Director of Public Affairs & Communications

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) seeks a Director of Public Affairs & Communications to lead all Medicaid communications and public affairs initiatives. You will develop and execute strategic messaging for agency priorities and serve as the primary spokesperson for the department.

This role requires translating complex policy into clear, accessible communications for diverse audiences, coordinating with internal teams, monitoring media coverage, and guiding communications

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing and executing strategic communication and outreach plans for program initiatives.
• Extensive experience serving as a senior‑level communications professional in government or complex organizations (e.g., press secretary, communications director).
• Extensive experience facilitating meetings with external stakeholders and advocacy groups.
• Extensive experience creating outreach content aligned with program objectives across multiple channels, with accessibility in mind.
• Extensive experience with computer software including Microsoft Office.
• Extensive experience interpreting and applying public federal and state laws/regulations.
• Extensive experience meeting deadlines.
• Extensive experience managing stakeholder relationships and coordinating cross-functional collaboration.
• Extensive experience using data‑driven insights to refine communications strategies and generate executive-level reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic leadership for communications and public affairs activities for DMAS.
• Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies for agency priorities and initiatives.
• Serve as the primary agency spokesperson and media representative for diverse audiences.
• Translate complex Medicaid policies into clear, accessible messages.
• Lead communications during high-profile initiatives, emergencies, and policy changes.
• Provide strategic counsel on communications risks, messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop proactive communication strategies explaining policy and implementation work clearly.
• Draft and oversee talking points, press statements, op-eds, briefing memos, and rapid response materials.
• Coordinate messaging with HHR Communications team and translate policy details for legislators and the public.
• Track media coverage and adjust strategy as needed.
• Support coordination between policy, program, and communications teams.

Skills

Strategic communication

Public affairs leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven insights

Executive reporting

Policy interpretation

Meetings with external groups

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Director of Public Affairs & Communications

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr IV

Hiring Range: $132,000 - $150,000

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Dept of Med Assistance Svcs

Location: Dept of Medical Asst Services

Agency Website: www.dmas.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

• The Virginia Medicaid Public Affairs & Communications Director provides strategic leadership for all communications and public affairs activities for the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS).
• The position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies that advance the agency's mission, priorities, programs, and initiatives.
• The Public Affairs and Communications Director serves as a primary agency spokesperson and media representative, communicating with news organizations, legislators, members, providers, advocates, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• The position ensures that complex Medicaid policies, program changes, benefits, requirements, and agency initiatives are communicated clearly, accurately, consistently, and in a manner accessible to diverse audiences.
• The position leads communications during high-profile initiatives, policy changes, emergencies, and other issues that may significantly affect Medicaid members, providers, or the Commonwealth.
• The position also develops executive communications and provides strategic counsel to agency leadership on communications risks, opportunities, messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
• This position develops and executes a proactive communications strategy that explains complex policy and implementation work in clear, accessible terms.
• Draft and oversee key communications products, including talking points, press statements, op eds, briefing memos, rapid response materials.
• Coordinate messaging with HHR Communications team.
• Translate technical policy and implementation details into messages that resonate with legislators, local leaders, providers, and the public.
• Track media coverage and public narrative related to Secretariat priorities and adjust strategy as needed.
• Support coordination between policy, program, and communications teams to ensure messaging reflects execution reality.
• The business needs of the position will have in office requirements to include but are not limited to in-person meetings, external and internal stakeholder meetings, and press appearances as needed.
• Located in beautiful Central Virginia, the Richmond area puts you just 2 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Beach and Washington DC. To learn more about the Richmond, VA area visit: https://www.virginia.org/
• The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is working to improve the health and well‑being of Virginians through access to high‑quality health care coverage.
• DMAS wants talented individuals who can align their experience with the mission of the agency and its core values – service, collaboration, trust, problem solving and adaptability.
• At the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) we encourage and promote that you Come as you are | Become who you want to be | That is our promise.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing and executing strategic communication and outreach plans for program initiatives.
• Extensive experience serving as a senior‑level communications professional in government or complex organizations, such as press secretary, communications director, or senior communications advisor.
• Extensive experience facilitating meetings with external stakeholders and advocacy groups.
• Extensive experience creating and delivering outreach content that is aligned with program objectives to include accessibility for a variety of audiences across multiple outreach channels.
• Extensive experience with computer software including Microsoft Office.
• Extensive experience analyzing, interpreting, and applying public federal and state laws/regulations.
• Extensive experience meeting deadlines.
• Extensive experience managing internal/external stakeholder relationships and coordinating cross functional collaboration across multiple organizations.
• Extensive experience using data‑driven insights to refine communications strategies and generating executive‑level reports and briefings.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with the member‑centered program design and access.
• Considerable experience planning and directing program activities.
• Considerable experience analyzing data.
• Considerable experience resolving problems.

Special Instructions

• The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) does not offer employment‑based Sponsorship, to include participation in STEM‑OPT programs or similar programs. Selected candidates will have their work authorization completed using the E‑Verify Program.
• The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is an Executive Branch agency that will adhere to all policies and procedures, to include the Commonwealth’s Department of Human Resource Management Policy 1.61 Teleworking. This position could be expected to work in the office as driven by business needs.
• Telework arrangements are a privilege and may be rescinded at any time based on performance and/or business need. The agency reserves the right to modify or terminate a telework arrangement, provided that reasonable notice is given to the employee.
• This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, Education Checks if applicable, Work History Verification with references.
• This position requires the submission of a Statement of Economic Interest (financial disclosure).
• The Department of Medical Assistance Services practices fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
• In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service‑Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.
• From July 1, 2026, through January 21, 2029, applicants who were involuntarily separated from employment with the Federal Government on or after January 1, 2025, due to a reduction in force, budget reduction, or workforce restructuring initiative may be eligible for HB494 Federal Employee Priority Consideration. Applicants seeking HB494 Federal Employee Priority Consideration must identify themselves within the state application process and provide supporting documentation, including a Standard Form 50 (SF‑50), verifying their eligibility.
• The Department of Medical Assistance Services is a V3 certified state agency that provides hiring preference to veterans and members of the reserves and/or National Guard in support of executive order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Spouse of a Veteran or Active Military Member, DMAS encourages you to apply and respond accordingly on your state application.
• Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: DMAS Talent Acquisition

Phone: 804 - 225 - 4407

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.