cross-functional collaboration across multiple organizations.Additional ConsiderationsExperience with member-centered program design and access.Considerable experience planning and directing program activities; analyzing data and resolving problems.Experience interpreting federal and state regulations.EEO StatementThe Department of Medical Assistance Services practices fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired. Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at the provided link or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019. Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022 and February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.J-18808-Ljbffr