Title: Director of Strategic Communications

State Role Title: Communications

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia Retirement System

Location: Virginia Retirement System

Agency Website: www.varetire.org/careers

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS), an independent state agency, delivers retirement and other benefits to eligible Virginia public sector employees through sound financial stewardship and superior customer service. Ranked as the 14th largest public or private pension fund in the U.S. and the 36th largest in the world, VRS serves more than 800,000 active and inactive members, retirees and beneficiaries.

Join VRS as a trusted leader in the delivery of benefits and services to those we serve.

VRS fosters a high-performing workforce in a hybrid work environment (generally 2 days in the office, 3 days remote) where employees are celebrated and professional growth and development is encouraged. Featured benefits include health and life insurance, paid vacation and holidays, an agency bonus program and participation in the VRS retirement program with options for additional tax-deferred retirement savings to include employer matching.

The Director of Strategic Communications is a key member of the Director’s Executive Leadership team. Reporting to the agency Director, the Director of Strategic Communications provides the strategic direction of all VRS communication methods and initiatives. This position ensures effective communication between VRS and our members, the media, constituent organizations and other stakeholders. Additionally, this position will manage external communication initiatives, public relations activities, media relations and messaging across multiple platforms and channels, including digital, social media, and traditional media outlets.

Lead an AWARD-WINNING communications team! The successful candidate will have experience interacting with print, digital and broadcast media, including "on camera", experience. Demonstrated ability to be versatile and quick-thinking in developing communications strategies, while functioning in a fast-moving industry environment. The role requires knowledge of branding and the ability to establish and monitor brand standards, along with demonstrated experience with managerial principles, including the ability to lead, coach, inspire, and manage a team.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Provides strategic direction and vision for the agency’s comprehensive communication strategy in alignment with VRS goals and objectives including development of a multi-year communications strategy.
• Engages with the agency’s leadership team to deliver results consistent with the agency’s goals and objectives.
• Collaborates across organizational lines to deliver content and solutions that meet or exceed audience needs and expectations.
• Adjusts to changing priorities and coordinates cross-functional activities within a fast-paced environment.
• Ensures consistent and effective messaging across all communication platforms regarding policies, procedures, new legislation, agency initiatives, board actions, and investment communications.
• Manages a team of communications professionals providing direction, coaching, support and professional development opportunities. Fosters a collaborative team environment and implements strategies for continuous improvement.
• Tracks the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns and prepares reports to inform leadership on outcomes.
• Monitors and keeps leadership abreast of VRS media coverage and public perception. Prepares responses as necessary.
• Uses data analysis tools measure campaign effectiveness and gain insights into public or customer sentiments.
• Communicates board actions or positions in collaboration with the Director, Chief Investment Officer and VRS Board Chair.
• Demonstrates skill in defining, collecting, and interpreting analytics and using that information to guide business decisions.
• Develops opportunities to maximize communication efforts to allow for the most effective and impactful communication as possible.
• Manages third-party administrator communications to ensure all communication materials reflect the agency’s brand standards and are delivered in a timely manner.
• Oversees the creation and approval of all agency publications including print, digital and multimedia.
• Develops and executes crisis communication plans in response to emergency events and serves as the agency crisis spokesperson ensuring dissemination of accurate information.
• Develops and makes presentations to stakeholder groups regarding VRS information, policies, and investment information; provide them with prepared articles on VRS topics to insert into their publications distributed to shared audiences.
• Develops presentations and talking points for the director and executive staff to use, maintaining consistent messaging and adhering to agency communications strategy and standards.
• Serves as primary contact for stakeholder groups and develops relationships as necessary to facilitate communication and cooperation on various VRS topics.
• Effectively stays abreast of retirement industry topics, initiatives and news, while sharing this information with colleagues and implementing effective communications strategies for the agency, as appropriate.
• Coaches leadership team on comments to the media and organizations.
• Oversees the recording of resolutions submitted by employers for various benefit changes, ensuring that the information is shared appropriately with the executive staff and the VRS Board of Trustees, as per the Code of Virginia.
• Oversees employer outreach to ensure adherence to the overall VRS communication strategy and to ensure alignment with other outreach; confirms agency policy as new employers and issues are identified; reviews sensitive communication to employers; facilitates responsiveness to employers by gaining approval from the agency director and executive staff as required.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with local, regional and national media outlets.
• Drafts and delivers agency press releases and media advisories and conducts media calls.
• Participates in cross-functional teams and contributes to improving services across agency lines.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of communications policies and procedures.
• Effectively works with all levels of management and staff to improve processes and procedures.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Public Relations, Marketing or a related field.

Seven to ten years of progressive experience in Communications, Public Relations or a related field, with at least 3 – 5 years of leadership or management experience.

• Demonstrated utilization of the MS Office Suite of applications and SharePoint, Teams, and Adobe.
• Strong organizational skills to achieve effective and efficient operations; ability to balance and administer multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Strong editing skills, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to write in a consistent tone that matches the context, whether it's for customers, stakeholders, or the press.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow members of the leadership team, staff and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability in developing communications strategies using multiple communication channels, and tactics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of English grammar and composition; and AP writing style while adhering to VRS style, providing consistent tone for the target audience.
• Effective presentation skills, and the ability to make presentations to small and large groups.

Additional Considerations

Knowledge of VRS programs and services preferred.

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.

Contact Information

Name: VRS Human Resources

Email: careers@varetire.org

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.