Director of Communications (Director of Strategic Communications) / 61079178TG

*This is a Temporary Grant Position.*

Are you an Exceptional Leader?  We are looking for a Director of Communications (Director of Strategic Communications) who is responsible for directing and administering the public relations and marketing programs designed to promote the Agency’s mission, goals, activities, and projects. Reporting directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Director will lead a team of communication experts shaping how SCDHHS communicates with our members, providers, and partners. As an agency, SCDHHS oversees an annual budget of $12 billion and this opportunity will play a critical role in defining and elevating the Agency’s voice to internal and external audiences. Responsibilities include serving as the Agency’s spokesperson, overseeing the development of press releases, bulletins, and public notices, as well as supporting high-priority agency initiatives through communication planning.

• Plans, develops and directs communication strategies and short and long-range public information campaigns designed to enhance the Agency's branding and promote and explain SCDHHS' goals, activities, and objectives. Manages and furthers the Agency's social media strategy, increasing social media applications such as X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as blog communications. Oversees the enhancement of the Agency's website to maximize communications goals, and stakeholder engagement with members, providers, partners, and the public.
• Oversees creative engagement of Medicaid members, the media, the healthcare community, consumers, and the public, leveraging agency data and state national trends to extend messaging and create local tie-in. Oversees the development, review, and dissemination of all Agency communications and application of appropriate vehicles and tools for specific stakeholder groups.
• Develops and maintains outreach calendar to ensure Agency presence at civic, professional, and consumer-related organizations. Coordinates promotions and educational programs with other agencies and stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and leveraging communications impact.
• Performs fundamental supervisory and leadership functions in accordance with Department policies and procedures, best practices and Federal and State rules and regulations, especially with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) standards.  Maintains an effective organizational team and motivates diverse staff to accomplish mission critical operations and objectives.
• Leads or supports other projects proactively or as assigned by Agency leadership. Projects may require driving to location outside of regular office location. Continuously engages in process improvement to support Agency, Division, and Bureau-wide strategies, objectives, and initiatives.
  
  

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

A bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of public relations and communications experience in an administrative capacity. 

All degrees must be from a college or higher education institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education & Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted with prior State Human Resources approval.

Preferred: Experience in dealing with politically sensitive information. 

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license.
• Occasional overnight travel.
• Requires holder to drive routinely.
• Sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Overtime and/or weekend work with Deputy approval.
• Lifting requirements: 20 lbs.
• In-office role.

• Ability to write clear and effective policy, promotional, and public information content.  
• Public speaking and presentation skills required.  
• Knowledge of journalistic principles and practices and techniques of disseminating information to the public, through traditional methods and social media. 
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in planning, composing, editing and producing publications. 
• Knowledge of principles and methods of budgeting, planning, conducting and supervising large-scale public relations programs. 
• Experience in crisis management and crisis messaging.  
• Knowledge of Medicaid and SCDHHS programs, policies, procedures, objectives and goals. 
• Ability to gather, organize and present oral and written information in a clear, concise and accurate manner. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the communication media and general public. 
• Knowledge of state government and the legislative process. Ability to work independently and professionally. 
• Ability to lead and manage team of communications professionals. 
• Ability to handle public, media, and legislative requests for information, and to direct comprehensive agency efforts with limited supervision.
• Must exercise a high degree of judgment, discretion and maintain strict confidentiality standards.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet deadlines.

Please complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education.  A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.  Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application for qualification purposes.  All applicants must apply online.  All correspondence from the Office of Human Resources will be through electronic mail.
 
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Salary : $100,000 - $110,000