COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR (DESIGNATED ADMIN MANAGER II)

Introduction

The Maryland Department of Aging helps establish Maryland as an attractive location for all older adults through vibrant communities and supportive services that offer the opportunity to live healthy and meaningful lives. Through action, investment, leadership, and reform, the Department will create a society in which all older Marylanders can lead lives that are healthy, financially secure, socially connected, and purposeful throughout their full lifespan.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Maryland Department of Aging is seeking a Communications Director.\r\n\r\n\r\n***This is a political special appointment position which serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority***\r\n\r\n

GRADE

STD0020\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

36 S. Charles Street\r\nBaltimore, Maryland� 21201\r\n

POSITION DUTIES

This position will serve as the Communications Director for the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA). The Communications Director is an agency leadership-level role that will be both a strategist and an operator. This role is responsible for developing and implementing a proactive, policy-driven strategic communications plan and refining of the agency’s voice and positioning to advance MDOA’s mission and Longevity Ready Maryland. This involves developing an engagement strategy, detailing plans to use a longevity lens to guide and influence our federal, state, local, philanthropic, private sector, aging network, and internal partners.�\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Communications Director will oversee and guide a communications team who will implement the communications strategy by producing high-quality content, ensuring that our visual design, content strategy, accessibility, outreach activities, and information architecture are aligned with our mission, design, brand, and agency policy goals.�\r\n\r\n\r\nA central function of this role is high-level leadership support and media engagement as the lead writer for the agency, creating compelling press releases, strategic talking points, presentation materials, and speeches for leadership. Furthermore, the Communications Director manages public relations efforts and serves as the primary communications liaison to the Governor’s Office.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStrategic Communications and Policy Alignment\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n 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.�\r\n Analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns and digital analytics to ensure strategic messaging goals are consistently met.\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic Relations, Media Engagement, and Executive Writing\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.\r\n Manage timely, accurate, and strategic responses to all media inquiries.\r\n 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.\r\n Represent the Department at high-level meetings, media events, and public functions as the Public Information Officer (PIO) or on behalf of the Secretary.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInternal Leadership and Oversight of Strategy Implementation\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Direct and supervise the communications team, fostering a collaborative environment focused on producing high-quality, policy-driven content that successfully implements the communications strategy.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n Develop, implement, and train staff on MDoA’s internal and external communications policies and procedures.\r\n 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.\r\n 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.\r\n Ensure work is implemented and completed accurately and timely.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOther Assigned Duties�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Serve as the Department’s Public Information Officer and respond swiftly during emergencies.\r\n 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.�\r\n Manage special initiatives assigned by Leadership.\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

\r\nEducation:� A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a closely related field.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nExperience:� Three years of experience developing and implementing communications and content strategy to include public relations and responding to media requests. One of the three years must include supervising communications professionals.\r\n\r\n\r\nNote: An additional 2 years of experience developing and implementing�communications and content strategy to include public relations and responding to media requests�may substitute for the required education.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates who have one� (1) year experience in one or more of the following.�Include clear and specific information on your application regarding the qualifications.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Developing and implementing an effective communications & content strategy in a local, state or federal government agency.\r\n Experience in public relations and media engagement which will include crisis communications and management.\r\n Experience writing executive level speeches, press releases, memorandum and other related content.\r\n Experience applying digital accessibility best practices and Section 508 compliance to creating accessible web content, print materials, and digital communications.\r\n\r\n\r\n

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.�It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.�Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.\r\n

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201.�\r\n\r\n\r\nPaper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.�\r\n\r\n\r\nResumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.�\r\n\r\n\r\nFor questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.�\r\n\r\n\r\nWe thank our Veterans for their service to our country.�\r\n\r\n\r\nPeople with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.\r\n