Director of Communications (Director of Strategic Communications) / 61079178TG

Director of Communications (Director of Strategic Communications) / 61079178TG

Salary

$100,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

Temporary Grant - Full-Time

Job Number

193091

Agency

Department of Health and Human Services

Division

Office of Communications

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

10/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

BC52

Position Number:

61079178

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN12

Hiring Range - Min.

$100,000.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$110,000.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application not being referred.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

• This is a Temporary Grant Position.*

The Agencys mission is to be boldly innovative in improving the health and quality of life for South Carolinians.

This position is located in the Office of Communications & Public Relations, Richland County.

This is an in-office role and not a telecommute or remote position.

Are you an Exceptional Leader? We are looking for a Director of Communications (Director of Strategic Communications) who is responsible for directing and administering the public relations and marketing programs designed to promote the Agency's mission, goals, activities, and projects. Reporting directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Director will lead a team of communication experts shaping how SCDHHS communicates with our members, providers, and partners. As an agency, SCDHHS oversees an annual budget of $12 billion and this opportunity will play a critical role in defining and elevating the Agency's voice to internal and external audiences. Responsibilities include serving as the Agency's spokesperson, overseeing the development of press releases, bulletins, and public notices, as well as supporting high-priority agency initiatives through communication planning.

• Plans, develops and directs communication strategies and short and long-range public information campaigns designed to enhance the Agencys branding and promote and explain SCDHHS goals, activities, and objectives. Manages and furthers the Agencys social media strategy, increasing social media applications such as X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as blog communications. Oversees the enhancement of the Agencys website to maximize communications goals, and stakeholder engagement with members, providers, partners, and the public.
• Oversees creative engagement of Medicaid members, the media, the healthcare community, consumers, and the public, leveraging agency data and state national trends to extend messaging and create local tie-in. Oversees the development, review, and dissemination of all Agency communications and application of appropriate vehicles and tools for specific stakeholder groups.
• Develops and maintains outreach calendar to ensure Agency presence at civic, professional, and consumer-related organizations. Coordinates promotions and educational programs with other agencies and stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and leveraging communications impact.
• Performs fundamental supervisory and leadership functions in accordance with Department policies and procedures, best practices and Federal and State rules and regulations, especially with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) standards. Maintains an effective organizational team and motivates diverse staff to accomplish mission critical operations and objectives.
• Leads or supports other projects proactively or as assigned by Agency leadership. Projects may require driving to location outside of regular office location. Continuously engages in process improvement to support Agency, Division, and Bureau-wide strategies, objectives, and initiatives.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE and TGE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A bachelor's degree and three (3) years of public relations and communications experience in an administrative capacity.

All degrees must be from a college or higher education institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education & Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted with prior State Human Resources approval.

Preferred: Experience in dealing with politically sensitive information.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid drivers license.
• Occasional overnight travel.
• Requires holder to drive routinely.
• Sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Overtime and/or weekend work with Deputy approval.
• Lifting requirements: 20 lbs.
• In-office role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to write clear and effective policy, promotional, and public information content.
• Public speaking and presentation skills required.
• Knowledge of journalistic principles and practices and techniques of disseminating information to the public, through traditional methods and social media.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in planning, composing, editing and producing publications.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of budgeting, planning, conducting and supervising large-scale public relations programs.
• Experience in crisis management and crisis messaging.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and SCDHHS programs, policies, procedures, objectives and goals.
• Ability to gather, organize and present oral and written information in a clear, concise and accurate manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the communication media and general public.
• Knowledge of state government and the legislative process. Ability to work independently and professionally.
• Ability to lead and manage team of communications professionals.
• Ability to handle public, media, and legislative requests for information, and to direct comprehensive agency efforts with limited supervision.
• Must exercise a high degree of judgment, discretion and maintain strict confidentiality standards.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet deadlines.

Additional Comments

Please complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application for qualification purposes. All applicants must apply online. All correspondence from the Office of Human Resources will be through electronic mail.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

The responses you provide to these Supplemental Questions will be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Please, thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of your application and the Supplemental Questions. Failure to provide detailed and complete information will result in your application being rejected. Any misrepresentation or omissions will result in your disqualification from employment and/or termination. You may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree with the above.

• Yes
• No

02

I understand that this is a Temporary Grant position.

• Yes
• No

03

The established hiring range for this position is $100,00 to $110,000. Do you accept this range?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a bachelors degree?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have at least three (3) years of public relations and communications experience in an administrative capacity?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have a valid drivers license? If yes, please provide your drivers license number and state of issuance.

07

Do you wish to claim Veteran Preference? If yes, you must submit a copy of your DD214 Form with your job application in order to qualify and claim this preference.

• Yes
• No

08

How did you hear about this career opportunity?

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department of Health and Human Services Address 1801 Main Street, Suite 224

Columbia, South Carolina, 29201

Phone 803-898-2670

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.