Senior Director of Communications

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Secretary's Office Job Classification Title Public Information Director II (NS) Position Number 60043413 Grade NC24 About Us The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence. Description of Work The Senior Director of Communications directs the department’s messaging, communication, media relations, and public engagement strategies to advance the health and well-being of North Carolinians. This position manages the Office of Communications, serves as the primary strategic communications advisor to department leaders and acts as a key liaison to the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and stakeholders. The Senior Director reports to the Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and serves on the DHHS Secretary’s Senior Leadership Team. This individual operates with a high degree of independence and exercises professional judgment and decision-making authority in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. Lead the Office of Communications - Oversee the Office of Communications which is the central press, public relations, marketing, and communications section for DHHS. This team’s efforts are critical in communicating the Department’s initiatives and achievements to the public, and in connecting North Carolinians to essential services and public health information. - Coordinate across the Department and with the Governor’s Office and other stakeholders to ensure responses to media inquiries, public records requests, and other external communications needs are strategically aligned. - Closely advise on and manage public communications during emergencies and sensitive events to ensure clarity and trust. - Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture, establish clear team goals and metrics, and mentor staff for long-term success. Lead Communications Strategy - Serve as the department’s lead strategist on communications and messaging, ensuring consistency and alignment across initiatives and campaigns. - Build and implement a communications plan aligned with departmental vision, strategy and goals. - Identify and prioritize opportunities for DHHS leaders to engage with the public, stakeholders, media, and partner organizations to advance the department’s mission and goals. - Anticipate emerging issues, risks, and shifts in the media and political landscape, helping leadership prepare for challenges. Offer Cross-Departmental Support & Foster Connectivity - Provide leadership to align communications team members across the department, including offering proposals to streamline reporting relationships. - Support the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and other department leaders with strategy and preparations ahead of public appearances, legislative hearings, and media interviews. - Offer communications insights and support to the Policy, Legislative, and program teams as requested. - Support the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and other department leaders with internal communications to keep staff informed about priorities, strengthen connection to leadership, and support morale and shared purpose across DHHS. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Grade Range: $87,740.00 - $171,095.00   Recruitment Range: $87,740.00 - $158,605.00  Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: Experience in government, public sector communications, higher education, or working with executive leadership and elected officials. Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing communications programs at an organizational or enterprise level. Experience in health care, social services, or public policy-related communications. The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds.  This Role Is Eligible To Be Hybrid *This position is Exempt Policymaking and is EXEMPT from certain provisions of the State Human Resources Act (GS 126). This position serves at the pleasure of agency leadership. * Per G.S. 126-5(cl) (37), this position is Exempt from all provisions of NC General Statute Chapter 126 (State Human Resources Act) with the exception of Articles 6 and 7. About the Office of the Secretary The Office of the Secretary serves as the executive leadership arm of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), guiding the Department’s mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. Through strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, the Secretary’s Office supports the effective coordination of over a dozen core divisions, ensuring that agency-wide priorities are aligned, resources are used responsibly, and services are delivered with equity and impact. About DHHS Office of Communications The Office of Communications is the central press, public relations, marketing and communications section for DHHS. Through outreach materials, news releases, interviews, fact sheets, web pages, and other publications, the staff in this unit helps the public understand programs and issues. This office is the liaison with the news media and assists department staff with development of media and communications strategies to handle special events and crises and other communication to citizens and key stakeholder groups. Compensatio