Director of Communications

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

5d•$105,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The OSA Director of Communications performs the function of conveying the values, goals, achievements, and work of the OSA to internal and external audiences consistent with the strategic plan of the OSA and in collaboration with, among others, auditors, fraud examiners, researchers, attorneys, data analysts, legislative and external affairs coordinators, and other subject matter experts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, public affairs, community relations, or a related field, preferably with experience in the public sector
Ability to understand complex issues related to public policy and state government
Demonstrated experience in effectively managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, demanding environment and managing competing priorities and demands while pursuing long-term projects and goals
Demonstrated ability to react quickly and calmly under pressure
Experience mentoring and motivating staff
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication and listening skills, including but not limited to the ability to communicate persuasively and dynamically about the OSA and its programs
Proficiency with computer software, including Canva, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Experience in interactive/digital media communications, including web design, graphic design, and content management, social media, video production, and blogs
Consistent drive and ability to take ideas from vision to implementation
Strong inter-personal skills and the ability to work with a broad spectrum of colleagues and partners
An understanding of key components of internal communications and a demonstrated ability to effectively inform staff members about an organization’s values, activities, and other priorities

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Commonwealth’s communications and external relations practices.
Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and resources.
Experience in supervising and evaluating staff
Familiarity with data storytelling
Deep understanding of state government agencies, their responsibilities, and how they function.

Responsibilities

Thoroughly read and comprehend all audit reports issued by the OSA and be able to quickly articulate them to the public, through press releases and engaging social media posts, in a fashion that is educational, informative, and easy to understand
Closely monitor news and happenings across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including developments involving state and local government, and be prepared to produce relevant media content
Development and execution of an overall communications plan, utilizing all available forms of media suitable to the target audience or audiences
Assist with the issuance of releases of audits, reports, newsletters, and other work product to external audiences
Providing rapid, knowledgeable, and thorough responses to all media inquiries
Development of a social media calendar and implementation of a digital communications strategy
Participation in the development of instructive and engaging visual elements for audits, reports, and other work product to aid readers’ comprehension and increase interest
Building and maintaining relationships with media outlets and opinion leaders and identifying opportunities to relate the work of the OSA to current events and policy discussions
Participation in the drafting of speeches, testimony, opinion pieces, journal articles, and other presentations for the Auditor and other staff members
Production of written materials for external and internal use (i.e., press releases, op-eds, PowerPoint presentations, videos, newsletters, social media graphics, and other items)
Assist with ensuring that the OSA external website and internal home page reflect current work and are user-friendly
Coaching staff members for audio and visual presentations and media responses
Developing quantifiable metrics to monitor communications performance and impact
Ensuring communications staff’s compliance with the ethical standards of the OSA and of the communications profession
Assisting staff in the setting of performance goals, monitoring performance, providing coaching, and evaluating performance on an annual basis
Performing other duties as assigned