Communications and Change Officer

State of Iowa; Ankeny, Iowa (IA, LA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

IPERS Retirement

Paid time off

9 paid holidays per year

401A plan with employer contributions

Employee discount programs

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) seeks a dynamic Communications and Change Officer to lead the division's communications strategy, drive change initiatives, and manage digital presence. This role partners with the MVD Director and oversees internal and external communications, ensuring transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Travel both in-state and out-of-state is occasional.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in organizational change management and strategic communications.
• Ability to develop and execute cross‑agency communication plans for internal and external audiences.
• Experience aligning communication strategies with modernization and policy initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead organizational change management using frameworks like ADKAR and Prosci.
• Develop and execute communication strategies for internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee MVD's digital presence, web content, and publications; coordinate with External Communications Team.
• Support travel and collaboration across in‑state and out‑of‑state engagements.

Skills

Change management

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector communications

Digital presence management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or public administration

Tools

ADKAR

Prosci

Web content management

Job description

The Iowa Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is seeking a dynamic and strategic Communications and Change Officer to join our leadership team!

The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Iowa DOT is a high-visibility agency that serves millions of customers each year, supported by more than 300 employees and 600 county partners. With major modernization efforts underway and frequent policy changes shaping our work, MVD needs a dedicated leader to drive consistent, strategic communication across stakeholders, customers, and staff. This role centralizes critical marketing, digital, and internal communication functions to strengthen public trust and support MVD's goal of becoming a role model in government service nationwide. This role is pivotal in driving organizational change, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and ensuring consistent, transparent communication across internal and external audiences all while fulfilling the Iowa DOT's Mission of Making Lives Better Through Transportation.

As a direct partner to the MVD Director, this role will lead the division's communications strategy, oversee change management initiatives, and manage MVD's digital presence, concurrently demonstrating actions and behaviors guided by the five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

This position will have occasional in-state and out-of-state travel required.

In this high-visibility, fast-paced environment, this role will work with the MVD Director on:

Organizational Change Management

• Lead change management efforts using frameworks like ADKAR and Prosci.
• Develop and implement change management tools, templates, and training.
• Conduct stakeholder analyses and readiness assessments.
• Measure and report on change adoption and effectiveness.
• Serve as the OCM lead for the MVD360 modernization project.

Strategic Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and execute communication strategies for internal and external stakeholders.
• Engage high-impact stakeholders as part of major change and policy initiatives.
• Create messaging for legislative, regulatory, and modernization initiatives.
• Draft speeches, talking points, and executive communications for the MVD Director.
• Facilitate division-wide webinars and stakeholder engagement sessions.

Website, Marketing, and Publication Management

• Oversee MVD's web content and digital strategy.
• Coordinate with the Iowa DOT External Communications Team.
• Manage internal and external publications, press releases, and outreach campaigns.
• Maintain a comprehensive communications and events calendar.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [e-mail].

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

As part of the application, please submit a real-world writing sample that demonstrates your ability to communicate a change, project, or initiative to a large group of individuals or an external stakeholder audience. Along with the sample, please provide a brief explanation of the following:

1. Context (=100 words):What organization or team the communication was for, the goal or organizational outcome you were supporting, and who the intended audience/stakeholders were.

1. Purpose (=50 words):What you hoped the communication would accomplish, both in the moment and more broadly, and what the ultimate desired outcome was.

1. Process (=150 words):How you developed the communication (audience analysis, key messages, review/collaboration steps, drafting/editing/revision tools/software or process, approvals, and how you anticipated impact).

Please note, responses will be screened for AI assistance.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to four years of full-time professional-level work in program administration, program development, program operations, or management.

2) A total of eight years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.

3) All of the following (a, b, and c): a. Two years of full-time professional-level work experience in program administration, program development, program operations, or management; and b. A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and c. A total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, public health, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as an Executive Officer 1 or comparable specific management-level position.