Deputy Communications Director

State of Illinois • Chicago, IL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is seeking a motivated professional to serve as the Deputy Communications Director. Reporting directly to the Director of Communications, the Deputy Communications Director will serve as a policy-making official and will assist the Director of Communications with leading the agency’s internal and external communications efforts, which include organizing, planning, executing, controlling and evaluating the communications team’s operations. The Deputy Communications Director will also help lead and execute communication strategies related to federal Public Law 119‑21 (known as H.R.1 or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) initiatives, with a focus on federal regulatory and administrative program requirements, ensuring consistent, accurate, and accessible information is provided to internal and external stakeholders impacted by the new federal regulations and administrative program changes. The ideal candidate will exhibit strong attention to detail, demonstrate leadership skills to achieve set goals while demonstrating independent initiatives and strong interpersonal skills and experience setting and meeting short and long-term deadlines. Strong writing and organizational skills are critical for this position. HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Requirements

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, or liberal arts
• Requires four (4) years of related administrative experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, or a comparable field
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest.

Nice To Haves

• Four (4) years of professional experience managing a communications strategy for a public or business organization
• Four (4) years of professional experience in a public-facing role presenting, delivering or communicating on behalf of a public or business organization
• Four (4) years of professional experience in the management or implementation of a marketing plan for a public or business organization
• Four (4) years of professional experience planning, organizing, and conducting special events for a public or business organization
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or marketing

Responsibilities

• Serving as the Deputy Communications Director for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), and under the direction of the Director of Communications
• Assists with statewide marketing efforts, including but not limited to ongoing customer and stakeholder communications related to the Department’s implementation of new federal requirements
• Provides input and support to the HFS Communications Director in the development and implementation of statewide public communications, including, but not limited to, creating and overseeing content on the agency’s public website and social media channels
• Prepares materials for and drives or travels to attend, support, and provide guidance on special events, including but not limited to press engagements, legislative hearings, the Springfield and DuQuoin State Fairs, and other events as assigned
• Serves as a representative of the HFS Communications Director in collaborating with the Governor’s Office and other government agencies regarding highly sensitive, complex responses, reaffirming the Department’s position on sensitive and controversial issues
• Serves as a full line supervisor
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Benefits

• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
• Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
• New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
• Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
• (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree