Strategic Communications Division Chief

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

Are you a strategic communicator who thrives at the intersection of marketing, media, and customer experience?

California's Employment Development Department (EDD) is seeking a dynamic communications leader to head its Strategic Communications Division — a high-impact role responsible for shaping how millions of Californians engage with critical public services.

This position leads the Department’s communications, brand, marketing, and public education efforts, including website content, social media, digital advertising, and media relations. You’ll guide integrated campaigns that translate complex programs into clear, customer-friendly messaging and ensure communications are consistent, accessible, and trusted statewide.

The role also plays a key leadership part in EDDNext, a multi-year modernization initiative focused on transforming the customer experience through improved plain-language communications, digital services, an integrated contact center, and emerging tools such as chatbots.

If you enjoy building strategy, rolling up your sleeves to execute, and leading teams through change in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, this is an opportunity to make meaningful, statewide impact.

Position located at 1419 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

This position exists in downtown Sacramento at EDD's new headquarters located in the remodeled Labor & Workforce Development Agency building - adjacent to light rail and the State Capitol.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

The person selected for this position will need to be available to work a 40 hour work week, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Schedules may be flexible.

Special Requirements

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at .

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.

• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment

To apply for this position, you must obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the examination. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination unless your list eligibility has expired.

Click the examination link below for more information and to take the exam:

For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job, click here .

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• A professional background in marketing and/or media relations
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings effectively and resolve disagreements with diplomacy and tact
• Experience with clear and professional written materials for public consumption, and communication tactics to target a broad and diverse audience
• Familiarity with any of the EDD's services and programs
• Positive attitude, open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website, , and the CalPERS website, .

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required . The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is not a resume or cover letter. Resumes and/or Cover Letters DO NOT take the place of the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ or an SOQ submitted without following instructions may not receive further consideration and may be excluded from the hiring process.

The SOQ should be typed in no less than 11 point font and no more than two pages in length. List each question with your response.

1. Using the Duty Statement for this position listed on the job posting, please describe the training and work experience that has prepared you to perform the responsibilities for this role. Provide specific examples of your experience and knowledge in leading large marketing campaigns, managing vendor deliverables, and using a variety of tactics to target a broad and diverse audience.
2. Describe your knowledge and experience in engaging with media, leading a team in building strong media relations, and coordinating with executives on summarizing complex and sensitive information into clear and concise responses.
3. Describe your strong ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, including internal and external partners as well as how you help build consensus to accomplish the organization's goals and objectives.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other -
  A Cover Letter is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required. Please see “Statement of Qualifications Requirements” section for more information about the SOQ.