Deputy Secretary for External Affairs

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Secretarys Office

Job Classification Title

Deputy Secretary/Commissioner III (NS)

Position Number

Grade

NC27

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest most complex agencies in the state and has approximately 17000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health safety and well-being of all North Carolinians providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf blind developmentally disabled and mentally ill and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Deputy Secretary for External Affairs plays a critical role in shaping how NCDHHS engages with the states communities institutions and leaders. This position ensures that the Departments priorities are understood its partnerships strengthened and its decisions informed by the voices and needs of the people it serves. Through thoughtful engagement strategic leadership and commitment to public service the Deputy Secretary helps advance statewide improvements in health and opportunity. Reporting directly to the Secretary the Deputy Secretary leads external strategy communications stakeholder relations and policy alignment efforts that support the Departments mission to improve the health safety and well-being of all North Carolinians.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Engagement & Stakeholder Leadership:
Lead external affairs strategy and represent the Secretary in high-level meetings conferences and legislative sessions.
Build and sustain partnerships across sectors to support major policy initiatives.

Policy Strategy & Collaboration:
Translate complex policy goals into actionable engagement plans.
Coordinate cross-agency collaboration with providers hospitals payers universities and philanthropic institutions.

Public Affairs & Legislative Coordination:
Oversee communications media relations and issue management.
Support legislative strategy and ensure partners are informed of program goals and regulatory updates.

Executive Leadership & Organizational Alignment:
Serve on the Secretarys Senior Leadership Team.
Align external affairs with internal operations and support high-stakes decision-making and crisis response.

Crisis Response & Communications:
Lead external coordination during emergencies and manage communications during sensitive events to ensure clarity and trust.

Team Leadership & Talent Development:
Provide executive leadership to communications and engagement teams and foster a collaborative mission-driven culture and mentor staff for long-term success.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range $109171 - $245634

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Extensive leadership experience in government health/human services policy strategic communications or public administration/affairs.

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and navigate complex initiatives.

• Strong strategic judgment in politically sensitive or high-pressure environments.

• Experience managing large-scale public initiatives with statewide impact.

This position is Exempt Policy Making and is exempt from certain provisions of theState Human Resources Act (GS 126).

This position will close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

This position is funded in part through federal funds.

About the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest most complex agencies in the state and has approximately 17000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health safety and well-being of all North Carolinians providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf blind developmentally disabled and mentally ill and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Compensation & Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options standard and supplemental retirement plans and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation sick and community service addition paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.
Visit website forState Benefits

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federallaws state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified salary will be based on relevant qualifications internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governors Executive Order 303 our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the following: Education including high school and all degrees obtained Work Experience and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions you must provide supporting information within the Work Experience section of the application to support your answers.

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

• Applicantsmaybe subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered Positions of Trustwill besubject to a criminal background check.

• Due to the volume of applications received we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application please log in to your account. Upon the closing date applications are Under Review and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service please visit the NACES membership website at Credit Verification

  Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

  Veterans and National Guard Preference

  • Applicants seeking Veterans Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

  • Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS) along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

  • Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22 along with the state application.

  ADA Accommodations

  Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities or known limitations covered by the PWFA are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the person Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board etc.) indicated below.

  CONTACT INFORMATION:

  If there are any questions about this posting please contact Talent Acquisition at. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

  Minimum Education and Experience

  Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

  Minimum Education and Experience

  Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

  • Bachelors degree in business or economics or a related program from an appropriately accredited institution and eight (8) years of progressive experience in Agency related industry/operations including three (3) years of supervisory experience;

  • or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

  EEO Statement

  The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination harassment or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs observances and practices.

  Recruiter:

  Tandrea Jones

  Email: