Communications Director

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) is seeking applications for a Communications Director.

This role is responsible for developing and implementing a proactive, policy-driven strategic communications plan and refining of the agency’s voice and positioning to advance MDOA’s mission and Longevity Ready Maryland. The Communications Director manages public relations efforts and serves as the primary communications liaison to the Governor’s Office. This role will also oversee and guide a communications team who will implement the communications strategy by producing high-quality content, ensuring that visual design, content strategy, accessibility, outreach activities, and information architecture are aligned with the agency’s mission, design, brand, and policy goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to promote the Department’s policy initiatives and activities in alignment with Longevity Ready Maryland, the Secretary’s goals, the Governor’s goals, and other major initiatives.
• Analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns and digital analytics to ensure strategic messaging goals are consistently met.
• Serve as the primary communications liaison to the Governor’s Office Communications team, ensuring seamless coordination, alignment of messaging, and prompt responses to Governor’s office requests.
• Write and edit high-level executive communications, including crafting all talking points and speeches, presentation visuals, and briefing materials for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Governor’s Office.
• Direct proactive media relations and public relations activities, including writing and distributing press releases, public services announcements and articles, responding to media and Public Information Act (PIA) requests, and creating thought-leadership content to promote the work of the Department.

Qualifications include:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a closely related field
• Three years of experience developing and implementing communications and content strategy to include public relations and responding to media requests
  • One of the three years must include supervising communications professionals
• Preference will be given to candidates who have one year experience in one or more of the following:
  • Developing and implementing an effective communications & content strategy in a local, state or federal government agency
  • Experience in public relations and media engagement which will include crisis communications and management
  • Experience writing executive level speeches, press releases, memorandum and other related content
  • Experience applying digital accessibility best practices and Section 508 compliance to creating accessible web content, print materials, and digital communications

Applications will be accepted until Monday, October 12, at 11:59 p.m.