Director of Communications

Public Information Director II (NS)

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.
The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.
The Communications Director serves as a senior member of the Communications leadership team and as the primary strategic communications advisor to Department of Commerce leadership, while also acting as a key liaison to the Governor's Press and Policy Offices. This position is central to advancing the mission of the Department of Commerce and the Commerce Communications and External/Public Affairs Office, supporting the Governor's priorities and statewide economic development objectives.
This role provides agency-wide communications leadership and direction for the Department's communications function, including strategy development, media relations, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and digital communications. The position is responsible for shaping, directing, and protecting the reputational brand of the Department and supporting a consistent and coordinated communications approach across all divisions, programs, and external partners. The Director operates with a high degree of independence and exercises professional judgment and decision-making authority in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. This includes managing complex and sensitive communications, such as crisis and issues response and confidential economic development projects. The position provides executive-level counsel on messaging, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to how the Department's initiatives and outcomes are understood by the public.
This position requires advanced and specialized knowledge of North Carolina state government operations; the Governor's Administration; the Department of Commerce; and the State's economic development and workforce ecosystem, including industries, businesses, incentive programs, and key stakeholder relationships. The role also requires expertise in communications strategy, media relations, executive communications, and leadership within a complex, multi-division agency environment.
The Commerce Communications and External/Public Affairs Office provide leadership for strategic communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement in support of the Department's mission and the priorities of the Governor's Administration. The Office is responsible for planning, developing, executing, and evaluating comprehensive communications strategies that promote North Carolina's economic competitiveness and effectively communicate the programs, services, and initiatives of the Department of Commerce. This includes coordinating communications across a broad range of internal and external audiences, including Commerce employees, the Governor's Office, the North Carolina General Assembly, state and local agencies, economic development partners, domestic and international businesses, media organizations, and the general public. The Office ensures consistent, accurate, and strategic messaging and plays a critical role in supporting statewide communications outcomes by shaping how Commerce-led initiatives, economic development projects, and workforce programs are understood and communicated across North Carolina. The Office also supports high-profile initiatives that influence public perception of the State's economic competitiveness and reputation.
Applicants who possess the following qualifications may receive management preference:
Experience in state government, public sector communications, or working with executive leadership and elected officials.
Experience in economic development, workforce development, or public policy-related communications.
Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing communications programs at an organizational or enterprise level.
Demonstrated experience to effectively plan and coordinate frequent domestic and international travel in support of program operations.
Must possess and maintain a valid, unexpired U.S. passport and a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits to include:
12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave
North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna
Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision
NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans
WeSave Employee Discounts
Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the benefits link.
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Please make sure you complete the application in full. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include all work experience, the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the graduation date, and certificates/licenses. Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered in screening for qualifying credit. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
For consideration for this vacancy, all applicants must complete an online application. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be evaluated for consideration.
Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
By providing the requested information, you certify that you have given true, accurate and complete information on this attachment to the best of your knowledge. In the event confirmation is needed in connection with your work, you authorize educational institutions, associations, registration and licensing boards, and others to furnish whatever detail is available concerning your qualifications. You authorize investigation of all statements made in this application and understand that false information or documentation, or a failure to disclose relevant information may be grounds for rejection of your application, disciplinary action or dismissal if you are employed, and(or) criminal action. You further understand that dismissal upon employment shall be mandatory if fraudulent disclosures are given to meet position qualifications (Authority: GS 126-30, GS 14- 122.1).
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 and click "Application Status." If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification. The processing of applications will take an average of 5 business days due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application or possible interview.
If applicants earned a foreign degree, foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency and must be submitted to Human Resources for verification. There are several organizations that perform this specialized service, feel free to use any service of your choosing. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options on their website that can provide credential verification.
Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media, journalism, English or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and eight years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
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: Denise Roberts
Recruiter Email: DENISE.ROBERTS@COMMERCE.NC.GOV