Chief Communications Officer

Chief Communications Officer Print ( Apply ufeff Chief Communications Officer Salary $95,892.00 - $153,432.00 Annually Location Denver, CO Job Type Full Time Job Number ILA 05847 01/16/2026 Department Colorado Department of Human Services Division BHA - Opening Date 01/21/2026 Closing Date 2/10/2026 11:59 PM Mountain FLSA Determined by Position Type of Announcement This position is open only to Colorado state residents. Primary Physical Work Address 710 S. Ash Street, Unit C140 Denver, CO 80246 FLSA Status Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Department Contact Information How To Apply Please submit an online application for this position at Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed. + Description + Benefits + Questions Department Information This position is open to current Colorado residents only. Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Opt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events CDHSCareers Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details Description of Job About This Position: The Chief Communications Officer will be responsible for bringing together a holistic and integrated vision for the BHAu2019s strategic communications and marketing. Reporting to the Commissioner, they will provide transformational leadership to a team developing and implementing thoughtful, people-centered communications strategies. The role advances the BHAu2019s mission and impact by leading a powerful and dynamic team that fosters an environment of collaboration, curiosity, innovation, belonging, and authenticity. The Communications Director works with the team in a way that creates safety and comfort for themselves and others. This role is a key partner in BHA leadership, developing strategy, crafting editorial content, harmonizing internal communications, and establishing trusting relationships with staff, community, and the press. The Communications Director works with agency partners, provider networks, and the people of Colorado to manage brand development and lead all communication efforts, bringing experience as a passionate storyteller, a digital innovator, and an excellent verbal and written communicator. Description of Job: + Develops and executes a comprehensive strategic communications plan for the BHA in coordination with the Governoru2019s office and collaboration with the BHA communications team, with a focus on thought leadership, executive positioning, and proactive brand building through earned media, social media, events, and digital platforms. + Prioritizes and designs systems with accessibility; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); plain language; and belonging. + Adopts new digital tools and implements process improvements. + Brings a deep empathy for people in Colorado experiencing crisis and seeking meaningful, trusted, and accessible behavioral health care. + Collaborates with BHA leadership team, community, and external partners who specialize in behavioral health to ensure communications strategies are mission-aligned and tied to the BHA strategic plan. + Provides guidance and tactical insights to support teams across the BHA to effectively apply creative concepts, ensuring that programs have the right assets and channels to support the overall strategy. + Operates with a growth mindset, consistently testing and refining tactics while striving for greater efficiencies. + Develop and manage a crisis communications plan. + Shapes, reports, and improves key communications KPIs with a strong numbers orientation and a curiosity about experimentation. + Travels within and outside the State of Colorado for state agency and stakeholder meetings. + Ensures all external communication efforts meet team and BHA accessibility, DEI, and belonging standards with experience writing alt-text and implementing other digital accessibility practices. + Leads BHA audience and channel mapping work to better understand the alignment of tools and audience segments. + Demonstrates knowledge of best practices around inclusive, equitable, plain, accessible, and gender-expansive language. + Leads the development and evolution of the BHA brand and style guides. + Serves as executive authority for BHA marketing campaigns and digital advertising supporting and guiding decisions made by the Deputy Communications Director. + Imagine and plan BHA press conferences and public-facing media events. + Leads the BHA approach to storytelling and content creation, developing a collection of collateral, including publications, reports, web content, email, social media, video, print, and ads. + Works with staff and consultants to set and achieve targets for social media engagement; oversee content creation, ad spending, and community partnerships. + Identifies audiences, develops, and ensures implementation of consistent and targeted messaging for the BHA to each type of audience. + Represents the interests of the BHA in the media; supporting the Media Manager to prioritize where and how senior leadership and an expanded team of subject matter experts can and should be leveraged in the media to increase credibility and exposure. Oversee the development of content and dissemination of BHA external communications including but not limited to the website, public reports, press releases, and newsletter(s). + Works with department heads to craft messaging and manage the flow of information across the organization developing talking points, as well as slide decks and other presentation resources. + Implements internal communications objectives with tactical deliverables to drive engagement and ownership of the mission, culture and administration priorities. + Manages processes/protocols for internal communications. + Nurtures relationships with agency partners, central to BHAu2019s strategic plan and infrastructure for the daily functions of the BHA. + Collaborates and leads engagement during major communications moments and tragedies, as appropriate. + Evaluates results and assesses activities, employee surveys, events and other tools, and uses data to propose and test new solutions. + Leads the Behavioral Health Joint Information Center (BH JIC), coordinating meeting logistics, drafting agendas, and facilitating interagency collaboration. + Engages both leadership and the team across teams to manage change as well as shapes a culture of collaborative, values-aligned behavioral health reform. + Owns and focuses on DEI, belonging, and accessibility, champions diverse stories, and centers lived experience. + Supervises through first or second-tier management a total of 6 FTE staff. + Fulfills all supervisory duties including training, coaching, and regular supervision to ensure the programs are appropriately staffed and selected staff members are the best qualified and prepared for maximum productivity and job and program success. + Plans, prioritizes, and assigns workload, and analyzes and monitors workflow and progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meets standards, deadlines for deliverables, and program goals and objectives. + Establishes work schedules, and reviews and approves work time and absences using the automated system. + Identify training and developmental needs and provide training to develop skills. + Provides feedback and coaching; writes, reviews, and signs performance plans; evaluate and sign performance evaluations. + Resolves employee performance problems and issues, disputes, and informal (Step 1) grievances; issue corrective actions and initiate discipline as needed. + Write and review position descriptions, recommend promotions or demotions, changes in pay, and sign personnel action forms. + Initiate the hiring process, provide subject matter expertise during the comparative analysis process, interview applicants, and hire employees after consultation with the second-level appointing authority. + Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Department and Statewide policies and procedures. Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience Only: Nine (9) years of relevant experience in communications, marketing, public relations or closely related field OR Education and Experience: A combination of related education in ccommunications, advertising, marketing, English, journalism or a closely related field and/or relevant experience in communications, marketing, public relations or closely related field equal to nine (9) years. Preferred Qualifications: + Experience with the Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) + Experience working with content management systems, general knowledge of SEO and web traffic metrics + Experience working with eMarketing systems, MailChimp preferred + Excellent communication skills, including superior writing skills + Experience writing overview documents and talking points using the voice of an executive + Experience writing and communications through multiple channels, including websites, social media, print communication, partner communication, eMarketing communication, and more + Experience serving as a spokesperson for an organization + Experience in the public sector/government + Ability and willingness to work with executives and senior leaders + Highly motivated and organized + Ability to work independently and as a contributing member of a team + Ability to work with multiple, competing deadlines daily; ability to easily transition from one priority to another and manage constant interruptions, while remaining productive and meeting deadlines Conditions of Employment: + Standard background check and reference check required + This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position. + Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an ongoing capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc. + Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driveru2019s License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border + Out-of-State Driveru2019s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driveru2019s License within 30 days of employment start date. + Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program + Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must: + Disclose that information on the application. + Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position. + Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS. CDHS Selection Process Explanation Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements. Minimum Qualification Screening Process A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications. Do not use

Created: 2026-01-23