Deputy Secretary External Affairs - SEC

## Deputy Secretary for External Affairs - SECApply:
Wake County, NC:
Full time:
Posted Today:
End Date:
October 2, 2026 (21 days left to apply):
JR-123573
** Agency
* * Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources
** Division
* * OPS Deputy Secretary
** Job Classification Title
** Deputy Secretary/Commissioner I (NS)
** Position Number
**** Grade
* * NC25  
** About Us
** The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people’s lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program.

These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.  
** Description of Work
** The Deputy Secretary for External Affairs serves as one of four deputy secretaries and a key member of DNCR’s executive leadership team, responsible for shaping and advancing the agency’s external-facing priorities and statewide visibility. The role guides DNCR’s communication strategy and oversees communications, marketing, media relations, crisis communication, digital strategy, and public affairs for the agency. It also provides strategic leadership and oversight for DNCR’s externally focused African American Heritage Commission, American Indian Heritage Commission, North Carolina Arts Council, and Office of K–12 Education and Outreach.

The Deputy Secretary leads agency wide coordination to ensure consistent, inclusive, and mission‐aligned messaging, public engagement, and stakeholder collaboration across programs.

Key Responsibilities    
• Provide executive-level leadership and strategic direction as part of DNCR’s senior leadership team.

• Lead agency wide communication, marketing, media relations, crisis response, and digital strategy functions.

• Oversee Public Information Officers, marketing personnel, and communications staff across DNCR divisions.

• Provide executive oversight to DNCR’s African American Heritage Commission, American Indian Heritage Commission, Arts Council, and K–12 Education and Outreach.

• Ensure consistent and mission‐aligned messaging and engagement across the agency.

• Lead crisis communication strategy and coordinate response across divisions and partner agencies.
** Knowledge

Skills and Abilities

/Management Preferences
***
* Please note:

Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.
**** Recruitment Range: $89,596-$165,000
**** To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.
** Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following are preferred:
* Demonstrated experience leading large teams toward shared strategic goals.
* Demonstrated expertise in communications, public affairs, marketing, and/or…