Communications Director

The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences. King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community. We are looking for an experienced, strategic, collaborative, responsive, enthusiastic communications professional who shares in the mission to provide equitable opportunities for all people across our region to join our leadership team. The Communications Director is assigned to the DCHS Director’s Office and will support the DCHS Department Director and oversee the DCHS communications team. The Communications Director will provide leadership in media relations, including providing and coordinating training for senior leadership and communications staff and provide consultation on both proactive and reactive media strategies. The Communications Director also coordinates, and strategizes with the Executive Office, the Director’s Office and the five division directors within DCHS on communications priorities. The full-time, permanent position oversees development and implementation of internal and external communications strategies. The Communications Director will oversee a team of and work on a broad portfolio of human services issues, including affordable housing, behavioral health, homelessness, and other related issue areas. The Communications Director reports to the Departments’ Director of External Affairs in the Director’s Office. The successful candidate will play a lead role in developing and launching communications plans, strategies, initiatives. The person in this role will be a strategic thought partner, bring outstanding relationship-building skills and demonstrate commitment to collaboration. A commitment to equity and social justice principles, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are critical to success. Top-tier candidates will possess leadership skills, ability to manage projects and teams, understand how to build and foster effective relationships, communicate with transparency and clarity, and work in a complex and constantly evolving environment. WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around 1/27/2025. APPLICATION PROCESS: If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy: NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process) Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process) Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. MISSION CRITICAL POSITION STATUS: This position has been designated Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT: Work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations . King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. RECRUITER: Greg Mallory, grmallory@kingcounty.gov The Communications Director will bring exceptional skills, experience, and leadership to the DCHS Director’s Office and the DCHS Communications Team to lead proactive, strategic communications that educate and inform media, members of the public, and other interested parties about the programs and services available to assist children, youth, adults, families and communities across King County. Lead strategy, development and implementation of communications plans with the Director’s Office. Establish procedures, protocols, methods and metrics for communicating with the public and key partners, in collaboration with subject matter experts throughout the department and in other agencies. Partner with the Executive’s Office to plan, develop, and execute strategic communications countywide on DCHS issues, including housing, behavioral health and the County’s major human services initiatives. Advise the Executive’s Office regarding media strategy, communication plans and announcements for DCHS. Lead internal and external communications for DCHS Oversee development and implementation of communications strategies across internal and external communications, including news media relations, digital media, website management, multimedia, and internal departmental information sharing. Review department-wide messaging to ensure communications are aligned with Director’s Office and Executive Office initiatives. Provide guidance and direction to leaders across the department on formulating and providing external communications. Create communications strategy and tools Oversee development and implementation of communications strategies across internal and external communications, including news media relations, digital media, website management, multimedia, and internal departmental information sharing. Write or supervise writing of speeches, op-eds, news releases, online content, and other external and internal communications. Lead all media relations functions for the office including serving as liaison and spokesperson to the news media, responding to media inquiries, planning and executing press conferences and other media availability, and tracking media trends. Draft and finalize talking points for speeches and media availability for the Executive, Department Director and other department spokespersons. Train and advise department spokespersons. Establish procedures, protocols, methods and metrics for communicating with the public and key stakeholders, in collaboration with subject matter experts throughout the department and in other agencies. Manage a team of approximately six staff. Oversee responses to requests from the general public and external partners. Perform other related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Ten years of recent experience creating, implementing and leading strategic communications efforts in a government and/or nonprofit organization Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism or Marketing Communication and/or related experience Experience writing powerful stories and composing narratives in plain talk, conversational tone Demonstrated knowledge and experience working directly with local media outlets, broadcast news, and independent media. Excellent written and public speaking skills Knowledge of communications principles, tools and strategies Knowledge of and recent experience with digital media Decision-making and problem-solving skills Skills in resolving conflict, making decisions, solving problems, collaborating and negotiating Skills in understanding and translating technical subject matter and terminology into compelling narratives for lay audiences and the public Skills in setting priorities, influencing staff, persuading co-workers and others Skill in thinking strategically Skill in listening effectively Ability to research and analyze Desired Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills: Knowledge of and experience with local government and the political process Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures Coaching and mentoring skills Skills in organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple programs and projects to meet numerous non-negotiable deadlines Skills in reading and interpreting programs, laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state and local agencies Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and #J-18808-Ljbffr