Policy Communications Manager (WMS2/COM)

71050011

The Legislature has also approved a 2% general wage increase for all state employees, effective July 1, 2026.

The Policy Communications Manager is a rare opportunity for a seasoned communications strategist to lead highly-visible work at the center of statewide health system transformation. The position offers direct engagement with executive leadership, oversight of a skilled communications team, and a chance to shape how major health policy initiatives are communicated to the communities they serve.

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The Policy Communications Manager reports to the HCA Communications Division (COM), which provides strategic leadership, direction, and operational support for external and internal communications on agency business and strategic initiatives for the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). The Policy Communications Manager serves as a communications expert for the Strategy, Policy, and Innovation (SPI) Division and Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA), Health Equity, and select initiatives and communications efforts at HCA.

About the position:

The Policy Communications Manager is a senior leader responsible for directing strategic communication and stakeholder engagement across the agency’s highest-priority policy areas, including health system transformation, legislative affairs, health equity, and Tribal issues. The position provides expert counsel to executive leadership, manages a team of communications professionals, and serves as a key liaison between policy, leadership, and communications functions. Operating with a high degree of independence, this role shapes how complex policy decisions are communicated to diverse audiences and ensures coordinated, consistent messaging across internal teams, external partners, media, and government agencies.

This position is eligible to telework but is required to report on-site once a week to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.

Some of what you will do:

• Serve as a senior advisor to agency leadership including the Chief Communications Officer, Deputy Chief Communications Officer, Chief Policy Officer, Office of Tribal Affairs Administrator, and Health Equity Director on messaging, media strategy, communication approaches, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead and manage strategic communications and day-to-day delivery of communication tactics for complex, high-visibility initiatives, including major policy initiatives, legislative priorities, federal actions, and statewide transformation efforts.
• Manage media relations for assigned areas, including development of messaging, coordination of responses to inquiries, and preparation of agency leadership for media engagement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of communications staff; set priorities, ensure accountability, and foster a high-performing, collaborative work environment.
• Identify communication risks, gaps, and emerging issues, and proactively develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive communication strategies for Policy, Office of Tribal Affairs, Health Equity, Legislative Affairs, and other assigned priority initiatives in environments where precedent may be limited or evolving.
• Oversee the development and execution of integrated communications plans, including messaging, audience segmentation, stakeholder engagement, and multichannel delivery.
• Provide quality assurance and final review of communication products, to ensure accuracy, compliance with agency brand, accessibility, and the application of plain language principles.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships across the agency and with external partners, including other state agencies, serving as a connector and liaison between policy, leadership, and communication functions.
• Develop and oversee the development of leadership and executive communications including speeches, talking points, briefing materials, and presentations.
• Plan, advise, develop, and collaborate with agency leadership, including the Health Equity Director and project teams, to support the implementation and communication of health equity strategies and initiatives.
• Use the full suite of communications tools, including but not limited to print materials, web content, social media, GovDelivery announcements and blog articles, webinars, and visual communications to engage partners, stakeholders, HCA leadership and staff, and consumers in a proactive and strategic way.

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

Bachelor’s degree in English, public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field and five (5) years of the required experience below

Option 2:

Associate degree in a field identified above, and seven (7) years of the required experience below

Option 3:

Nine (9) years of the required experience below

Required experience includes:

• Professional public relations, communications, journalism, or media experience.
• Experience serving as a strategic communications advisor to all levels of an organization, including executive or senior leadership and influencing decision-making on high-visibility issues on sensitive issues, including media strategy and engagement.
• Experience leading, supervising, and developing staff, or operating as a senior individual contributor with significant independent responsibility.
• Experience working with or supporting government agencies, health care systems, health insurers, or other highly regulated organizations.

Required competencies:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver clear, and accurate communications about complex technical or policy-related topics, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences, including application of “Plain Language” principles to legally precise content.
• Demonstrated ability to assess communication needs, develop goals, strategies, and comprehensive communication plans, and manage work across multiple channels and priorities.
• Advanced writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce and oversee high-quality content across multiple formats (e.g. web, media, executive materials, stakeholder communications).
• Demonstrated ability to present complex information to internal and external audiences, including staff, stakeholders, partners, and community members.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at the same time and stay productive in an environment of changing priorities, timelines, expectations, and agency needs.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience leading media relations efforts, including managing inquiries, and advising leadership on strategic communications.
• Knowledge of state health care programs, commercial health care insurance, and current health care issues.
• Experience working for or with local, state, federal, or Tribal governments.
• Experience with digital communication tools and platforms, including social media strategy and best practices.
• Experience using a web content management system (e.g., Drupal) and mass email marketing system (e.g., Granicus Communications).
• Experience engaging with diverse communities, including community outreach or partnering with communities on special projects, programs, or efforts.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov.Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Lisa Fleming at (360) 725-1723 or lisa.fleming@hca.wa.gov

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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