Deputy Director (Chief Communications Officer) (Media)

 

The mission of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is to provide statewide leadership of a high-quality mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery system that is effective and valued by all Ohioans.

OhioMHAS Values:

• Contribute and Collaborate
• Serve Compassionately
• Deliver Quality
• Be Accountable

We are recruiting for a Deputy Director to fulfill the role as agency Chief Communications Officer. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Works under administrative direction from agency Director & requires thorough knowledge of management & communications/journalism in order to assist Director in defining agency goals & objectives & act as agency's Chief Communications Officer;
• Serves as Deputy Director of Public Affairs; assists Director by defining agency goals,  objectives,  strategies, and initiatives, developing policies, procedures, and designing agency legislative and communication programs; establishes timelines, leads the implementation, and evaluation of policy proposals; serves as project manager for policy and communication related informational and educational initiatives;  researches and disseminates information necessary to interpret legislative mandates; conducts and/or oversees surveys and evaluations; develops and maintains strategic alliance with advocacy groups, boards, and other stakeholders; advises and/or consults with Director, other staff, and stakeholders relative to existing, and proposed federal, state, and local policy initiatives. 
• Represents agency on committees, boards, and commissions; may be designated to act as Director in absence of Director or Assistant Directors when assigned; collaborates with various divisions and other agencies to ensure internal and external alignment with departmental goals, strategies, and initiatives; leads agency legislative affairs initiatives; represents agency in legislation-related areas impacting agency, agency programs, ensuring timely and appropriate departmental involvement; acts as liaison between federal, state, and local government officials, representatives, legislatives officials, government agencies advocacy groups, and other stakeholders; reviews and analyzes existing and proposed legislation; researches, develops and/or revises legislative content; analyzes existing and proposed  programs; recommends legislative and communication strategy to Director and other agency staff; oversees implementation of legislative marketing and communication strategies; works with other agency divisions to represent the agency before Controlling Board and JCARR.
• Supervises assigned policy and communication staff, provides direction for all legislative and policy initiatives; writes, reviews, edits policy briefs, reports, legislative summaries, position papers, and impact statements; makes presentations and speeches relative to policy and legislative goals, strategies, and initiatives.

Education &/or experience in communications or journalism or other relevant experience as determined by the appointing authority.