Director of Communications

Salary:

$79,600.00 - $143,300.00 Annually
Location :

Richland County, SC
Job Type:

FTE - Full-Time
Job Number:

188889
Agency:

First Steps
Division:

SC First Steps
Opening Date:

06/01/2026
Closing Date:

6/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code::

BC52
Position Number::

61070042
Normal Work Schedule::

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade:

GEN12
Hiring Range - Min.:

$79,600.00
Hiring Range - Max.:

$111,500.00
Opening Date:

06/01/2026
EEO Statement:

Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures::

All applicants must apply online. A cover letter and resume are required by the agency to be considered for this position.
Veteran Preference Statement:

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? South Carolina First Steps is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service.

A cover letter and resume are required by the agency to be considered for this position.
The Responsibilities of the Director of Communications:

Under the direction of the Agency Director, this position uses data to drive collaborative marketing and communication strategies that ensure positive relationships with all stakeholders (parents with young children, local partnerships, First Steps 4K sites, early childhood partners, other state agencies, legislators, media, and the State Board of Trustees) and yield measurable progress towards the agency's five-year goals. The Director drives innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement within the agency's communications infrastructure, leading a high-performing team responsible for brand management, program marketing, public information, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. As a key leader within South Carolina's comprehensive early childhood system, the Director plays a key role in the agency's mission of directing $80M in funding to support children birth through five and supports the essential work of the Early Childhood Advisory Council.
Skills and Abilities: Must be a self-starter, able to work independently, and possess excellent judgment. Must be able to innovate, develop new systems, processes, and projects. Must be entrepreneurial, flexible, hard-working, and reliable. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and collaborate with staff and partners.

Proficiency in developing and implementing integrated communications strategies that align with organizational priorities and legislative goals. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to secure earned media and manage media relations. Expertise in managing multi-channel platforms such as websites, social media, and digital newsletters to drive engagement. Ability to use data and performance benchmarks to inform communication decisions and demonstrate program impact. Ability to lead complex statewide initiatives, exercise sound judgment in high-visibility situations, and influence diverse stakeholders toward shared goals. Additional abilities include adapting messaging based on data and changing needs, building sustainable communication systems, leading high-performing teams, and representing the agency effectively in public, media, and legislative settings.
Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive, statewide, multi-channel marketing and communications strategy aligned with agency priorities and goals. Translates organizational objectives into coordinated communication plans that increase public awareness of school readiness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote participation in early childhood programs across South Carolina. Serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on messaging, positioning, and communication strategies that advance the agency's mission, reputation, and overall impact. Identifies opportunities to elevate organizational visibility and strengthen engagement at the local, regional, and state levels.
Directs content strategy and communications operations across digital platforms, including websites and social media. Establishes editorial standards, workflows, and quality control processes grounded in plain language and communications best practices. Oversee the development and dissemination of consistent, high-quality messaging and content. Leads and develops a high-performing communications team by setting expectations, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, and supporting staff growth and professional development.
Build and maintain a strong relationship with internal teams, local partnerships, 4K sites, media, and external stakeholders to ensure coordinated and proactive communications. Oversees media relations, including press strategy, crisis communications. and storytelling to enhance agency visibility and credibility. Develops and executes earned media strategies to increase positive statewide coverage. Supports executive leadership with preparation of speeches, presentations, reports, legislative briefings, and other public-facing communications. Ensures communication strategies effectively support stakeholder engagement and inform policy discussions related to early childhood education.
Represents the agency in meetings, events, and collaborative efforts as needed to support communications, public engagement, and stakeholder relations. Performs other strategic communications, marketing, and other duties as assigned by the Agency Director to support agency priorities and emerging initiatives.
Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implement management policies and initiatives and promote teamwork.
Minimum and Additional Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, business administration, public relations, marketing, public administration or a related field with at least five years of demonstrated progressive leadership experience in strategic communications, public relations, and/ or marketing. Demonstrated proven track record of developing and executing strategic marketing and communication plans with measurable impact. Supervisory experience, including performance management and staff development.
Additional Requirements:

Position requires non-essential declaration.
Position may be required to report to work during emergency situations.
Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree and experience in public sector, education, healthcare, nonprofit, or similarly regulated environments.

Additional Comments
SC First Steps 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.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. 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.

SC First Steps offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:
Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click for additional information.
15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
15 days sick leave per year
13 paid holidays
Paid Parental Leave
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
Retirement benefit choices*

State Retirement Plan
State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
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.
01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

Yes
No

02

I understand that a resume is required by the agency to be considered for this position. By selecting "yes" I am confirming that I have attached my resume.

Yes
No

03

Do you at least possess a bachelor's degree in communications, business administration, public relations, marketing, public administration or a related field?

Yes
No

04

Do you possess at least five years of demonstrated progressive leadership experience in strategic communications, public relations, and/ or marketing?

Yes
No

05

Can you at least demonstrate a proven track record of developing and executing strategic marketing and communication plans with measurable impact and have a supervisory experience, including performance management and staff development?

Yes
No

06

Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to this position.
07

Do you have the ability to communicate effectively?

Yes
No

08

How did you hear about this position?

SC State Jobs Website - jobs.sc.gov
Indeed.com
LinkedIn.com
A current employee
A former employee
Other (please specify below)

09

If you answered "other" to the question above, please specify where you heard about this position below.
Required Question