COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

POSITION DUTIES

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to promote the Department’s policy initiatives and activities in alignment with Longevity Ready Maryland, the Secretary’s goals, the Governor’s goals, and other major initiatives.
• Work closely with MDOA’s leadership, policy, planning, and legislative teams to translate complex policies and goals into a communications architecture that influences federal, state, local, philanthropic, private sector, aging network, and internal partners.
• Analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns and digital analytics to ensure strategic messaging goals are consistently met.
• Develop, with the Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, a budget related to the Department’s general communications activities that align with leadership priorities and initiatives.
• Serve as the primary communications liaison to the Governor’s Office Communications team, ensuring seamless coordination, alignment of messaging, and prompt responses to Governor’s office requests.
• Write and edit high-level executive communications, including crafting all talking points and speeches, presentation visuals, and briefing materials for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Governor’s Office.
• Direct proactive media relations and public relations activities, including writing and distributing press releases, public services announcements and articles, responding to media and Public Information Act (PIA) requests, and creating thought-leadership content to promote the work of the Department.
• Manage timely, accurate, and strategic responses to all media inquiries.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with other state agencies, aging network partners, and media partners to further cement communication linkages and coordinate joint public relations activities.
• Represent the Department at high-level meetings, media events, and public functions as the Public Information Officer (PIO) or on behalf of the Secretary.
• Direct and supervise the communications team, fostering a collaborative environment focused on producing high-quality, policy-driven content that successfully implements the communications strategy.
• Oversee the production of ongoing content and design for the Department’s website, social media channels, newsletters, eBlasts, other collateral, and targeted publications, to be circulated to stakeholders across the State, in alignment with the communications strategy, including management of associated software platforms.
• Guide the creation of polished communications products and digital interfaces that meet users where they are, respecting their preferred devices, platforms, languages, and literacy levels.
• Oversee adherence to accessibility standards (including full 508 compliance and website modernization) and ensure the communications team integrates standards into all digital interfaces and polished communications products.
• Establish and enforce department-wide quality assurance protocols for all public-facing and internal materials. Oversee communications team guidance, resources, and training to all agency staff on approved brand templates, acceptable language, and inclusive messaging that align with the communications strategy and LRM.
• Develop, implement, and train staff on MDoA’s internal and external communications policies and procedures.
• Establish procedures for the communications team review of all Department communication, including staff presentations, digital collateral, and social media content, to maintain rigorous quality control, high standards of consistency, and strict adherence to MDOA branding before publishing.
• Ensure a calendar of outreach activities and events, including annual conferences and similar events, and assure all outreach materials are produced and printed is maintained within the communications team.
• Ensure work is implemented and completed accurately and timely.
• Serve as the Department’s Public Information Officer and respond swiftly during emergencies.
• Direct the communications team to create and publish content as needed to amplify messaging and raise awareness, in coordination with MDOA Emergency Management Coordinators. Participate in Statewide Emergency Management (SWEM) calls related to emergency preparedness and state emergency operations as scheduled.
• Manage special initiatives assigned by Leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Chief of Staff, or Supervisor. This position may require site visits to network and partner sites across Maryland.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Developing and implementing an effective communications & content strategy in a local, state or federal government agency.
• Experience in public relations and media engagement which will include crisis communications and management.
• Experience writing executive level speeches, press releases, memorandum and other related content.
• Experience applying digital accessibility best practices and Section 508 compliance to creating accessible web content, print materials, and digital communications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

BENEFITS

• STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS