Chief Communications Officer (Deputy Director) PN

Position Preferred Qualifications

Completion of undergraduate core program in the field of journalism or communication; 60 mos. public multi-media techniques & relations in field of journalism or communication; 60 mos. management and senior level leadership.

Primary Job Skill: Communications & Marketing
Technical Skills: Public Relations
Professional Skills: Collaboration Confidentiality Attention to detail

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education coursework or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institutions website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39) and as outlined in the posting.

At the State of Ohio we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits visit ourTotal Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off including vacation personal sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth Adoption and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds Public Service Loan Forgiveness and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS STRS SERS and HPRS)&Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services activities programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Chief Communications Officer
Deputy Director

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals Ohio Pharmacy Services Ohios prison systems and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered Solution Oriented Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable Reasonable Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well get well and stay well. Join our collaborative service-oriented environment where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued supported and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness second-chance hiring and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect both in the community and within our own team.

Please note: Effective October 1 2025 the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new namethe Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals families and communities across the state.

What youll do at DBH:

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Communications Officer to lead the Office of Communications & Marketing. This executive-level role is responsible for developing and executing strategic communication and marketing initiatives that support the agencys mission enhance public engagement and align with departmental goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develops and implements comprehensive communication and marketing strategies policies and procedures
• Designs and leads agency-wide communication programs and public campaigns
• Establishes project timelines and oversees execution and evaluation of communication initiatives
• Conducts and supervises surveys and evaluations to inform strategy and measure impact

Cross-Agency Collaboration

• Partners with internal divisions and external agencies to ensure alignment with departmental goals
• Analyzes existing and proposed programs to recommend effective communication strategies
• Supports Human Resources in recruitment and retention communications
• Assists in legislative marketing and communication efforts

Executive Representation

• Represents the agency in public forums media engagements and inter-agency collaborations
• May be designated to act as Director in the absence of the Director or Assistant Directors

Team Management & Content Oversight

• Supervises communications staff and directs all agency branding and marketing efforts
• Reviews edits and brands official documents including policy briefs legislative summaries and impact statements
• Delivers presentations and speeches aligned with agency goals and initiatives
• Responds to public and media inquiries regarding agency programs
• Prepares press releases and oversees publication of agency materials
• Oversees agency website content branding and messaging
  

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

Salary will be commensurate with education/experience.

This position is unclassified pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

Application Procedures
To be considered for this position you must apply online through this posting website (). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications experience education and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your addition see resume is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicants prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

RuleBackground check on applicants outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process assessment &/or interview please contact Andrew Seifert EEO/ADA Administrator at or .

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.