Senior Director of Communications

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Secretary's Office Job Classification Title Public Information Director II (NS) Position Number 60043413 Grade NC24 About Us The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence. Description of Work The Senior Director of Communications directs the department’s messaging, communication, media relations, and public engagement strategies to advance the health and well-being of North Carolinians. This position manages the Office of Communications, serves as the primary strategic communications advisor to department leaders and acts as a key liaison to the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and stakeholders. The Senior Director reports to the Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and serves on the DHHS Secretary’s Senior Leadership Team. This individual operates with a high degree of independence and exercises professional judgment and decision-making authority in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. Lead the Office of Communications - Oversee the Office of Communications which is the central press, public relations, marketing, and communications section for DHHS. This team’s efforts are critical in communicating the Department’s initiatives and achievements to the public, and in connecting North Carolinians to essential services and public health information. - Coordinate across the Department and with the Governor’s Office and other stakeholders to ensure responses to media inquiries, public records requests, and other external communications needs are strategically aligned. - Closely advise on and manage public communications during emergencies and sensitive events to ensure clarity and trust. - Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture, establish clear team goals and metrics, and mentor staff for long-term success. Lead Communications Strategy - Serve as the department’s lead strategist on communications and messaging, ensuring consistency and alignment across initiatives and campaigns. - Build and implement a communications plan aligned with departmental vision, strategy and goals. - Identify and prioritize opportunities for DHHS leaders to engage with the public, stakeholders, media, and partner organizations to advance the department’s mission and goals. - Anticipate emerging issues, risks, and shifts in the media and political landscape, helping leadership prepare for challenges. Offer Cross-Departmental Support & Foster Connectivity - Provide leadership to align communications team members across the department, including offering proposals to streamline reporting relationships. - Support the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and other department leaders with strategy and preparations ahead of public appearances, legislative hearings, and media interviews. - Offer communications insights and support to the Policy, Legislative, and program teams as requested. - Support the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and other department leaders with internal communications to keep staff informed about priorities, strengthen connection to leadership, and support morale and shared purpose across DHHS. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Grade Range: $87,740.00 - $171,095.00 Recruitment Range: $87,740.00 - $158,605.00 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: Experience in government, public sector communications, higher education, or working with executive leadership and elected officials. Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing communications programs at an organizational or enterprise level. Experience in health care, social services, or public policy-related communications. The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds. This Role Is Eligible To Be Hybrid *This position is Exempt Policymaking and is EXEMPT from certain provisions of the State Human Resources Act (GS 126). This position serves at the pleasure of agency leadership. * Per G.S. 126-5(cl) (37), this position is Exempt from all provisions of NC General Statute Chapter 126 (State Human Resources Act) with the exception of Articles 6 and 7. About the Office of the Secretary The Office of the Secretary serves as the executive leadership arm of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), guiding the Department’s mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. Through strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, the Secretary’s Office supports the effective coordination of over a dozen core divisions, ensuring that agency-wide priorities are aligned, resources are used responsibly, and services are delivered with equity and impact. About DHHS Office of Communications The Office of Communications is the central press, public relations, marketing and communications section for DHHS. Through outreach materials, news releases, interviews, fact sheets, web pages, and other publications, the staff in this unit helps the public understand programs and issues. This office is the liaison with the news media and assists department staff with development of media and communications strategies to handle special events and crises and other communication to citizens and key stakeholder groups. Compensation and Benefits The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for State Benefits Supplemental Contact Information The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: . DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303 , our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Application Process Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM the night BEFORE the closing date. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at . Degree/College Credit Verification Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Veterans’ and National Guard Preference Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. ADA Accommodations Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, etc.) indicated below. CONTACT INFORMATION: If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media, journalism, English or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and eight years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work OR An equivalent combination of education and experience EEO Statement T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Recruiter: Dreisa Yvonne Johnson Email: