Washington State ESD
DSHS Senior Director of Communications and Governmental Affairs
Washington State ESD, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
DSHS Senior Director of Communications and Governmental Affairs
Why This Role Matters
Every year, the Department of Social and Health Services touches the lives of more than 2.6 million Washingtonians. At this scale, communication is not just messaging; it is mission-critical. As Senior Director of Communications and Governmental Affairs, you’ll have direct access to the Secretary’s executive leadership team and the Governor’s office, shaping how Washington’s largest agency builds trust with the public, employees, and partners. This opportunity is central to advancing customer-centered government, ensuring that every message reflects transparency, inclusion, and the diverse voices of the communities we serve.
This is a rare opportunity to:
Define the agency’s voice
at a pivotal moment of transformation.
Lead a high-visibility function
with direct impact on statewide credibility and trust.
Unify communications, innovation, and design
under one coordinated vision.
Advance customer-centered government
in alignment with Executive Order 24-04.
What You’ll Take on in the First Year
Shift the Narrative:
Establish a disciplined, proactive communications strategy that positions DSHS as a trusted, mission-driven voice across Washington.
Elevate Customer Experience:
Demonstrate how communications can highlight measurable improvements in service delivery, transparency, and public trust.
Unify the Function:
Integrate media relations, internal communications, community relations, and visual/innovation strategy into a single, coordinated enterprise-level operation.
Lead Through Change:
Provide steady leadership through structural realignment, clarifying roles and expectations while sustaining performance and morale.
Shape Collaborative Relationships:
Develop and maintain effective, solution-driven partnerships with the Governor’s Communications Office, state and legislative leaders, and peer agencies to advance shared priorities.
Drive Team Performance:
Set a clear vision, reinforce accountability, and establish a culture of disciplined execution and innovation.
What Success Looks Like
A proactive communications rhythm is embedded and trusted across the agency.
DSHS is recognized for consistent, credible storytelling that reinforces its mission and statewide impact.
The Governor’s Office and state partners view DSHS as a reliable, collaborative communications partner.
Internal and external messaging is aligned under a unified vision.
The communications team is accountable, aligned, and delivering at a high level.
The Type of Leadership DSHS Needs
Provides clarity and composure in high-stakes situations where credibility and public trust are at risk.
Navigates complex political and organizational environments with authority, tact, and sound judgment.
Unifies people and functions, setting direction with accountability and purpose.
Balances strategic vision with disciplined execution, ensuring that the communications strategy translates into a measurable impact.
Exemplifies transparency, integrity, and trust, reinforcing DSHS’s role as a credible statewide leader.
Qualifications We’re seeking a communications leader with the following competencies:
Executive-level communications leadership:
demonstrated ability to set strategy and deliver results in a large, complex, or high-visibility organization.
Crisis and media expertise:
proven skill in managing high-stakes issues, shaping narratives, and protecting organizational credibility and trust.
Change leadership:
success unifying diverse functions, leading teams through transition, and sustaining performance and morale.
Political and stakeholder acumen:
experience partnering effectively across executive, legislative, tribal, and community leaders.
Storytelling and engagement expertise:
ability to elevate organizational voice, connect with employees and the public, and make complex work accessible and compelling.
Customer experience orientation:
demonstrated commitment to advancing transparency and customer service that meets diverse communities where they are.
Education:
A bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Relations, or a related field is preferred.
Application Process Applications will be accepted through December 15th, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Please email a resume and cover letter to tracie.kidd@dshs.wa.gov, highlighting your interest in the role and the competencies and leadership capabilities outlined in this profile.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This is a rare opportunity to:
Define the agency’s voice
at a pivotal moment of transformation.
Lead a high-visibility function
with direct impact on statewide credibility and trust.
Unify communications, innovation, and design
under one coordinated vision.
Advance customer-centered government
in alignment with Executive Order 24-04.
What You’ll Take on in the First Year
Shift the Narrative:
Establish a disciplined, proactive communications strategy that positions DSHS as a trusted, mission-driven voice across Washington.
Elevate Customer Experience:
Demonstrate how communications can highlight measurable improvements in service delivery, transparency, and public trust.
Unify the Function:
Integrate media relations, internal communications, community relations, and visual/innovation strategy into a single, coordinated enterprise-level operation.
Lead Through Change:
Provide steady leadership through structural realignment, clarifying roles and expectations while sustaining performance and morale.
Shape Collaborative Relationships:
Develop and maintain effective, solution-driven partnerships with the Governor’s Communications Office, state and legislative leaders, and peer agencies to advance shared priorities.
Drive Team Performance:
Set a clear vision, reinforce accountability, and establish a culture of disciplined execution and innovation.
What Success Looks Like
A proactive communications rhythm is embedded and trusted across the agency.
DSHS is recognized for consistent, credible storytelling that reinforces its mission and statewide impact.
The Governor’s Office and state partners view DSHS as a reliable, collaborative communications partner.
Internal and external messaging is aligned under a unified vision.
The communications team is accountable, aligned, and delivering at a high level.
The Type of Leadership DSHS Needs
Provides clarity and composure in high-stakes situations where credibility and public trust are at risk.
Navigates complex political and organizational environments with authority, tact, and sound judgment.
Unifies people and functions, setting direction with accountability and purpose.
Balances strategic vision with disciplined execution, ensuring that the communications strategy translates into a measurable impact.
Exemplifies transparency, integrity, and trust, reinforcing DSHS’s role as a credible statewide leader.
Qualifications We’re seeking a communications leader with the following competencies:
Executive-level communications leadership:
demonstrated ability to set strategy and deliver results in a large, complex, or high-visibility organization.
Crisis and media expertise:
proven skill in managing high-stakes issues, shaping narratives, and protecting organizational credibility and trust.
Change leadership:
success unifying diverse functions, leading teams through transition, and sustaining performance and morale.
Political and stakeholder acumen:
experience partnering effectively across executive, legislative, tribal, and community leaders.
Storytelling and engagement expertise:
ability to elevate organizational voice, connect with employees and the public, and make complex work accessible and compelling.
Customer experience orientation:
demonstrated commitment to advancing transparency and customer service that meets diverse communities where they are.
Education:
A bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Relations, or a related field is preferred.
Application Process Applications will be accepted through December 15th, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Please email a resume and cover letter to tracie.kidd@dshs.wa.gov, highlighting your interest in the role and the competencies and leadership capabilities outlined in this profile.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
#J-18808-Ljbffr