Strategic Communications Advisor - Senior

Project Summary: The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is undertaking the Workers’ Compensation System Modernization (WCSM) Program, a large-scale initiative to replace a mainframe-centric legacy environment comprising over 100 computer systems built across 40 years with a cloud-first, modern system of systems. To support this transformation, the WCSM Program requires one (1) Senior-level Strategic Communications Advisor to develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy and produce high-quality written, visual, and public-facing materials that effectively communicate the Program’s goals, milestones, and progress to diverse audiences. The Strategic Communications Advisor will work alongside program leadership to craft clear, compelling communications that support the Program’s needs across executive, governmental, and operational audiences, ensuring the Program speaks with a consistent and professional voice throughout its lifecycle.

The WCSM Program requires one (1) Senior-level Strategic Communications Advisor. The resource must be an exceptional communicator and content producer with deep experience developing strategic communications programs for large, complex public-sector organizations.

Required Qualifications:

      Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Journalism, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.

      Minimum ten (10) years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or communications management roles within or supporting large public-sector organizations.

      Demonstrated experience developing and executing comprehensive strategic communications plans for complex, interested parties’ government programs.

      Strong familiarity with Washington State government operations, including budget and appropriations processes, interagency coordination, and the state’s planning and reporting cycles, sufficient to produce accurate, well-informed communications products in support of agency staff performing those functions.

      Experience producing communications materials that support executive-level budget and program reporting, including briefing documents, program summaries, and supporting narratives.

      Experience working alongside or supporting C-level or executive technology leadership teams on large-scale modernization or transformation programs.

      Demonstrated ability to develop and execute multi-channel strategic communications plans, including interested parties mapping, messaging frameworks, and publication schedules.

      Exceptional professional writing skills, with a portfolio demonstrating experience producing executive briefing documents, policy summaries, program reports, press materials, and formal correspondence.

      Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, with demonstrated ability to develop compelling, visually polished presentations from complex source material with minimal direction.

      Proficiency with the full Microsoft 365 suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint; able to produce professional-quality documents and materials independently.

      Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills, with experience coordinating across diverse teams and presenting communications products to executive and senior audiences for review and approval.

      Excellent verbal communication skills; a confident and credible presenter able to deliver briefings and program updates on behalf of program leadership.

Required Competencies:

• Strategic Communications Planning: Demonstrated ability to develop, execute, and continuously adapt a comprehensive multi-channel communications strategy aligned with program priorities, interested parties’ needs, and organizational timelines. Skilled at building communications frameworks that bring structure and consistency to complex programs.Professional Writing & Content Development: Exceptional ability to independently produce a wide range of high-quality written materials including executive briefings, program summaries, correspondence, talking points, reports, press releases, and newsletter content. Writes clearly, concisely, and with appropriate tone for each audience.
• Executive Presentation Development: Expert-level skill in designing and producing professional PowerPoint presentations and visual materials for executive and public audiences. Translates complex program information into compelling visual narratives with minimal direction.Interested parties Engagement & Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and sustain productive working relationships across diverse groups including program leadership, agency partners, oversight bodies, and vendor partners. Skilled at coordinating across teams with differing interests to deliver cohesive, aligned communications.
• Audience Awareness & Message Development: Ability to assess the needs and perspectives of varied audiences — from technical teams to executive leadership to the general public — and tailor written and visual communications accordingly.Analytical Thinking & Content Synthesis: Ability to review and synthesize complex program data, technical documents, and organizational information into clear, accurate, and compelling communications products for non-technical audiences.
• Business & Technology Acumen: Sufficient understanding of technology program concepts and public-sector business operations to produce informed, accurate communications materials without independent technical analysis.Leadership & Organizational Alignment: Creates communications alignment across a complex program by coordinating messaging, maintaining editorial consistency, and ensuring all interested parties-facing materials reflect an accurate and unified program narrative.
• Planning & Prioritization: Manages multiple concurrent communications workstreams and deliverables with discipline, adapting to shifting program milestones, executive priorities, and organizational timelines.

  Preferred Qualifications:

        

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

        Experience producing communications materials in support of state budget processes, including program narratives, executive summaries, and supporting briefing packages prepared alongside agency budget and fiscal staff.

        Experience working in or supporting communications for programs with a high level of public interest or governmental oversight.

        Familiarity with human-centered design principles and experience producing change management communications in complex, interested parties’ environments.

        Experience developing and managing communications editorial calendars, content libraries, and brand standards for large public-sector programs.

        Familiarity with Washington State workers’ compensation system, L&I operations, or similar benefits administration programs.

        Experience producing communications materials for enterprise IT modernization or digital transformation programs in state government.

        Experience supporting a Program Management Office (PMO) with communications, interested parties’ engagement, or reporting materials.

        Certifications in communications, public relations, or project management (e.g., APR, PMP, or equivalent).