NEOGOV · 19 hours ago
Deputy Chief Communications Officer (WMS3/COM)
Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$99K/yr - $139K/yr
7+ years expNEOGOV is part of the State of Washington's Health Care Authority, seeking a Deputy Chief Communications Officer to lead a diverse Communications Division. The role involves overseeing media relations, internal communications, and ensuring clear messaging to support health programs while allowing for telework flexibility.
GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware
Responsibilities
Supervise and support managers overseeing multiple units within the Communications Division, including internal communications, policy communications, Tribal affairs communications, legislative communications, health equity communications, visual communications, and constituent relations
Co-lead with the chief communications officer, HCA’s media relations and rapid response efforts for high-visibility or time-sensitive issues; oversee development of talking points and news materials, design and implement media relations training, manage the agency’s reporter database; continuously improves the agency’s online newsroom; and proactively develop stories that advance HCA’s mission
Lead the agency plain language program by developing tools, resources, and trainings to support compliance with the governor’s plain language directive; provide consultation to leadership and employees on plain language best practices
Serve as HCA’s representative on cross-agency plain language and other initiatives as assigned
Co-leads division training, retreats, and team-building activities to support staff development and alignment with the agency’s strategic plan
Sponsor division quarterly target reviews and other efforts to apply performance management principles to the division’s work
Develop innovative communications approaches when precedent is limited or protocols are undeveloped, helping the agency navigate emergency or complex issues
Manage contracts and procurement activities for communication services, including project scoping, deliverables, and vendor oversight to ensure project goals and work products meet expectations
Research and stay informed of emerging trends in health care and government communications and provide counsel to HCA leadership, partner agencies, and the governor’s communications office as appropriate
Plan, coordinate, and direct communication projects and resources to support implementation of federal and/or state health care programs, projects, and initiatives as assigned by the CCO
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in English, public relations, communications, journalism, or related field and seven (7) years of the required experience below
Associate's degree in English, public relations, communications, journalism, or related field and nine (9) years of the required experience below
Eleven (11) years of the required experience below
Professional public relations, communications, or media experience
Supervisory experience with demonstrated knowledge or expertise in strategic and tactical communication efforts, demonstrated experience in management, team building, change management, and organizational agility in pursuit of strategic goals
Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex technical information verbally and in writing to a non-technical audience, including the application of plain talk principles to legally precise documents
Demonstrated ability to work with and advise all levels of staff, including the executive level
Experience managing a team of communications professionals
Excellent writing and proof-reading skills
Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, identify communications needs, and develop goals and comprehensive work plans for achieving those goals
Demonstrated experience in making presentations to external audiences on challenging policy concepts
The ability to take action to learn and grow
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others
Preferred
Public relations experience in the health care industry
Journalistic background
Accreditation in public relations
Five years of supervisory experience
Experience working with government agencies, health care providers, health care insurers and/or public/private health care stakeholders/customers
Benefits
Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
A great total compensation and benefit package
A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
And free parking!
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.
Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Company
NEOGOV
NEOGOV is the leading provider of workforce management software uniquely designed for the public sector, education, and public safety.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
NEOGOV has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (13)
2024 (10)
2023 (10)
2022 (18)
2021 (14)
2020 (16)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$700MKey Investors
Warburg Pincus
2025-07-28Secondary Market· $700M
2025-07-28Acquired
2021-06-02Private Equity
Leadership Team
Shane Evangelist
CEO
Brandon McDonald
Head Of Marketing
Recent News
Canada NewsWire
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Government Technology US
2025-10-31
Company data provided by crunchbase