Digital Communications Manager

Location: Austin, TX

About the role

Under the general direction of the DSHS Communications Director, this position establishes communication goals and objectives for the agency’s multimedia efforts. Responsible for coordination and implementation of DSHS multimedia, brand strategy, and marketing campaigns related to public awareness of health issues, health promotion, health education, and DSHS services. Ensures branding and multimedia communication strategies align with the agency’s mission, comply with agency policy, and reflect the agency’s services. Provides thought leadership to the Communications Director, Chief of Staff, and DSHS leadership, driving innovation, best practices, and strategy related to public health communications and brand.

This role provides highly advanced managerial support to the Communications Director on projects related to strategic planning and special initiatives. It requires strategic thinking, excellent interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and exceptional writing and content development abilities. As part of agency emergency response, the position may require extended or alternate hours during a public health emergency.

Responsibilities

• Provide managerial support, leadership, and strategic direction for the Communications Unit and agency public awareness campaigns under the direction of the Communications Director.
• Advise DSHS leadership and staff on effective communication strategies, policies, and protocols for public engagement via videos, radio, social media, websites, print, or other materials.
• Provide highly advanced managerial support to the Communications Director on marketing and multimedia projects, including key branding and strategy input for agency-wide communication campaigns.
• Oversee market research and campaign efforts, including developing campaigns, advising program areas, approving content, and evaluating performance to ensure consistency with the overall DSHS communication strategy.
• Drive innovation, best practices, and strategy related to DSHS public health communication and branding, building the agency’s reputation as digitally forward.
• Build and coordinate Communications team organization, workflow, and outputs.
• Assist the Communications Director with departmental and campaign-related budget oversight.
• Coordinate with the HHS system to ensure consistency in communications.
• Collaborate with Media Relations and Governmental Affairs units to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent dissemination of critical public health communications.
• Develop, oversee, and evaluate long-term goals and strategies for new media initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day work of marketing and multimedia teams, including workflow, project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Monitor staff performance and conduct annual performance reviews.
• Expand and oversee DSHS video, motion graphics, and animation capacity.
• Oversee the work of the social media team, including online conversations, trends, and emerging topics regarding public health issues in accordance with DSHS policy.
• Oversee content development for social media platforms in coordination with DSHS programs and contractors to support public and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure DSHS social media accounts comply with applicable HHS and DSHS social media policies.
• Partner with agency departments to provide technical assistance on appropriate use of online material, messaging, and consistency of posts to align with DSHS mission and policies.
• Create, advise, and/or oversee the development of communication products such as social media posts, articles, special features, executive communications, PowerPoint presentations, advertising copy, announcements, videos, newsletters, correspondence, and reports.
• Collaborate with and support other Chief of Staff functions, including Media Relations, Governmental Affairs, and Office of Compliance and System Coordination as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including participation in disaster response, recovery, or continuity of operations activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

Requirements

• A minimum of five years of experience in multimedia communications development and execution.
• Experience with brand and public awareness campaigns.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience planning and implementing communication strategies, including content and programs for internal and external audiences.
• Experience in writing, editing, and overseeing content production in various formats, including print, digital, video, and social media.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in communications or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Skills

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to communication strategies, including online communications and limited-English proficiency within the public sector.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Knowledge of branding and social media trends, platforms, and measurement tools.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic communications, social media, social marketing, and emerging media communications.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards required to comply with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act.
• Knowledge of current marketing practices and principles.
• Knowledge of AP Stylebook and Plain Language principles.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Skill in operating computers and applicable software related to communication and graphic design.
• Skill in advanced writing, composition, and editing.
• Skill with Microsoft Office products and graphics design/editing tools.
• Skill in leading teams for successful outcomes.
• Skill in project management, including managing multiple and competing priorities and projects.
• Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.
• Skill in written and oral communication and public speaking.
• Skill in developing collaborative working relationships with diverse cross-functional groups.
• Skill in strategic communication planning.
• Ability to manage multimedia team activities.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives related to strategic planning, communications, and management.
• Ability to creatively synthesize information from a variety of sources to address questions and problems.
• Ability to supervise the work of others.
• Ability to communicate effectively and prepare reports.
• Ability to devise solutions to administrative problems.
• Ability to track numerous projects at different development stages from conceptualization to final product.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other government officials, and the public.
• Ability to develop marketing strategies and communicate them effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

Pay

Salary Range: $7,000.00 - $7,939.00 per month

Schedule

• Full-time
• Day shift
• Regular schedule with potential for extended or alternate hours during public health emergencies
• FLSA Exempt