Title: External Affairs and Communications Director
State Role Title: Public Relations and Marketing Manager III
Hiring Range: $110,000 – $122,000
Pay Band: 6
Agency: Dept of Housing & Cmnty Devel
Location: Main Street Centre
Agency Website: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
DHCD Welcomes Veterans and Veteran Spouses!
Join Our Team at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development!
Are you a visionary public relations professional with a passion for public service? The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is seeking an intentional and inspiring strategic leader to join our agency as the External Affairs and Communications Director.
This role requires a strong leader who combines strategic thinking and innovation to craft compelling strategies and narratives that engage target audiences and effectively position the agency as partners committed to creating safe, affordable and prosperous communities to live, work and do business in Virginia.
In this role, you will connect with the public and amplify the impact of our programs and services across the state, crafting compelling messages that resonate with our stakeholders and drive business outcomes.
As senior-level employee, you will handle all aspects of communication, marketing, and publicity for DHCD. You will provide leadership and supervision to communications staff, create communication strategies, and serve as the key spokesperson and media contact for the organization, coordinating with stakeholders (agency staff, Governor’s Office, Board members) as required. A valid VA driver’s license is required for travel.
In addition, you will promote and educate the public and media about the agency's initiatives, which include:
1. Expanding universal broadband access,
2. Advancing economic development initiatives
3. Implementing statewide building and fire regulations
4. Ensuring the affordability and efficiency of Virginia’s homes and buildings
5. Fostering innovative solutions for affordable housing
In this unique position, your core responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• Providing leadership and supervision to the communication staff.
• Serving as a DHCD Representative on the planning committee for the Governor’s Housing Conference.
• Offering consulting services to DHCD divisions, including brand development, website design, graphic design, logo development, and drafting internal and external messaging.
• Assisting divisions with public relations support for press releases and promotional campaigns, including content creation, proofreading, design, photography, and media relations.
• Monitoring the utilization of departmental news in national, regional, and local media, and creating plans to increase audience engagement.
As the External Affairs and Communications Director, you will be at the forefront of telling the DHCD story while engaging with the community, building trust, and fostering awareness among diverse audiences acting as a bridge between the organization and its stakeholders. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a positive difference in public service, apply now to become the External Affairs and Communications Director at DHCD!
Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis.
Minimum Qualifications
•Proven ability to manage a team of direct reports, as well as be a project team lead who engages employees across other units, while fostering an all-hands-on-deck collaborative and innovative work environment.
•Comprehensive experience in public relations program management, publications management, and media relations strategies and techniques, along with considerable knowledge of principles of people management and capital management.
•Excellent oral and written communications and customer service skills in addition to strong creative problem-solving and analytic capabilities to manage complex and/or controversial public relations.
•Demonstrated ability to plan and manage public relations programs; analyze and develop effective communication programs; to work effectively with media representatives; and to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
•Strong interpersonal and confidential communication skills, with the ability to gather input from stakeholders and convey ideas clearly, especially in on-deadline or crisis scenarios.
•The ability to oversee and evaluate digital marketing, online and mobile communications, website and social media initiatives, and to research information and obtain data for issue resolution.
•Considerable experience managing, leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
•Experience in writing, editing, and overseeing both pre-production (e.g., press releases, briefing, and scriptwriting) and post-production (e.g., video and audio editing, and sound mixing).
•Proficient experience in using current publishing platforms, web-based platforms, A/V systems, web content management systems, graphic design systems, video editing systems, and web development applications.
•Demonstrated experience leading and managing large-scale communications initiatives and/or events.
•Experience providing live event coverage, including social media updates, photography, and audience engagement.
Additional Considerations
•Experience performing similar work in a government environment preferred.
•A deep understanding of the current digital landscape, including trends in news consumption and digital media.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Application Process:
Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications/changes received after the closing date will not be considered. Applications sent through postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.
Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities.
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Supplemental Questions:
You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration. Answers should be reflected in jobs and positions held.
Background and Reference Checks:
Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and reference checks. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (if required and relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.
Lay off Policy 1.3:
If you have been impacted by the DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and have a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), it is necessary to submit the card before the closing date for this position. You can include the Card as an attachment with your state application.
DHCD Welcomes Veterans and Spouses:
We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible to receive additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application.
Sponsorship:
The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.
Reasonable Accommodations:
Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Department of Housing and Community Development practices fair and equal employment opportunities 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. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.
Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion:
DHCD is committed to providing valuable opportunities for a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees feel supported. DHCD seeks to work with partners, grantees, and vendors who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a practice and have a demonstrated record of this commitment.
Alternative Hiring Process:
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019. Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: N/A
Email: rr-recruitment1@dhcd.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.