Director of Communications

State Of Illinois - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Director of Communications for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is a senior-level position responsible for leading the agency's communication strategies and initiatives. This role involves formulating policies that impact statewide communications, overseeing the communication staff, and serving as the agency's spokesperson. The Director will contribute to strategic planning and ensure that all communications are culturally and linguistically accessible to Illinois families and providers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Director of the Office of Communications for IDEC, contributing to policy-making and strategic communications.
• Develop and advance a unifying brand and communication strategy for IDEC, coordinating communication activities and managing high-profile issues.
• Supervise communication staff, providing guidance, feedback, and training, while managing performance evaluations and staff assignments.
• Act as the official agency spokesperson, coordinating media inquiries and public appearances for IDEC leadership.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff or Secretary.

Requirements

• Completion of four years of college with coursework in business or public administration, communication, public affairs, or public relations.
• Four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or private organization or legislative areas.
• Bilingual writing skills and strong organizational skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to clearly communicate ideas, methods, and principles, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in a supervisory role.
• Ability to interpret and think critically about data and policy.
• Professional experience working with confidential information or sensitive issues.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities