Director of Public Affairs & Communications
Job no:
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Richmond (City), Virginia
Categories: Health and Human Services
Title: Director of Public Affairs & Communications
State Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr IV
Hiring Range: $132,000 - $150,000
Pay Band: 7
Agency: Dept of Med Assistance Svcs
Location: Dept of Medical Asst Services
Agency Website: www.dmas.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Medicaid Public Affairs & Communications Director provides strategic leadership for all communications and public affairs activities for the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS).
The position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies that advance the agency's mission, priorities, programs, and initiatives.
The Public Affairs and Communications Director serves as a primary agency spokesperson and media representative, communicating with news organizations, legislators, members, providers, advocates, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
The position ensures that complex Medicaid policies, program changes, benefits, requirements, and agency initiatives are communicated clearly, accurately, consistently, and in a manner accessible to diverse audiences.
The position leads communications during high-profile initiatives, policy changes, emergencies, and other issues that may significantly affect Medicaid members, providers, or the Commonwealth.
The position also develops executive communications and provides strategic counsel to agency leadership on communications risks, opportunities, messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
This position develops and executes a proactive communications strategy that explains complex policy and implementation work in clear, accessible terms.
Draft and oversee key communications products, including talking points, press statements, op eds, briefing memos, rapid response materials.
Coordinate messaging with HHR Communications team.
Translate technical policy and implementation details into messages that resonate with legislators, local leaders, providers, and the public.
Track media coverage and public narrative related to Secretariat priorities and adjust strategy as needed.
Support coordination between policy, program, and communications teams to ensure messaging reflects execution reality.
The business needs of the position will have in office requirements to include but are not limited to in-person meetings, external and internal stakeholder meetings, and press appearances as needed.
Located in beautiful Central Virginia, the Richmond area puts you just 2 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Beach and Washington DC. To learn more about the Richmond, VA area visit: https://www.virginia.org/
Minimum Qualifications
Competitive candidates will meet these minimum qualifications:
Extensive experience developing and executing strategic communication and outreach plans for program initiatives.
Extensive experience serving as a senior-level communications professional in government or complex organizations, such as press secretary, communications director, or senior communications advisor.
Extensive experience facilitating meetings with external stakeholders and advocacy groups.
Extensive experience creating and delivering outreach content that is aligned with program objectives to include accessibility for a variety of audiences across multiple outreach channels.
Extensive experience with computer software including Microsoft Office.
Extensive experience analyzing, interpreting, and applying public federal and state laws/regulations.
Extensive experience meeting deadlines.
Extensive experience managing internal/external stakeholder relationships and coordinating cross functional collaboration across multiple organizations.
Extensive experience using data-driven insights to refine communications strategies and generating executive-level reports and briefings.
Additional Considerations
Competitive candidates should meet these additional considerations:
Experience with the member-centered program design and access.
Considerable experience planning and directing program activities.
Considerable experience analyzing data.
Considerable experience resolving problems.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) does not offer employment-based Sponsorship, to include participation in STEM -OPT programs or similar programs. Selected candidates will have their work authorization completed using the E-Verify Program.
The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is an Executive Branch agency that will adhere to all policies and procedures, to include the Commonwealth's Department of Human Resource Management Policy 1.61 Teleworking. This position could be expected to work in the office as driven by business needs.
Telework arrangements are a privilege and may be rescinded at any time based on performance and/or business need. The agency reserves the right to modify or terminate a telework arrangement, provided that reasonable notice is given to the employee.
This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, Education Checks if applicable, Work History Verification with references.
This position requires the submission of a Statement of Economic Interest (financial disclosure).
If you wish to apply for a job with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, an application and/or resume for employment must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications/resumes will not be accepted. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the relevant information presented in the state application and/or resume submitted before the closing date.
Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Contact Information
Name: DMAS Talent Acquisition
Phone: 804 - 225 - 4407
Email: askhcdtalentacq@dmas.virginia.gov
Advertised: 29 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 12 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
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