Full Job Description

Description

Note: This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

About us:

The Office of the State Treasurer (OST) is the bank for Washington state government. OST provides banking, investment, debt issuance, and accounting services for state government and plays a major role in providing financial services to local government. The agency has a staff of approximately 60 employees committed to promoting and maintaining public trust and confidence through consistent application of responsible financial practices, providing quality customer service, and continually striving to improve agency efficiency and productivity. For more information about our office, please visit our website: Washington State Treasurer

Opportunity:

The Office of the State Treasurer (OST) is seeking an experienced Communications Director to join our Team. This new position reports to the Chief of Staff and is responsible for the management of the day-to-day communications of the office. As the Communications Director you will plan, develop and execute communication strategies that cultivate our relationships and engagement with target audiences such as the media, legislative staff, state executives, clients, etc. Collaborate with all internal teams to create consistent and standardized communications for internal or external dissemination.

Manage all activities of the Communications Team, which includes supervision of the office’s Communications and Public Relations Coordinator in the development and maintenance of the agency’s website, internal communications, and social media.

This position requires strong writing skills and a working knowledge of the Legislature and/or state government. As the communications director you must be able to identify political as well as policy implications of the agency’s actions.

Accountability – Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of his/her work and can be relied upon to achieve excellent results.

Communication Effectiveness – Demonstrates ability to consistently communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Presents information clearly, concisely and logically using language the audience will best understand. Ability to comprehend routine to complex directives and regulations, conduct research, compile data, and prepare written documents or reports.

Duties
Essential Functions:

• Develop and manage comprehensive communication strategies and programs to support internal and external business requirements.
• Establish and maintain positive professional relationships with various members of the media, legislature, government executives, clients, etc. Speak on the record, field and respond to new media calls as a spokesperson for the office.
• Collaborate with agency leadership in the execution and dissemination of agency communications to include various online platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.
• Collaborate with other office staff to draft and finalize statements, quotes, and media advisories.
• Manage the maintenance of the agency websites to include methods to deliver agency message, ease of navigation, and clarity of information.
• Occasional travel with the Treasurer and organize post-event interviews.
• Supervise the Communications and Public Relations Coordinator in the development of digital and internal communication, written press materials, press releases and speeches. Manage the approval process with leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate the facilitation of media interviews for agency executives, leadership members, subject matter experts or other spokespersons.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Political Science or closely allied field; and at least seven years of experience working in a journalism, media, non-profit or government communications, or public relations capacity.
• Any combination of education and other relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience working in a political environment and working with a high-level principal.
• Superior ability to write in a journalistic style.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound media relations guidance and advice.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of Washington State issues, communities, agencies and the state legislative process.