Chief Communications Officer (EMS3COM)

This recruitment is posted continuously and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) provides leadership and strategic direction to the Communications Division comprised of 36 staff and has responsibility for the agencys public relations marketing branding and constituent relations services. The CCO leads strategic communications efforts to align with the Health Care Authoritys mission vision and goals.

Reporting to the agency Director the CCO is a member of the agencys Senior Leadership Team. The CCO serves as a senior-level advisor on strategic and crisis communications to the Director the Chief of Staff the Chief Medical Officer the State Medicaid Director and other agency leaders. The CCO is responsible for regularly reporting to executives to ensure awareness of key communications opportunities and challenges.

About the position:

The Chief Communications Officer is responsible for developing planning and implementing comprehensive and innovative communication marketing and media strategies for the Health Care Authority. The position serves as the agencys communications expert and is responsible for planning coordinating and directing all agency internal and external communications activities including media relations agency branding public affairs graphic design marketing social media employee communications video production print services and constituent relations.

The CCO is the primary emergency point of coordination and collaboration for communications efforts with the Governor the Governors press and policy offices and legislative public information staff.

This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to report on-site to meet business need.The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions both on-site and telework eligible positions is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA has currently suspended the ability to support out-of-state telework.

Some of what you will do:

• Serves as the Chief Advisor to the Director and other executive management staff on public affairs media relations and internal and external communications and is the chief liaison with the Governors Press Office. Serves as a member of Senior Leadership Team.
• Provides leadership management and strategic direction to the Communications Division a team of 36 comprised of strategic communications managers writers graphic designers web content manager videography and social media strategist constituent relations executive level administrative support and print services center staff. Assures the Communications Division achieves long-term goals aligning them with the agency mission vision and strategic goals.
• Sets the strategic direction for agency social media to ensure a robust and well-branded social media strategy across multiple channels.
• Manages internal communications policies and strategies to support employee engagement and appropriate information sharing at all levels within the agency. Produces monthly multimedia all-staff meeting and sets vision for agency intranet and employee newsletter.
• Ensures data-driven web content strategy. Maintains close working relationship with the agencys web technology and multimedia services team which develops the agencys internal and external internet site web applications and SharePoint sites. Directs the creation maintenance and administration of content and usability quality control for HCAs website. Serves as co-sponsor of the agency Web Council.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with the media other state agencies and external stakeholders. Responds to news media inquiries and requests and proactively reaches out to media to share HCAs story. Advises executive management staff on effective media relations. Releases news to the public and provides presentations on news releases to outside stakeholders; informs the public on behalf of the Director and the agency. Responsible for monitoring the media for issues of importance to HCA.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in English Journalism Communications Public Relations or related field and seven years of proven leadership experience managing teams and overseeing large-scale communication strategies.
• Professional mastery in effective communications; written verbal and presentation skills to effectively communicate with internal and external audiences.
• Five years of experience in reporting or media and stakeholder relations.
• Five years of experience developing implementing and measuring strategic communications plans.
• Ability to lead a team in a unified direction.
• Ability to coach employees at all stages of their career to remove barriers to team and individual accomplishments and to recognize and celebrate successes.
• Exceptional writing editing and storytelling: Clear persuasive communicator across channels.
• Understanding of crisis communications principles and how to direct and provide crisis communications response.
• Understanding plain talk principles.
• Understanding the best practices in social media and web content strategy.
• Understanding of change management principles and how to apply them to communications strategies.

Preferred qualifications:

• Graduate degree in public administration communications public affairs journalism or related field.
• Familiarity with government relations and policy communications.
• Media or communications experience within the public sector.
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)

How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy) NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in .

About HCA:
Functioning as both the states largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars HCA purchases health care including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention crisis and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCAs Mission Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants and shopping nearby.
• And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse inclusive workplace aligned with HCAs mission.Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women racial and ethnic minorities and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age disabled and Vietnam era veterans as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them please contact us at . Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Rachel Tillman at or .

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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