Director of Communications, Health and Human Resource

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is excited to offer a competitive opportunity to serve as the Director of Communications, Health and Human Resource. This role is responsible for shaping, coordinating, and executing a clear communications strategy across the Health and Human Resources Secretariat. This position functions as a press secretary: managing message discipline, preparing the Secretary for on-the record moments, coordinating agency communications, and ensuring the Commonwealth disseminates consistent information. This position will serve as the primary communications lead for the Secretary on the Rural Health Transformation Fund and related initiatives. The business needs of the position will have in office requirements to include but are not limited to in-person meetings, external and internal stakeholder meetings, and press appearances as needed. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is working to improve the health and well-being of Virginians through access to high quality health care coverage. DMAS wants talented individuals who can align their experience with the mission of the agency and its core values – service, collaboration, trust, problem solving and adaptability. At the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) we encourage and promote that you Come as you are | Become who you want to be | That is our promise.

Requirements

Extensive experience developing and executing strategic communication and outreach plans for program initiatives.
Extensive experience serving as a senior-level communications professional in government or complex organizations, such as press secretary, communications director, or senior communications advisor.
Extensive experience creating and delivering outreach content that is aligned with program objectives to include accessibility for a variety of audiences across multiple outreach channels.
Extensive experience facilitating meetings with external stakeholders and advocacy groups.
Extensive experience using data-driven insights to refine communications strategies and generating executive-level reports and briefings.
Considerable experience with digital content and platforms.
Considerable experience with computer software including Microsoft Office.
Considerable experience interpreting and applying public federal and state laws/regulations.
Considerable experience meeting deadlines.
Considerable experience managing internal/external stakeholder relationships and coordinating cross-functional collaboration across multiple organizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the member-centered program design and access.
Considerable experience planning and directing program activities; analyzing data and resolving problems.
Experience interpreting federal and state regulations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Secretary’s lead spokesperson and communications strategist for the Rural Health Transformation Fund and closely related Secretariat priorities.
Shape, coordinate, and execute a clear communications strategy across the Health and Human Resources Secretariat.
Function as a press secretary: managing message discipline, preparing the Secretary for on-the record moments, coordinating agency communications, and ensuring the Commonwealth disseminates consistent information.
Serve as the primary communications lead for the Secretary on the Rural Health Transformation Fund and related initiatives.
Develop and execute a proactive communications strategy that explains complex policy and implementation work in clear, accessible terms.
Prepare the Secretary for media engagements, public remarks, briefings, hearings, and stakeholder appearances.
Draft and oversee key communications products, including talking points, press statements, op eds, briefing memos, and rapid response materials.
Coordinate messaging across agencies within the Secretariat to ensure alignment, consistency, and message discipline.
Work closely with agency communications staff to align timing, tone, and substance of announcements and releases.
Support crisis and issue management by anticipating questions, surfacing risks, and preparing clear responses.
Translate technical policy and implementation details into messages that resonate with legislators, local leaders, providers, and the public.
Track media coverage and public narrative related to Secretariat priorities and adjust strategy as needed.
Support coordination between policy, program, and communications teams to ensure messaging reflects execution reality, including other HR1 provisions.