Director of Strategic Communications (Director of Communications)

Salary: $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: Temporary Grant - Full-Time
Job Number: 188136
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Division: Office of Communications
Opening Date: 05/07/2026
Closing Date: 5/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: BC52
Position Number:: 61079178
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN12
Hiring Range - Min.: $100,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $110,000.00
Opening Date: 05/07/2026
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application not being referred.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
*This is a Temporary Grant Position. *
The Agency's mission is to be boldly innovative in improving the health and quality of life for South Carolinians.
This position is located in the Office of Communications & Public Relations , Richland County.
This is an in-office role and not a telecommute or remote position.

Are you the One? We are looking for a Director of Strategic Communications (Director of Communications) who develops and directs strategy-driven comprehensive communications for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This position is responsible for directing and administering public relations and marketing programs designed to promote the Agency's mission, goals, activities, and projects. Plans, develops and directs communication strategies and short and long-range public information campaigns designed to enhance the Agency's branding and promote and explain SCDHHS' goals, activities, and objectives. Manages and furthers the Agency's social media strategy, increasing social media applications such as X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as blog communications. Oversees the enhancement of the Agency's website to maximize communications goals, and stakeholder engagement with members, providers, partners, and the public.
Oversees creative engagement of Medicaid members, the media, the healthcare community, consumers, and the public, leveraging agency data and state national trends to extend messaging and create local tie-in. Oversees the development, review, and dissemination of all Agency communications and application of appropriate vehicles and tools for specific stakeholder groups.
Develops and maintains outreach calendar to ensure Agency presence at civic, professional, and consumer-related organizations. Coordinates promotions and educational programs with other agencies and stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and leveraging communications impact.
Performs fundamental supervisory and leadership functions in accordance with Department policies and procedures, best practices and Federal and State rules and regulations, especially with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) standards. Maintains an effective organizational team and motivates diverse staff to accomplish mission critical operations and objectives.
Leads or supports other projects proactively or as assigned by Agency leadership. Projects may require driving to location outside of regular office location. Continuously engages in process improvement to support Agency, Division, and Bureau-wide strategies, objectives, and initiatives.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE and TGE positions that includes: Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
15 days sick leave per year.
13 paid holidays.
State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.
Minimum and Additional Requirements

A bachelor's degree and three (3) years of public relations and communications experience in an administrative capacity.

All degrees must be from a college or higher education institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education & Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted with prior State Human Resources approval.

Preferred: Experience in dealing with politically sensitive information.

Additional Requirements: Valid driver's license.
Occasional overnight travel.
Requires holder to drive routinely.
Sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Overtime and/or weekend work with Deputy approval.
Lifting requirements: 20 lbs.
In-office role.
Preferred Qualifications Ability to write clear and effective policy, promotional, and public information content.
Public speaking and presentation skills required.
Knowledge of journalistic principles and practices and techniques of disseminating information to the public, through traditional methods and social media.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in planning, composing, editing and producing publications.
Knowledge of principles and methods of budgeting, planning, conducting and supervising large-scale public relations programs.
Experience in crisis management and crisis messaging.
Knowledge of Medicaid and SCDHHS programs, policies, procedures, objectives and goals.
Ability to gather, organize and present oral and written information in a clear, concise and accurate manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the communication media and general public.
Knowledge of state government and the legislative process. Ability to work independently and professionally.
Ability to lead and manage team of communications professionals.
Ability to handle public, media, and legislative requests for information, and to direct comprehensive agency efforts with limited supervision.
Must exercise a high degree of judgment, discretion and maintain strict confidentiality standards.
Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet deadlines.

Additional Comments

Please complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application for qualification purposes. All applicants must apply online. All correspondence from the Office of Human Resources will be through electronic mail.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
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The responses you provide to these Supplemental Questions will be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Please, thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of your application and the Supplemental Questions. Failure to provide detailed and complete information will result in your application being rejected. Any misrepresentation or omissions will result in your disqualification from employment and/or termination. You may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree with the above. Yes
No

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I understand that this is a Temporary Grant position. Yes
No

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The established hiring range for this position is $100,00 to $110,000. Do you accept this range? Yes
No

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Do you have a bachelor's degree? Yes
No

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Do you have at least three (3) years of public relations and communications experience in an administrative capacity? Yes
No

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Do you have a valid driver's license? If yes, please provide your driver's license number and state of issuance.
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Do you wish to claim Veteran Preference? If yes, you must submit a copy of your DD214 Form with your job application in order to qualify and claim this preference. Yes
No

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How did you hear about this career opportunity?
Required Question