Digital Communications Manager

Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 78,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin seeks a Digital Communications Manager to lead multimedia campaigns, branding, and public health messaging for internal and external audiences. Under the Communications Director, you will shape strategy, supervise teams, and ensure consistency with agency mission.

The role requires advanced writing, editing, and leadership, with hands-on experience in social media, video, and web content.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in communications or related field is preferred.
• Experience in multimedia communications development and execution is expected.
• Ability to manage branding and social media initiatives across campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Provide managerial direction for communications unit and agency public awareness campaigns.
• Oversee development and dissemination of content across social media, video, and web platforms.
• Coordinate with leadership and departments to ensure consistent messaging and brand standards.
• Monitor budgets and schedule for campaigns and projects.

Skills

Public communications strategy

Brand management

Social media management

Advanced writing

Project management

Leadership

Public speaking

AP Stylebook

Plain language

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Tools

Microsoft Office

Graphic design/editing tools

Job description

Date: Aug 14, 2026

Location: AUSTIN, TX

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: Digital Communications Manager Job Title: Manager IV Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Communications Posting Number: 20107 Closing Date: 08/28/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, Media Salary Range: $7,000.00 - $7,939.00 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 Shift: Day

Additional Shift

Telework:

Travel

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)

Other Locations: 0203,0207,0302,0520,0602,0802,1802,5502,6302,6502,7202,7208,7210,7220,111X,112X,113X,114X,16GX,41AX 611X,612X,631X,632X,641X,648X,86M0,86P0,8U000,9G100,SEI15

Under the general direction of the DSHS Communications Director, establishes communication goals and objectives for agency’s multimedia efforts. The position is responsible for coordination and implementation of DSHS multimedia, brand strategy, and marketing campaigns related to public awareness of health issues, health promotion, health education and DSHS services. Ensures branding and multimedia communication strategies align with the agency’s mission, comply with agency policy, and are reflective of the agency’s services.

Provides thought leadership to Communications Director, Chief of Staff, and DSHS leadership. Drives innovation, best practices and strategy related to public health communications and brand. This position provides highly advanced managerial support to the Communications Director on projects related to strategic planning and special initiatives. The role requires strategic thinking, excellent interpersonal skills and ease with executives, high emotional intelligence, and exceptional writing/content development skills.

Manages day-to-day activities of DSHS marketing and multimedia teams and others as directed, managing workflow and project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.

Prepares management and productivity reports; and reviews and approves work products developed by employees to ensure professional quality and appearance, appropriate content, consistency, and responsiveness. Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations to improve operations. Develops, oversees, manages DSHS social media standards and policy. Develops and evaluates communication-related budget requests, monitors budget expenditures, and makes adjustments as necessary. Assists with planning and implementation of special projects as needed. The position works under general direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. As part of agency emergency response, will be required to work extended or alternate hours during a public health emergency.

Essential Job Functions

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy, and performs other duties as assigned.

(35%)

• Under direction of Communications Director, provide managerial support, leadership and strategic direction for the Communications Unit and agency public awareness campaigns.
• Advises DSHS leadership and all levels of staff on strategies, policies and protocol for communicating effectively with the public via the most appropriate methods including but not limited to: videos, radio, social media, websites, print or other materials.
• Provide highly-advanced managerial support to the Communications Director on marketing and multimedia projects.
• Provide key branding and strategy input for agency-wide communication campaigns and initiatives. Work with Communications Director to oversee market research and campaign efforts (including developing campaigns, advising program areas, approving content and evaluating performance) to ensure consistency with the overall DSHS communication strategy.
• Drive innovation, best practices and strategy related to DSHS public health communication and branding.
• Build DSHS brand and reputation, especially as a digitally forward agency.
• Build and coordinate Communications team organization, workflow and outputs.
• Assist Communications Director with departmental and campaign-related budget oversight.
• Coordinate with HHS system to ensure consistency in communications.
• Coordinate with Media Relations and Governmental Affairs units on dissemination of critical public health communications, and ensure information released by DSHS is accurate, timely and consistent with overall DSHS messaging.

(35%)

• Develop, oversee and evaluate long-term goals and strategies for new media initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day work of marketing and multimedia teams and others as directed, managing workflow and project timelines, milestones, deliverables.
• Monitor staff performance and conduct annual performance reviews.
• Expand and oversee DSHS video, motion graphics and animation capacity.
• Oversee work of social media team related to online conversations, trends and emerging topics regarding public health issues on behalf of the agency and in accordance with DSHS policy.
• Oversee content development, in coordination with DSHS programs and contractors, for use in social media platforms to compliment agency public and stakeholder communications regarding public awareness of health issues, health promotion, health education and DSHS services.
• Ensure DSHS social media accounts are compliant with applicable HHS and DSHS social medial policies.
• Partner with agency departments to provide technical assistance regarding appropriate use of online material, messaging and consistency of posts across the agency to ensure relevance with DSHS mission and DSHS and HHSC Enterprise social media policy and procedures.

(25%)

• Create, advise and/or oversee the development of communication products such as social media posts, articles, special features, executive communications, PowerPoint presentations, advertising copy, announcements, videos, newsletters, correspondence and reports. Ensures they are edited, distributed and posted as appropriate.
• Collaborates with and support other Chief of Staff functions and activities including Media Relations, Government Affairs and Office of Compliance and System Coordination as needed.

(5%)

• Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but is not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations relevant to communication strategies, including online, and limited-English proficiency and their use within the public sector.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Knowledge of branding and social media trends, platforms and measurement tools.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic communications, social media, social marketing, emerging media communications.

Knowledge of accessibility standards required to comply with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act.

Knowledge of current marketing practices and principles.

Knowledge of AP Stylebook and Plain Language principles.

Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Skill in operation of a computer and applicable software related to communication, graphic design.

Skill in advanced writing, composition, and editing.

Skill with Microsoft Office products and graphics design/editing tools.

Skill in leading teams for successful outcomes.

Skill in project management, managing multiple and competing priorities and projects.

Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives and implementing solutions.

Skill in written and oral communication and public speaking.

Skill in AP Stylebook, plain language principles and writing.

Skill in developing collaborative working relationships with diverse cross-functional groups.

Skill in strategic communication planning.

Ability to manage multimedia team activities.

Ability to establish goals and objectives related to strategic planning, communications, management.

Ability to creatively synthesize information from a variety of sources to address questions and problems.

Ability to supervise the work of others.

Ability to communicate effectively and prepare reports.

Ability to devise solutions to administrative problems.

Ability to track numerous projects at different development stages from conceptualization to final product.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other government officials and the public.

Ability to develop marketing strategies and to communicate them effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Licensure, Certification, Or Registration Required

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria

A minimum of five years of experience in multimedia communications development and execution.

• Experience with brand and public awareness campaigns
• Experience with managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience planning and implementing communication strategies, including content and programs aimed at both internal and external audiences.
• Experience in writing, editing and overseeing content production in a wide variety of formats, including print, digital, video and social media.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in communications or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, And Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in