State of Illinois

Deputy Communications Director

State of Illinois$120K — $144K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or liberal arts
  • 4 years of administrative experience in media relations or communications
  • Experience managing a communications strategy for a public/business organization
  • Professional experience in public-facing roles
  • Experience in planning and conducting special events

Responsibilities

  • Assist in leading agency communications efforts under the Director of Communications
  • Support statewide marketing efforts related to federal requirements
  • Develop and implement public communications strategies
  • Create and manage content for the agency's website and social media
  • Attend and support special events, providing guidance on communications

Benefits

  • Flexible Monday-Friday work schedule
  • Access to health, life, vision, and dental insurance
  • Pension plan participation
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Generous vacation and sick leave policies
  • Opportunity for deferred compensation programs
  • Paid personal days and holidays annually
Full Job Description
Job Requisition ID: 58758 BPIS: 07837

Opening Date: 09/15/2026Closing Date: 09/29/2026Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family ServicesClass Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070) Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel Bilingual Option: NoneSalary: Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $10,000 - $12,000/mo.Job Type: SalariedCategory: Full TimeNumber of Vacancies: 1Bargaining Unit Code: NoneMerit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: It is required that a person reports to the headquarters on this job position as necessary (could be weekly, monthly, or other schedule) dependent on operational needHeadquarter Location: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607Work County: CookAgency Contact:

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

Position Overview

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is seeking a motivated professional to serve as the Deputy Communications Director. Reporting directly to the Director of Communications, the Deputy Communications Director will serve as a policy-making official and will assist the Director of Communications with leading the agency's internal and external communications efforts, which include organizing, planning, executing, controlling and evaluating the communications team's operations. The Deputy Communications Director will also help lead and execute communication strategies related to federal Public Law 119-21 (known as H.R.1 or the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act") initiatives, with a focus on federal regulatory and administrative program requirements, ensuring consistent, accurate, and accessible information is provided to internal and external stakeholders impacted by the new federal regulations and administrative program changes.

The ideal candidate will exhibit strong attention to detail, demonstrate leadership skills to achieve set goals while demonstrating independent initiatives and strong interpersonal skills and experience setting and meeting short and long-term deadlines. Strong writing and organizational skills are critical for this position.

HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Essential Functions

  • Subject to management approval, serving as the Deputy Communications Director for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), and under the direction of the Director of Communications
  • Assists with statewide marketing efforts, including but not limited to ongoing customer and stakeholder communications related to the Department's implementation of new federal requirements
  • Provides input and support to the HFS Communications Director in the development and implementation of statewide public communications, including, but not limited to, creating and overseeing content on the agency's public website and social media channels
  • Prepares materials for and drives or travels to attend, support, and provide guidance on special events, including but not limited to press engagements, legislative hearings, the Springfield and DuQuoin State Fairs, and other events as assigned
  • Serves as a representative of the HFS Communications Director in collaborating with the Governor's Office and other government agencies regarding highly sensitive, complex responses, reaffirming the Department's position on sensitive and controversial issues
  • Serves as a full line supervisor
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above


Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, or liberal arts
  • Requires four (4) years of related administrative experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, or a comparable field


Preferred Qualifications

  • Four (4) years of professional experience managing a communications strategy for a public or business organization
  • Four (4) years of professional experience in a public-facing role presenting, delivering or communicating on behalf of a public or business organization
  • Four (4) years of professional experience in the management or implementation of a marketing plan for a public or business organization
  • Four (4) years of professional experience planning, organizing, and conducting special events for a public or business organization
  • Completion of a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or marketing


Conditions of Employment

  • Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
  • Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
  • Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends
  • Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop
  • This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings
  • The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job
    description


Benefits Statement

Employees receive a robust benefit package including:
  • Monday-Friday work schedule
  • Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
  • Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
  • Pension Plan
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
  • Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
  • New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
  • Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
  • (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

If you are seeking a new opportunity, and this position appeals to you, please apply today!

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail", "spam", or "other" folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

About State of Illinois

The name "Illinois" comes from a Native American word meaning "tribe of superior men." Louis Joliet and Father Marquette were the first Europeans to arrive in Illinois in 1673. Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818 and was the 21st state to enter the Union. The state motto is "State Sovereignty, National Union." Illinois is the fifth most populous state in the country with almost 12.9 million people. Abraham Lincoln and three other U.S. Presidents have called Illinois home, including Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. The General Assembly adopted the state slogan, "Land of Lincoln" in 1955. Springfield is the state capital and home to more Abraham Lincoln sites than any other place in the United States, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Old State Capitol, Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, and Lincoln-Herndon Law Office.

State of Illinois Careers

Join the dedicated team at the State of Illinois and discover a wealth of job opportunities where professional growth and innovation are at the forefront of its mission. The State of Illinois is renowned for its commitment to excellence and diversity, offering careers that cater to a variety of skills and interests.

Work You’ll Do

At the State of Illinois, every position contributes to the betterment of its community and the nation. Whether it's through leadership roles or entry-level positions, the impact of your work will be felt across various sectors. The State provides a platform where skills are honed, and professional aspirations are nurtured.

Explore Diverse Job Opportunities

The State of Illinois offers a range of employment options from administrative roles to environmental conservation, healthcare, and more. Each career path is equipped with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for career advancement.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with the State of Illinois through its dynamic internship programs. These opportunities are designed for those who are looking to develop their professional skills in a real-world setting, providing a stepping stone to full-time employment.

Innovative Work Environment

Innovation is key in the operations at the State of Illinois. Employees are encouraged to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, driving the State towards efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

Professional Growth and Development

The State of Illinois is committed to the professional development of its team. With access to diverse training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, employees are well-equipped to ascend in their careers.

Benefits and Culture

The employment experience at the State of Illinois is enhanced by its inclusive culture and comprehensive benefits package. The State values the well-being and satisfaction of its team, ensuring a supportive and positive work environment.

Networking and Career Advancement

Networking within the State of Illinois can significantly enhance career trajectories. Employees have numerous opportunities to connect with leaders and peers through various events and professional groups, fostering a community of collaboration and support.

Join the Team

The State of Illinois is continuously hiring new talent. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests. The hiring process at the State of Illinois is transparent and thorough, ensuring that the best candidates are selected for the right positions. Prepare your resume, ace the interview, and join a team that values hard work and dedication.

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