Title: Director of Communications, Health and Human Resource

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr III

Hiring Range: $115,000 - $120,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Med Assistance Svcs

Location: Dept of Medical Asst Services

Agency Website: www.dmas.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is excited to offer a competitive opportunity to serve as the Director of Communications, Health and Human Resource in the Director's Office.

Job responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

The Director of Communications is the Secretary’s lead spokesperson and communications strategist for the Rural Health Transformation Fund and closely related Secretariat priorities.

This role is responsible for shaping, coordinating, and executing a clear communications strategy across the Health and Human Resources Secretariat.

This position functions as a press secretary: managing message discipline, preparing the Secretary for on-the record moments, coordinating agency communications, and ensuring the Commonwealth disseminates consistent information.

This position will serve as the primary communications lead for the Secretary on the Rural Health Transformation Fund and related initiatives.

Develop and execute a proactive communications strategy that explains complex policy and implementation work in clear, accessible terms.

Prepare the Secretary for media engagements, public remarks, briefings, hearings, and stakeholder appearances.

Draft and oversee key communications products, including talking points, press statements, op eds, briefing memos, and rapid response materials.

Coordinate messaging across agencies within the Secretariat to ensure alignment, consistency, and message discipline.

Work closely with agency communications staff to align timing, tone, and substance of announcements and releases.

Support crisis and issue management by anticipating questions, surfacing risks, and preparing clear responses.

Translate technical policy and implementation details into messages that resonate with legislators, local leaders, providers, and the public.

Track media coverage and public narrative related to Secretariat priorities and adjust strategy as needed.

Support coordination between policy, program, and communications teams to ensure messaging reflects execution reality, including other HR1 provisions.

The business needs of the position will have in office requirements to include but are not limited to in-person meetings, external and internal stakeholder meetings, and press appearances as needed.

Located in beautiful Central Virginia, the Richmond area puts you just 2 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Beach and Washington DC. To learn more about the Richmond, VA area visit: https://www.virginia.org/

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is working to improve the health and well-being of Virginians through access to high quality health care coverage.

DMAS wants talented individuals who can align their experience with the mission of the agency and its core values – service, collaboration, trust, problem solving and adaptability.

At the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) we encourage and promote that you Come as you are | Become who you want to be | That is our promise.

Minimum Qualifications

Competitive candidates will meet these minimum qualifications:

Extensive 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 that is aligned with program objectives to include accessibility for 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 generating 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/regulations.

Considerable experience meeting deadlines.

Considerable experience managing internal/external stakeholder relationships and coordinating cross-functional collaboration across multiple organizations.

Additional Considerations

Competitive candidates should meet these additional considerations:

Experience with the member-centered program design and access.

Considerable experience planning and directing program activities; analyzing data and resolving problems;

Experience interpreting federal and state regulations.

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.

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) does not offer employment-based Sponsorship. Selected candidates will have their work authorization completed using the E‐Verify Program.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is an Executive Branch agency that will adhere to all policies and procedures, to include the Commonwealth’s Department of Human Resource Management Policy 1.61 Teleworking. This position could be expected to work in the office as driven by business needs.

Telework arrangements are a privilege and may be rescinded at any time based on performance and/or business need. The agency reserves the right to modify or terminate a telework arrangement, provided that reasonable notice is given to the employee.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, Education Checks if applicable, Work History Verification with references.

This position requires the submission of a Statement of Economic Interest (financial disclosure).

If you wish to apply for a job with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, an application and/or resume for employment must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications/resumes will not be accepted. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the relevant information presented in the state application and/or resume submitted before the closing date.

Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

The 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 (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

The Department of Medical Assistance Services is a V3 certified state agency that provides hiring preference to veterans and members of the reserves and/or National Guard in support of executive order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Spouse of a Veteran or Active Military Member, DMAS encourages you to apply and respond accordingly on your state application.

Contact Information

Name: DMAS Talent Acquisition

Phone: 804 - 225 - 4407

Email: askhcdtalentacq@dmas.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.