External Relations Manager

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Revenue, Lottery Division, seeks a Public Service Manager 1 to lead external relations and communications. You will act as the division’s spokesperson and brand ambassador, directing a team and shaping messaging for high-impact issues.

Ideal candidates bring media relations expertise, strategic communications experience, and the ability to lead a team. On-site at the Hoover Building in Des Moines with flexible remote opportunities as business needs allow.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with relevant experience.
• Eight years of full-time experience in program administration, development, management, or operations.
• Combination of education and experience per CPM equivalency rules.
• Two years of experience plus appropriate education/Graduate-level education per guidance.
• Current experience in the state executive branch with at least one year in a management-level role.

Responsibilities

• Execute the Lottery’s internal and external communications program.
• Serve as the Lottery Division’s spokesperson and brand ambassador.
• Supervise External Relations team and drive a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Advise executive leadership on strategic opportunities and emerging risks.

Skills

Media relations

Press releases

Spokesperson

Strategic communication

Social media content

Team leadership

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Iowa CPM equivalency

Job description

This is a non-merit position. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Department of Revenue’s Lottery Division is currently seeking a Public Service Manager 1 to serve as the External Relations Manager. The Lottery Division provides responsible entertainment and prizes to the public, generating revenue for state programs, including support for veterans, economic development, law enforcement, education, and agriculture.

In this position you will:

• Execute the Lottery’s internal and external communications program
• Act as the Lottery Division’s spokesperson and serve as a brand ambassador
• Supervise members of the External Relations team and create a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
• Advise executive leadership on strategic opportunities and emerging risks

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Expertise managing relationships with media outlets, writing and editing press releases, and acting as a spokesperson
• Experience developing communication strategies for high impact issues
• Experience crafting content for various social media platforms and channels
• Experience leading a team

Job Specific Competencies:

• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills
• Cultivates effective relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Proactively anticipate issues and build robust response strategies

Employer Highlights:

The Iowa Department of Revenue is a well-respected employer. We are focused on providing excellent customer service, while offering a wonderful team atmosphere, work-life balance, free parking, and casual attire. We have a great total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:

• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC)
• Flexible Working Environment- Work from Home Opportunities
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

The mission of the Iowa Department of Revenue is to serve Iowans through the responsible collection and generation of revenue to support the public good. If you’re looking for a career with an organization that values its employees and customers, you’ve come to the right place.

Applicants must live within the State of Iowa to qualify for this position.

The successful candidate will be required to work on-site in the Hoover Building in Des Moines, with remote opportunities as it meets business needs.

A background check, including a criminal history check, fingerprint and Iowa tax filing check, will be conducted on the final candidate.

Effective July 1st, 2025, all Department of Revenue staff and their household will not be able to play any Iowa Lottery games.

E-Verify and Right to Work

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.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to four years of full-time work in program administration, development, management, or operations.
2. Eight years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations.
3. All of the following (a and b):
   1. Four years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations; and
   2. A combination of 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. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
4. All of the following (a, b, and c):
   1. Two years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations; and
   2. A combination of 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 equals one year of full-time experience; and
   3. A combination of 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, 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.
5. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Public Service Supervisor or comparable specific management-level position.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.