Employee & Executive Communications Manager (WMS BAND 1)

Employee & Executive Communications Manager (WMS BAND 1)

Salary

$105,000.00 - $111,936.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2026-DIR-COM-002

Department

Dept. of Enterprise Services

Division

Directors Office - Communications Program

Opening Date

09/18/2026

Closing Date

10/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Employee & Executive Communications Manager

WMS BAND 1

NOTE: The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicants advantage to apply as early as possible.

The position's assigned duty workstation is located at: 1500 Jefferson St. Olympia, WA.

This position is eligible for hybrid work with most daily work remote but must be able to come to the Olympia location on an as needed basis. This position requires the incumbent to be available on evenings and weekends to support the communication, and executive operation needs of the agency. This need is typically higher during the month leading up to and during Legislative session.

Who we are:

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES' mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

About the Opportunity:

Communications is responsible for ensuring that DES is connecting with its audiences to achieve its strategic goals, assess and minimize risk, build and protect the agency's public reputation and brand, and help agency customers easily understand, access, and connect with DES services.

Communications is a critical component of successful policy and government relations work, providing aligned messaging to support agency budget and legislative requests and stakeholder management for high-risk, sensitive, and politically charged issues. Work includes strategic communication planning, media relations, crisis and emergency response, agency brand, graphic design, digital platforms including website and social media, internal communications, public outreach, and all internal and external communication activities. Communications is responsible for creating communication plans to carry out federal, state, and agency law, rule, and policy implementations.

The Employee and Executive Communications Manager (EECM) reports directly to the Communications Director and is a trusted and confidential advisor on matters related to the employee and executive operation communication activities of the agency to the communications director, division staff and leadership, and by extension the agency cabinet. This position manages the Employee and Executive Communications team that plans, implements, and measures communications for employees and executive operations. This position is a member of the Communications leadership team and helps inform communications policy. The EECM manages communication activities and strategies that effectively support agency strategic and public policy goals and enhance employee culture. It ensures that DES' messages are meeting its audiences in the right way at the right time; it manages the agency's communication strategies for employee communications and executive operations.

This role is responsible for recommending, coordinating, approving, and supplying communication strategies and activities for internal and external communication planning. This position monitors and measures the effectiveness of the activities under its direction, including employee, executive, and legislative and budget communications. The EECM gauges potential issues and areas of interest among key interested parties, and ensures communications aligns with agency mission, vision, values, and goals. This position provides round-the-clock (particularly during Legislative Session) support on issues of high public interest and must frequently safeguard confidential and high-risk or sensitive information in the course of its duties. The selected candidate will possess a deep understanding of the Washington policy landscape, including meaningful experience working with public policy or government relations, and a general understanding of the Washington state legislative process.

This position is essential in ensuring consistent communication and public information that supports the agency's mission of strengthening the business of government for a sustainable and just future.

For more information about this position, email the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan by emailing jobs@des.wa.gov and request the full job description.

Duties

Responsibilities associated with this position include:

Employee and executive communications

• Manages agency employee communication strategies, including executive leadership messaging.

• Ensures agency director, cabinet, and senior leaders (or anyone testifying on DES' behalf to the Legislature) are adequately prepared and staffed for speaking engagements.

• Prepare 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.

Executive operations - budget and legislative session

• Partners with Executive Operations, Government Relations, and Finance to create a comprehensive legislative communications plan with key strategies throughout the entire legislative and budget cycle.
• Partners with leadership and divisions to monitor agency efforts, associated risks, and issues management tied to agency reputation, public policy, budget and legislative requests.
• 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.

Executive operations - agency authorizing environment outreach and engagement

• Assists Government Relations in audience management of authorizers, including the Legislature, Governors Office, Lieutenant Governors Office, Office of Financial Management, and authorizing committees like the State Capitol Committee and Capitol Campus Design Advisory Group.
• Manages audience and issue profiles and anticipates communication needs by audience and risk.
• Manages inventory of vetted materials, including periodic reviews for accuracy and effectiveness.
• Supports Executive Operations and Government Relations in inquiry response and bill implementation.
• Manages legislative report communications strategy.

Lead Employee and Executive Communications team

• Supervises and directs work of Employee and Executive Communications team.
• Provides daily management, leadership, decision-making, coaching, issue escalation and resolution.
• Sets and measures team performance standards, connected to division and agency strategic goals.
• Manages and develops employee performance.

Leadership

• Contributes as member of Communications leadership team.
• Contributes to agency and statewide efforts.
• Assesses impacts and provides analysis.
• Informs Communications policy development.
• Provides cross-coverage for leadership absences.

Qualifications

Required Qualification/Experience/Education/ Competencies

To qualify for this position, you must have a total of five (5) years of any combination of qualifying education or qualifying experience. Experience may substitute year for year of higher education. Please note that supervisory experience does not count towards the required five (5) years of professional communication experience.

Here are ways to meet the qualifications for this position:

[OPTION 1]

Five (5) years of professional experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, marketing, or closely related field;

AND

Two (2) years of supervisory experience.

[OPTION 2]

Bachelor's degree with major study in English, communications, public information, journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, or a closely related field;

AND

One year of professional experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, marketing, or closely related field;

AND

Three (2) years of supervisory experience.

[OPTION 3]

I meet with qualifications other than the above listed

In addition to meeting with one of the above options, qualified candidates must possess the following professional experience:

• Leading or supervising others.
• Providing expert strategic advice to leaders and peers.
• Developing and carrying out effective communication and outreach plans, including outreach and engagement, media relations, and public education.
• Providing clear direction, performance expectations, timely feedback, and coaching.
• Deciding and measuring effective tactics using performance data.
• Ability to lead through a highly complex process of communication strategies, consensus building, and issue resolution to lead to successful outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and quickly adjust to a changing environment.
• Ability to navigate complex and technical subject matter and quickly acquire specific sets of subject matter expertise.
• Building collaborative partnerships throughout an organization and with external interested parties.
• Experience coaching and advising top-level management on messaging and presentation delivery.
• Advising top management of audience impacts from public policy decisions.
• Producing and reviewing written, verbal, and visual communication materials for a variety of audiences to meet brand, quality, readability, and accessibility guidelines.
• Experience creating, editing, writing, and delivering effective presentations to diverse audiences in a high profile, public setting.

Preferred/Desired Education and Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to write and edit to meet the standards of the Associated Press style guide.
• Experience supporting or leading legislative and policy analysis, development, and implementation.
• Experience writing speeches, talking points, and preparing presentations for executive leaders to employees, key interested audiences, and the Legislature.
• Familiarity with user-centered design, graphic design, web content and management principles.

Required position competencies:

Communication and interaction with interested communities:

• Group facilitation skills necessary to lead productive and efficient discussion.
• Communication skills necessary to effectively share knowledge with diverse audiences including coworkers, contractors, customers, and special-interest communities to foster informed decision-making.
• Ability to work with staff at all levels to receive feedback and buy-in on communication materials.
• Demonstrated ability to work with external partners and communities and within the political environment (state agencies, elected officials, vendors, and private-sector parties).

Leadership and decision-making:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within the public arena through effective interested community and partner interactions, interagency teamwork, and sensitivity to public attitudes and concerns.
• Demonstrated ability to function in an environment that requires concurrent management of multiple complex activities, flexible work hours, tight timelines, frequent periods of high stress, and resource limitations due to being a public-sector program funded by tax dollars.

Leadership and management:

• Demonstrated ability to form and lead a cohesive team in an environment necessary to develop a broad base of institutional knowledge and opportunities for internal career advancement.
• Leadership skills necessary to guide and inform others in a manner that enables them to reach successful completion while keeping ownership of their assigned responsibilities.

Equity Competencies:

State of Washington Employees contribute to ensuring services, programs, workplaces, and interactions are responsive, respectful, accessible, and effective to the people and communities we serve. Employees are expected to:

• Take action to learn and Grow: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from new experiences, seek feedback, consider different perspectives, and continuously improve knowledge, skills, communication, and approaches to work.

• Take action to meet the needs of others: Seek to understand the needs and experiences of customers, coworkers, and communities. Identify barriers to access and participation and address them before they become obstacles for the people we serve, providing support that is respectful, timely, and effective.

Leadership competencies

Incumbents at DES in a supervisory or leadership position must show the following Washington State Enterprise Leadership Competencies:

• Models and champions our culture and values

• Cultivates a shared, strategic vision

• Develops people; drives results

• Fosters learning

• Builds relationships

• Fosters teamwork and collaboration

• Communicates effectively

• Makes things happen as a public servant

• Leads and navigates change

• Embraces and embeds inclusion in decision making.

Read the full Washington State Enterprise Leadership Competencies (PDF document).

Communication Competencies:

To build the culture we want to see in our division, all Communications staff commit to upholding the following

competencies:

• Clarity: We are honest and upfront about our needs and expectations. "Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind."
• Collaboration: We stay curious and listen to learn. We understand our strengths complement each other, and we are working toward a common purpose.
• Growth: We approach each moment as an opportunity to develop our abilities, encouraging curiosity and a love of learning, and evaluating failures and mistakes without shame.
• Accountability: We do what we say, we own our mistakes, and we take steps to do better.
• Empowerment: We take ownership of our work and contribute to meaningful decision-making.
• Respect: We value the qualities, skills and experience of the "whole person" for all our team members.
• Empathy: We extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of others. We are curious and brave when a colleague is behaving in a way that is perplexing or not typical for them. We meet people where they are.
• Courage: We have tough conversations, take risks, and are vulnerable with each other, even when the outcome is uncertain.
• FUN: We are intentional to celebrate, play, and find joy together. We take time to connect to other team members in such a way that allows for laughter and shared humor.

Supplemental Information

Condition of Employment

How to Apply:

Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that describes why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education.
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into The Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Washington Fair Chance Act:

We are committed to providing equitable access to employment opportunities. If a criminal background check is required for employment at an agency, it will occur only after a conditional offer of employment has been made and accepted. Applicants are not required to disclose criminal history during the hiring process prior to a conditional offer. Criminal history will not automatically exclude an applicant from consideration and will be reviewed on an individual basis consistent with applicable law and the requirements of the position.

Learn more about the Washington Fair Chance Act: Washington Fair Chance act guide.

Opportunity for All:

The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Are you currently working for the Department of Enterprise Services?

• Yes
• No

02

Select below how you qualify for this position.

• [OPTION 1] Five (5) years of professional experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, marketing, or closely related field; AND two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• [OPTION 2] Bachelor's degree with major study in English, communications, public information, journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, or a closely related field; AND one year of professional experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, marketing, or closely related field; AND two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• [OPTION 3] I meet with qualifications other than the above listed.

03

If you selected [OPTION 3], please specify your qualifications for this position.

04

Submit two (2) work samples that highlight your strategic communication planning experience and writing ability. At least one should be created on behalf of an executive leader and show an ability to capture an individual leader's voice in a way that aligns with organizational brand. AND At least one work sample should showcase a strong understanding of employee interests. Please note the organization name you created them for, if any.

05

This recruitment requires that applicants submit a current resume, cover letter, and updated professional references. Have you uploaded all required documents?

• Yes
• No

06

Where did you first learn about this new opportunity?

• Careers.wa.gov
• DES Internal Communication
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• DES BRG Job Board
• Office of Financial Management weekly job announcement
• GovDelivery
• Other

07

We would like to know where you learned about this position. If you selected "Job Board" or "Other", please specify the name of the job board or source where you found this position. If you selected a named job board or webpage from the list above, please enter "N/A" in this space.

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov