Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications & Public Engagement (Administrative Program Manager I)

DGS Office of External Affairs; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Department of Health seeks a Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications & Public Engagement to architect the agency's communications strategy in Baltimore. You will advise senior leadership on policy initiatives, drive engagement with stakeholders, and oversee media and legislative relations.

Located in Baltimore, this Grade 19 role requires leading integrated strategies, building partnerships with families, providers, and elected officials to advance the agency's mission.

Qualifications

• Six or more years of professional experience in communications, public affairs, or strategic engagement.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, public policy, and media relations.
• Proven ability to advise senior leadership, develop integrated communications strategies, and manage complex or sensitive issues.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate complex policies into clear, accessible messages.
• Experience engaging individuals with developmental disabilities, families, providers, advocacy organizations, and elected officials.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary architect of external and internal communications strategy for the agency.
• Advise senior leadership on complex policy initiatives and stakeholder engagement.
• Drive integrated engagement strategies and manage media and legislative relations.
• Build trusted partnerships with participants, families, providers, and community stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Media relations

Policy analysis

Executive advisory

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

Job description

The Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications & Public Engagement serves as the primary architect of the Developmental Disabilities Administration's external and internal communications strategy, advising senior leadership on complex policy initiatives and stakeholder engagement. This Grade 19 position, located in Baltimore at the Maryland Department of Health, drives integrated engagement strategies, manages media and legislative relations, and builds trusted partnerships with participants, families, providers, and community stakeholders to advance the agency's mission.

Key qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, public policy, marketing, English, social sciences, or related field
• Six or more years of professional experience in communications, public affairs, or strategic engagement
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, public policy, and media relations
• Proven ability to advise senior leadership, develop integrated communications strategies, and manage complex or sensitive issues
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate complex policies into clear, accessible messages
• Experience engaging individuals with developmental disabilities, families, providers, advocacy organizations, and elected officials