Media Relations Director

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Secretary's Office

Job Classification Title

Public Information Director I (NS)

Position Number

60037832

Grade

NC21

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Media Relations Director leads the department’s press response, public records compliance, and public engagement strategies to advance the mission of improving the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. The Director manages a complex, fast-paced public information program for a large State agency that averages more than 2,300 media requests each year.

The Director serves as a primary media communications advisor and key spokesperson for department leadership, coordinating closely with the Governor's Office, other state agencies, and diverse stakeholders. This position operates with significant independence in partnership with the Director of Strategic Communications and reporting to the Senior Director of Communications.

Team Leadership & Management: Supervise and direct the Media Relations Team, including the press and public records teams. Oversee professional communications specialists, events manager, media relations personnel, and support staff.

Media Strategy & Response: Plan, design, and execute comprehensive media relations strategies. Act as the primary agency spokesperson when necessary, coordinating both proactive public relations campaigns and crisis messaging. Anticipate emerging issues, risks, and shifts in the media and political landscape.

Advanced Writing & Storytelling: Craft press releases, media advisories, and stakeholder letters, developing high-quality content for a variety of audiences under tight deadlines. Ensure public materials and media responses are vetted and align with department strategy.

Executive Advising: Work closely with leadership and department experts to create public communication plans, write clear talking points, and share the best ways to connect with the public.

Relationship Management: Build and sustain strong working relationships with local, state, and national news media representatives, community advocacy groups, and the general public.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $70,627.00 - $137,724.00

Recruitment Range: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods, and modern practices of planning and executing large-scale public relations and media engagement strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of journalistic standards, AP style, publication layout, digital media tracking, and multimedia production techniques.
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate a staff of communications professionals in drafting press releases, handling complex media inquiries, and managing high-volume public records requests.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise mature judgment, analyze high-stakes situations rapidly, and make sound decisions under tight deadlines.
• Experience planning and executing in-person and virtual events, including press conferences, media briefings, stakeholder roundtables, community forums, and executive events.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex health and technical data into clear, accessible public information.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date 

This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds

This Role Is Eligible To Be Hybrid And Requires Onsite Reporting Located Within Raleigh, NC

About the Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Secretary serves as the executive leadership arm of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), guiding the Department’s mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. Through strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, the Secretary’s Office supports the effective coordination of over a dozen core divisions, ensuring that agency-wide priorities are aligned, resources are used responsibly, and services are delivered with equity and impact.

About DHHS Office of Communications

The Office of Communications is the central press, public relations, marketing and communications section for DHHS. Through outreach materials, news releases, interviews, fact sheets, web pages, and other publications, the staff in this unit helps the public understand programs and issues. This office is the liaison with the news media and assists department staff with development of media and communications strategies to handle special events and crises and other communication to citizens and key stakeholder groups. The Office of Communications supports the department's three priority areas: Children and Family Well-Being, Behavioral Health and Resilience and Strong and Inclusive Workforce.

Compensation and Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.
• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• 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.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media, journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience

EEO Statement

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:

Dejah Victoria Seksay

Contact:

DHHS Workday Support Form