Deputy Communications Director

Illinoiscomptroller; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 112,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Health, Life, Vision, and Dental保险

Pension Plan

Job summary

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is seeking a Deputy Communications Director to lead the agency’s internal and external communications efforts. You will help organize, plan, execute and evaluate the communications team's operations and support federal initiatives under new regulations.

The ideal candidate has strong writing, leadership, and organizational skills, with experience in public affairs and managing communications strategies for public or private entities.

Qualifications

• Requires four years of college with coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, or liberal arts.
• Requires four years of related admin experience in media relations, communications, public affairs.
• Preferred: four years managing a communications strategy for a public or business organization.
• Preferred: four years in a public-facing role presenting or communicating for an organization.

Responsibilities

• Assist with statewide marketing and communications for new federal requirements.
• Develop statewide public communications, including the agency website and social channels.
• Prepare materials and support events, press engagements, hearings and other events.
• Represent the HFS communications director in collaborations with the Governor’s Office and other agencies.
• Serve as a full line supervisor and perform other duties within scope.

Skills

Public communications

Media relations

Public affairs

Marketing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism/communications/marketing

Job description

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We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID:58758
BPIS: 07837

Opening Date:09/15/2026
Closing Date: 09/29/2026
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Class Title:SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option:General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $10,000 - $12,000/mo.
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:None
Merit Comp Code:Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: It is required that a person reports to the headquarters on this job position as necessary (could be weekly, monthly, or other schedule) dependent on operational need
Headquarter Location: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is seeking a motivated professional to serve as the Deputy Communications Director. Reporting directly to the Director of Communications, the Deputy Communications Director will serve as a policy-making official and will assist the Director of Communications with leading the agency’s internal and external communications efforts, which include organizing, planning, executing, controlling and evaluating the communications team’s operations. The Deputy Communications Director will also help lead and execute communication strategies related to federal Public Law 119‑21 (known as H.R.1 or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) initiatives, with a focus on federal regulatory and administrative program requirements, ensuring consistent, accurate, and accessible information is provided to internal and external stakeholders impacted by the new federal regulations and administrative program changes.

The ideal candidate will exhibit strong attention to detail, demonstrate leadership skills to achieve set goals while demonstrating independent initiatives and strong interpersonal skills and experience setting and meeting short and long-term deadlines. Strong writing and organizational skills are critical for this position.

HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Essential Functions

• Subject to management approval, serving as the Deputy Communications Director for the Illinois Department ofHealthcare and Family Services (HFS), and under the direction of the Director of Communications
• Assists with statewide marketing efforts, including but not limited to ongoing customer and stakeholdercommunications related to the Department’s implementation of new federal requirements
• Provides input and support to the HFS Communications Director in the development and implementation ofstatewide public communications, including, but not limited to, creating and overseeing content on the agency’spublic website and social media channels
• Prepares materials for and drives or travels to attend, support, and provide guidance on special events, includingbut not limited to press engagements, legislative hearings, the Springfield and DuQuoin State Fairs, and otherevents as assigned
• Serves as a representative of the HFS Communications Director in collaborating with the Governor’s Office andother government agencies regarding highly sensitive, complex responses, reaffirming the Department’s position onsensitive and controversial issues
• Serves as a full line supervisor
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumeratedabove

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework injournalism, communications, marketing, or liberal arts
• Requires four (4) years of related administrative experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, or a comparable field

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience managing a communications strategy for a public or business organization
• Four (4) years of professional experience in a public-facing role presenting, delivering or communicating on behalf of a public or business organization
• Four (4) years of professional experience in the management or implementation of a marketing plan for a public or business organization
• Four (4) years of professional experience planning, organizing, and conducting special events for a public or business organization
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or marketing

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends
• Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job
  description

About the Agency

At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.

HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.HFS is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits Statement

Employees receive a robust benefit package including:

• Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
• Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
• New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
• Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
• (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

Statement of Economic Interest:

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: