Comptroller - Director of Communications and Information Services

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Comptroller's Office seeks a seasoned communications leader to oversee media relations, briefing executives, and shaping public messaging. You will direct a diverse team, manage budgets, and coordinate legislative responses while advancing the agency's communications strategy.

Responsibilities include developing talking points, planning press events, and guiding digital content and editorial initiatives to inform and engage stakeholders across Texas.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in communications or public policy in government, corporate communications, political campaigns, news media, or a marketing/advertising agency.
• One (1) year of experience managing and supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience with excellent writing skills across a range of formats and styles, and strong verbal communication, including public speaking, presentations, and pitching.

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations activities end to end, including writing and distributing press releases, pitching and coordinating media engagements, and building relationships with local, state, and national news outlets.
• Plan and execute press conferences and coordinate media interviews for executive staff and other agency leadership.
• Develop issue-based talking points and coordinate the agency’s responses to media, stakeholder, and legislative inquiries.
• Manage a diverse communications team, including hiring, performance management, staffing decisions.
• Administration and management of the division’s budget and resources.
• Participate in activities related to the legislative process including providing legislative testimony and oversee the implementation of legislative changes.
• Direct the agency’s digital presence, including management of the website, social media strategy, and written and audio/visual digital content.
• Lead the development of opinion and editorial pieces prepared on behalf of the agency and its leadership.
• Serve as a key strategic advisor to executive leadership, ensuring agency policies, initiatives, and priorities are communicated clearly, accurately, and effectively to external and internal audiences.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

Media relations

Public speaking

Writing skills

Verbal communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Agency Information

We endeavor to maintain timely communication with all applicants by updating application statuses as promptly as possible. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about your application, please log in to the CAPPS application portal regularly to monitor status changes or updates.

Please note that this job posting can be closed without notice and earlier than the closing date indicated in the posting if a suitable candidate is found. We encourage applicants to submit and complete the application promptly.

Are you ready to grow and make a positive impact?

If you are seeking to gain knowledge, build your career, and network among goal-oriented professionals, this is the place for you!

Innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence drive the culture here at the Comptroller¿s Office. We take pride in the work we do serving as State¿s accountant, tax collector, treasurer, and much more! The Comptroller¿s office serves virtually every citizen in the state. As Texas¿ chief tax collector, accountant, revenue estimator, treasurer and purchasing manager, the agency is responsible for writing the checks and keeping the books for the multi-billion-dollar business of state government.

Our agency workforce is as diverse as the people of Texas we serve. We value our employees and take our collective commitment to public service very seriously. Personal development opportunities are strongly encouraged through available workshops, teambuilding exercises, and on the job training. We offer flexible scheduling that helps employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Click here to see an inside look at the Texas Comptroller¿s office

About The Division

The Communications and Information Services (CIS) Division provides a variety of professional creative, media and technology services for the Comptroller's office. We design, develop and maintain the Comptroller¿s website; write, edit and produce campaigns, publications and reports; provide Spanish translation services; develop high-quality multimedia marketing materials; manage agency social media accounts; and serve as the Comptroller¿s press liaison. Learn more about our teams.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday. May occasionally work evenings, weekends, or holidays. Hours may change based on business needs.

Education

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor¿s degree.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor¿s degree.

Preferred Education

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor¿s degree in journalism, English, public relations, political science, marketing, advertising or a related field.

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience in communications or public policy ¿ in government (state, federal, or local), corporate communications, political campaigns, news media, or a marketing/advertising agency.
• One (1) year of experience managing and supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience with excellent writing skills across a range of formats and styles, and strong verbal communication, including public speaking, presentations, and pitching.

Preferred Experience

• Ability to use AI to measure and improve efficiency within the Division

Substitution

• One additional year of experience in communications or public policy may substitute for thirty semester hours of educational requirement with a maximum substitution of 120 semester hours (four years).

Licenses and Certifications

• A valid Texas (or state of residency) driver¿s license and a satisfactory driving record are a condition of employment. Applicants offered an interview must present the following documents at or before the interview: A state issued driving record for the last 36 months; valid Texas driver¿s license (or state of residency driver¿s license); and current proof of automobile insurance.

In This Role You Will

• Lead media relations activities end to end, including writing and distributing press releases, pitching and coordinating media engagements, and building relationships with local, state, and national news outlets.
• Plan and execute press conferences and coordinate media interviews for executive staff and other agency leadership.
• Develop issue¿based talking points and coordinate the agency¿s responses to media, stakeholder, and legislative inquiries.
• Manage a diverse communications team, including hiring, performance management, staffing decisions.
• Administration and management of the division¿s budget and resources.
• Participate in activities related to the legislative process including providing legislative testimony and oversee the implementation of legislative changes.
• Direct the agency¿s digital presence, including management of the website, social media strategy, and written and audio/visual digital content.
• Lead the development of opinion and editorial pieces prepared on behalf of the agency and its leadership.
• Serve as a key strategic advisor to executive leadership, ensuring agency policies, initiatives, and priorities are communicated clearly, accurately, and effectively to external and internal audiences.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Maximize Your Earnings!

At the Comptroller's office, we know potential employees are looking for more than just a paycheck. The agency offers a strong benefits package for you and your family. Insurance, retirement plans, and a flexible work schedule are just the start. See our benefits offering

If you are seeking to gain knowledge, build your career, and network among goal-oriented professionals, this is the place for you!

Important Note To The Candidate

Salary is contingent upon qualifications. If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

MILITARY PREFERENCE

To receive MILITARY PREFERENCE, you are required to provide proof by attaching the necessary documentation to this job application.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

Click on the occupational category for the position.

Additional MOS can be found at the State Auditor¿s Office,

Military Crosswalk Guide.

The Texas Veterans Commission provides helpful employment information. Go to: http://www.texasskillstowork.com, http://www.onetonline.org, https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/ or www.careeronestop.org for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements and skill sets.

The Comptroller¿s Office is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity.

Applicants must submit both a résumé and a completed application to be considered. Both documents should include sufficient work history to assess qualifications.

An applicant must be eligible to work in the United States to be hired at the Comptroller¿s office and must remain eligible, without sponsorship or any assurance of financial or other assistance from this agency, during the term of their employment.