Hybrid: Employee and Executive Communications Leader

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Enterprise Services (DES) in Olympia, WA, seeks an Employee & Executive Communications Manager to lead the Employee and Executive Communications team and align internal messaging with agency policy.

The role supports leadership communications, media relations, and legislative budgeting communications, with hybrid work and occasional evenings/weekends during sessions. Email inquiries to [e-mail].

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of professional experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, marketing, or closely related field.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree with major study in English, communications, public information, journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, or a closely related field; One year of professional experience in communications; Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Manages agency employee communication strategies, including executive leadership messaging.
• Prepares talking points, speeches, presentations, supporting narratives and materials.
• Participate in practice sessions for legislative hearings, committee meetings, and informal meetings.
• Curates tools and training to preserve leadership tone, voice, and communication standards.
• Guides executive to employee communication strategies.
• Manages routine employee communication tactics including cascading communication plans and leadership toolkits, agency all‑staff meetings, insideDES intranet, weekly internal newsletter DES News.
• Manages major employee information campaigns.
• Partners and develops relationships with key staff across the agency.
• Makes sure content upholds brand standards.
• Partners with Executive Operations, Government Relations, and Finance to create a comprehensive legislative communications plan.
• Advises on key stakeholder interest and reaction to proposed activities.
• Coaches and advises leadership and spokespeople on how to effectively communicate and advance agency priorities.
• Measures and assesses outcomes to adjust strategies, update best practices and guidance, and achieve goals.
• Provides tools and resources to other Communication teams to ensure aligned strategies and messaging.
• Develops and manages complex public information activities.
• Advises staff and topic experts at all levels to develop and deliver communication strategies and materials.

Skills

Executive communications

Employee communications

Crisis communications

Public policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in English/Communications

Job description

Department of Enterprise Services (DES) in Olympia, WA, seeks an Employee & Executive Communications Manager to lead the Employee and Executive Communications team and align internal messaging with agency policy.

The role supports leadership communications, media relations, and legislative budgeting communications, with hybrid work and occasional evenings/weekends during sessions. Email inquiries to [e-mail].