Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

4d•$177,000 - $201,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs. Reporting directly to the State Health Commissioner, this executive-level position provides leadership and oversight for the agency’s external affairs portfolio, including communications, media relations, community engagement, stakeholder partnerships, and constituent services. The Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs serves as a key member of the agency’s executive leadership team and is responsible for shaping and advancing VDH’s public presence across the Commonwealth. This role leads the development and execution of comprehensive communication and engagement strategies that promote transparency, strengthen public trust, and ensure Virginians have equitable access to critical health information, services, and resources. This position provides strategic direction for all agency communication activities, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with organizational priorities. The Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs cultivates and maintains strong relationships with media organizations, community leaders, elected officials, healthcare partners, advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders. The role also establishes systems and processes to gather, analyze, and elevate community perspectives to inform agency planning, policy development, and decision-making. The successful candidate will foster innovation within the communications function while elevating the agency’s ability to communicate effectively during both routine operations and complex public health events. The ideal candidate has extensive experience leading communications, public affairs, external relations, or stakeholder engagement functions within a large and complex organization. Experience in government, public health, healthcare, higher education, or other highly visible public-serving environments is preferred.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of communications principles and practices as they pertain to a large, complex organization, including crisis and risk communications.
Extensive knowledge of communications media, including digital, social media, web-based platforms, and multimedia content.
Extensive knowledge of stakeholder engagement, community relations, and public affairs.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and public officials.
Knowledge of public health systems, health equity principles, and the social and structural factors that impact health outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex and diverse information and present clear, effective, and persuasive communications to varied audiences.
Strong ability to lead enterprise-wide strategy, manage multiple high-priority initiatives, and align cross-functional teams.
Considerable knowledge of state and/or federal government operations and ability to navigate complex organizational and political environments.
Strong leadership, organizational, and management skills, including experience supervising professional staff and managing high-performing teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong professional judgment; and the ability to respond effectively in high-pressure and rapidly evolving situations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in government, public health, healthcare, higher education, or other highly visible public-serving environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and oversight for the agency’s external affairs portfolio, including communications, media relations, community engagement, stakeholder partnerships, and constituent services.
Serves as a key member of the agency’s executive leadership team and is responsible for shaping and advancing VDH’s public presence across the Commonwealth.
Leads the development and execution of comprehensive communication and engagement strategies that promote transparency, strengthen public trust, and ensure Virginians have equitable access to critical health information, services, and resources.
Provides strategic direction for all agency communication activities, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with organizational priorities.
Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with media organizations, community leaders, elected officials, healthcare partners, advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders.
Establishes systems and processes to gather, analyze, and elevate community perspectives to inform agency planning, policy development, and decision-making.
Fosters innovation within the communications function while elevating the agency’s ability to communicate effectively during both routine operations and complex public health events.