Communications Lead - Housing Division (CC4)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

12h•Remote

About The Position

The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that touches every aspect of community and economic development: planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety and crime victims, international trade, business services and more. We work with local governments, tribes, businesses and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper. The Communications Team provides comprehensive communications services for the agency, including media relations, digital communications, graphic design and branding, agency reports, website services and internal communications. The team contributes to the agency’s mission of strengthening communities by ensuring communication is clear, concise, written in plain language and accessible to all. The Housing Communications Lead reports to the Deputy Communications Director and is the chief strategist, planner, communicator and storyteller for the Housing Division, supporting the mission of the division by telling human centered stories and highlighting the success of Commerce’s Housing programs. This position works closely with Housing division and Communications division leadership and staff to develop communications materials that are tailored to various audiences – the public, media, community partners and legislators. This position must be based in either Seattle or Olympia to perform all job duties.

Requirements

Five (5) years of combined experience and education as described below. This could be gained by a combination of relevant education beyond high school equivalency and/or professional-level experience in journalism, communications, public relations, English literature or related field. Examples of how to qualify: Five (5) years of experience
Four (4) years of experience and one year of education
Three (3) years of experience and two years of education
Two (2) years of experience and three years of education
One (1) year of experience and four years of education
A complete and detailed online application.
A cover letter (enter online).
At least three professional references (enter online).

Nice To Haves

Track record of earning positive media coverage using media contacts and relationships
Past experience in communications in housing, housing agency or related field.
Past work in a newsroom or fast-paced content production environment

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, execute complex communications strategies for the Housing Division: Plan, organize, direct, and control communication strategies for the division to increase awareness of Housing programs for residents in Washington State
Establish a Housing Division communications planning calendar and long term communications strategy for division communications needs
Develop, direct, and implement the Housing Division’s communications objectives; evaluate effectiveness of information and public relations activities for all units within the Housing division and identify and implement changes in alignment with best practice and organizational guidelines.
Advise agency and division staff on the most effective means of external communication to achieve Housing program goals.
Staff the agency Director, and/or Housing Assistant Director at press conferences and other media events, take photos and video, for dissemination on Commerce social channels and to our media contacts after the event.
Draft talking points and prep materials for the agency Director and Assistant Director of Housing for public appearances and speeches.
Write press releases on behalf of the Housing division and distribute to Housing division subject matter experts and Housing leadership for review before sending the Media Relations Manager and Deputy Communications Manager for review and approval.
Write and publish mass emails about Housing funding opportunities, funding awards and other critical housing news using the GovDelivery system
Develop and write informational one-sheets or other documents that summarize each Housing program and its objectives, create a storage library for these one-sheets where agency staff, including Communications, can easily access them.
Update individual website pages belonging to the Housing division, in collaboration with the Website Content Manager, to ensure effective and up-to-date information is available and accessible to all
Conduct an initial review and edit of legislative reports for the Housing division when necessary
Ensure all Housing division communications materials in the Housing Division adhere to the Communications Team’s best practices, and procedures for external communication and outreach materials, ensuring content meets accessibility standards, adheres to AP style, uses plain language and is error free.
Serve as Communications Lead on behalf of the agency and division for the Governor’s Task Force on Housing – organizing and carrying out various communications duties for staff.
Develop crisis and rapid response communications protocols: Create and maintain division specific rapid response plans for urgent housing issues, including natural disasters, funding disruptions, or major public controversies. Establish workflows, templates, and decision trees to ensure timely and accurate public information.
Lead cross-agency housing communications coordination: Coordinate strategic messaging, timelines, and outreach with other state agencies that partner with Commerce on housing and homelessness programs to achieve alignment across the statewide housing ecosystem. This includes convening periodic interagency communications check-ins and producing shared messaging guides or toolkits.
Manage strategic partnerships with external housing organizations: Build and maintain formal communications partnerships with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and regional housing coalitions that are funded by Commerce. Provide co-branded materials, share communications assets, and coordinate on storytelling that elevates partners’ work alongside Commerce initiatives.
Proactive storytelling and earned media coverage: Preside over weekly content meetings with key Housing staff members, and communications colleagues from digital and internal communications to strategize and discover story opportunities.
Develop and direct intentional strategies for communicating about Housing programs and policy, including tying storytelling to national or current events
Identify stories to proactively pitch to media, both locally and nationally, to get positive media coverage for the Housing division in collaboration with division leadership and the Deputy Communications Director
Collaborate with employees across the division, including conducting interviews with subject matter experts, stakeholders and community members to write both external and internal stories related to the success of Housing division programs.
Write and produce engaging and compelling content for Commerce digital assets, in concert with the agency Digital Communications Manager, including but not limited to compelling social media campaigns around special events utilizing social media platforms including but not limited to: Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Threads, Blue Sky, YouTube and Instagram.
Gather the appropriate information needed to respond to media inquiries, in concert with the Deputy Communications Director and Media Relations Manager.
Design and produce short or medium length videos for social media or agency needs.
Write, edit or assist with a monthly internal Housing Division newsletter and deliver to staff.
Coach Housing staff, when needed, on how to do effective media interviews
General communications support and assistance: Write and edit GovDelivery mass emails for other divisions when other division Leads are not available.
Draft press releases for the agency or other divisions as needed
Update web pages for other divisions as needed.
Develop communications policy or procedure as assigned by the Communications Director
Periodically review and suggest revisions and updates to the Communications Team Inclusive Language Guide
Act as back-up to the Media Relations Manager, as assigned by the Deputy Communications Director, when the Media Relations Manager is absent.
Other duties as assigned