State of Iowa

External Relations Manager

State of Iowa$70K — $124K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience, or 8 years of direct experience in program administration
  • Proven expertise in media relations and public communications
  • Experience in developing strategic communication plans
  • Demonstrated ability to create social media content and campaigns
  • Prior leadership experience managing a team effectively

Responsibilities

  • Execute the Lottery's internal and external communications program
  • Serve as the Lottery Division's spokesperson and brand ambassador
  • Supervise the External Relations team and foster a culture of excellence
  • Advise leadership on strategic issues and emerging risks
  • Develop proactive communication strategies for high-impact matters

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Work in a dynamic environment focused on public service
  • Possibility of flexible remote work based on business needs
  • Engage with a variety of stakeholders in public relations
  • Contribute to revenue generation for important state programs
Full Job Description
Salary : $70,075.20 - $124,883.20 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50313 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00599
Agency: 625 Iowa Department of Revenue
Division: Lottery Division
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
To Apply: For consideration, please submit your cover letter, resume, and references to [redacted]. Include the title of this job posting in the subject of your email.

Job Description
This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Department of Revenue's Lottery Division is currently seeking a Public Service Manager 1 to serve as the External Relations Manager. The Lottery Division provides responsible entertainment and prizes to the public, generating revenue for state programs, including support for veterans, economic development, law enforcement, education and agriculture.
In this position you will:

Execute the Lottery's internal and external communications program
Act as the Lottery Division's spokesperson and serve as a brand ambassador
Supervise members of the External Relations team and create a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
Advise executive leadership on strategic opportunities and emerging risks

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
Expertise managing relationships with media outlets, writing and editing press releases, and acting as a spokesperson
Experience developing communication strategies for high impact issues
Experience crafting content for various social media platforms and channels
Experience leading a team

Job Specific Competencies:
Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills
Cultivates effective relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
Proactively anticipate issues and build robust response strategies

Applicants must live within the State of Iowa to qualify for this position.

The successful candidate will be required to work on-site in the Hoover Building in Des Moines, with remote opportunities as it meets business needs.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to four years of full-time work in program administration, development, management, or operations.
2) Eight years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations.
3) All of the following (a and b):

a. Four years of full-time work experience work in program administration, development, management, or operations; and
b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

4) All of the following (a, b, and c):

a. Two years of full-time work experience work in program administration, development, management, or operations; and
b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience; and
c. A combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is
also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Public Service Supervisor or comparable specific management-level position.

About State of Iowa

The State of Iowa is a government entity responsible for providing services and programs to the residents of Iowa. The state government is divided into three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. The executive branch is headed by the Governor of Iowa, who is responsible for implementing and enforcing state laws. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, while the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice. The State of Iowa was admitted to the Union on December 28, 1846, and has since become known for its agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy industries.
Learn more about State of Iowa
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