ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF GAMING

Arizona Department of Gaming
100 North 15th Avenue
Suite 202 
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $70,000 - $85,000 (DOE) 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: October 10, 2025

The Communications Manager is a mid-level management position responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Arizona Department of Gaming’s Communications Unit. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Government and Community Affairs, this role develops and implements strategic communications that support the agency’s mission, promote transparency, and strengthen public trust. As the Department’s designated Public Information Officer, the Communications Manager leads all media relations, crisis communications, and external messaging efforts, while also supporting internal communications and employee engagement. The position requires close collaboration with executive leadership, agency staff, tribal partners, and industry stakeholders to ensure timely, consistent, and audience-focused messaging across all public platforms. The Communications Manager directly supervises the Communications Specialist and plays a key role in advancing the agency’s outreach, education, and engagement priorities.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Strategic Communications & Executive Support: Manage the daily operations of the Communications Unit to execute agency priorities; ensure alignment across internal and external messaging; support the Assistant Director and Executive Team with message development and long-term communications planning; develop executive communications, including speeches, memos, presentations, and formal messaging; liaise between program staff and leadership to translate complex initiatives into accessible public messaging; translate policies, new laws, and rulemakings into plain-language content for the public; develop and implement targeted public education campaigns on responsible gaming, consumer protection, and regulatory updates in collaboration with program staff and subject matter experts.

Public Information, Media Relations & Crisis Management: Serve as the Department’s Public Information Officer and primary media liaison; coordinate with the Constituent Services Unit and Legal Unit to ensure timely, accurate responses to public records and public information requests involving media or public interest topics; draft press releases, media advisories, public service announcements, consumer alerts, talking points, and official statements; respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews, press events, and public appearances; prepare staff and leadership for media engagements and provide messaging guidance; lead the development and execution of crisis communication protocols and contingency messaging plans; serve as a communications advisor during high-profile or sensitive situations; work closely with Legal and Executive leadership to manage coordinated messaging, timing, and public positioning related to investigations, enforcement actions, or legislative issues.
Digital Communications & Brand Management: Oversee the agency’s content strategy and brand alignment across all digital platforms, including social media and the website; ensure messaging is consistent, timely, and reflective of the agency’s voice and priorities; maintain and enforce brand and style guidelines to ensure consistency across agency publications, digital assets, and public messaging; provide oversight or direction on graphic design and visual communications projects; monitor analytics and audience engagement to refine content and identify outreach opportunities; evaluate campaign performance and media coverage to inform future strategies.

Internal Communications & Employee Engagement: Ensure internal communications support agency goals, priorities, and workplace culture; provide strategic oversight and guidance to the agency in developing internal messaging, staff updates, and agency-wide communications; support executive leadership and the Employee Advisory Council in promoting employee engagement, transparency, and mission alignment through agency events and consistent and timely communication.

Community Affairs, Stakeholder Engagement & Public Education: Support the Executive Team in implementing agency engagement strategies with tribal governments, regulated industries, and community partners; assist with planning and facilitating formal tribal consultations, annual summits, and stakeholder events; identify and support opportunities for public education and consumer outreach in collaboration with program areas; represent the agency at public events, panels, webinars, and stakeholder meetings; serve as backup spokesperson at high-visibility engagements and public-facing events; collaborate with communications and government affairs staff from other state agencies, tribal governments, and industry stakeholders to align messaging and coordinate joint outreach initiatives.

Agency Reporting, Continuous Improvement, & Supervision: Track and report on communications performance using metrics, analytics, and audience insights to inform continuous improvement; contribute to agency-wide continuous improvement and reporting efforts by compiling data, tracking outcomes, and summarizing results for executive leadership; provides direct supervision, coaching, and professional development support to the Communications Specialist; establish clear work priorities, review deliverables, and conduct performance evaluations in accordance with agency policies.

Knowledge
-Principles and practices of public relations, media relations, and strategic communications
-Crisis communication planning, execution, and response protocols in a government or regulatory setting
-Roles and relationships of state agencies, tribal governments, and regulated industry stakeholders
-Stakeholder engagement strategies, including with Tribal Nations, community organizations, and public interest groups
-Public sector communication standards, including plain language, accessibility (ADA), and language access requirements
-Digital communications, including website management, social media platforms, analytics tools, and content management systems
-Arizona public records laws and public information request procedures
-Principles of public administration, organizational leadership, and team supervision
-Government relations, intergovernmental affairs, and public affairs coordination
-The Arizona Management System (AMS), LEAN process improvement, and performance management practices
-Communication performance metrics, evaluation methods, and data-informed decision making
-Ethical standards, confidentiality, and risk management considerations in public communications

Skills
-Strategic planning and execution across multiple communication functions
-Media relations, including message development, public engagement, and crisis communication
-Writing and editing clear, accurate, and compelling content for diverse audiences
-Drafting high-quality reports, briefings, and executive communications
-Translating complex policy, legal, or regulatory concepts into accessible public messaging
-Managing media inquiries, press releases, and public statements under deadline
-Public speaking and presenting complex information to varied audiences
-Planning and executing outreach events, education campaigns, and formal consultations
-Leading cross-agency communication initiatives or multi-stakeholder campaigns
-Evaluating communications outcomes using data, analytics, and audience engagement metrics
-Applying sound judgment and discretion in high-pressure or sensitive situations
-Analyzing trends and data to inform communication recommendations or strategies
-Supervising, mentoring, and coaching staff for performance and growth

Ability
-Represent the agency professionally in high-stakes and public-facing settings, including before Tribal Nations, the media, and external stakeholders
-Serve as a credible spokesperson on behalf of the agency at events, interviews, and consultations
-Lead cross-functional communications projects with minimal supervision while managing competing priorities and deadlines
-Manage multiple projects, timelines, and urgent issues with accuracy and attention to detail
-Develop and maintain collaborative relationships across federal, state, local, and tribal partners
- Communicate clearly, diplomatically, and persuasively both in writing and verbally
-Adapt quickly to shifting priorities and organizational needs in a dynamic executive environment
-Exercise sound judgment, confidentiality, and discretion in sensitive or politically visible situations
-Model professionalism, accountability, and integrity in all internal and external interactions
-Travel as required, including overnight stays, for stakeholder engagement, events, or conferences

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field; Master’s degree in communications, public administration, political science, journalism, or related discipline is preferred; Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or other relevant professional certification; Experience working with or for Tribal Nations, including knowledge of Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compacts; Experience in a regulatory agency or gaming-related environment.

At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, media relations, or communications; Two (2) years of supervisory or lead-level experience; Valid driver’s license

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

The Arizona Department of Gaming offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave - Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at HumanResources@azgaming.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.