Agency
Dept of Commerce
Division
Communications and External Affairs
Job Classification Title
Public Information Director II (NS)
Position Number
60081258
Grade
NC24
About Us
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.
The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.
Description of Work
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
The posting will close and stop accepting applications at 11:59 pm on the night prior to the closing date posted above.
This is an Exempt Managerial Position.
This is an Internal to Commerce only Posting.
The position requires extensive travel, both domestic and international.
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement. Based on the business need, the position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, subject to management approval.
Description of Work:
The Communications Director serves as a senior member of the Communications leadership team and as the primary strategic communications advisor to Department of Commerce leadership, while also acting as a key liaison to the Governor's Press and Policy Offices. This position is central to advancing the mission of the Department of Commerce and the Commerce Communications and External/Public Affairs Office, supporting the Governor's priorities and statewide economic development objectives.
This role provides agency-wide communications leadership and direction for the Department's communications function, including strategy development, media relations, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and digital communications. The position is responsible for shaping, directing, and protecting the reputational brand of the Department and supporting a consistent and coordinated communications approach across all divisions, programs, and external partners.
The Director operates with a high degree of independence and exercises professional judgment and decision-making authority in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. This includes managing complex and sensitive communications, such as crisis and issues response and confidential economic development projects. The position provides executive-level counsel on messaging, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to how the Department's initiatives and outcomes are understood by the public.
This position requires advanced and specialized knowledge of North Carolina state government operations; the Governor's Administration; the Department of Commerce; and the State's economic development and workforce ecosystem, including industries, businesses, incentive programs, and key stakeholder relationships. The role also requires expertise in communications strategy, media relations, executive communications, and leadership within a complex, multi-division agency environment.
About the Division of Communications and External Affairs:
The Commerce Communications and External/Public Affairs Office provide leadership for strategic communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement in support of the Department's mission and the priorities of the Governor's Administration. The Office is responsible for planning, developing, executing, and evaluating comprehensive communications strategies that promote North Carolina's economic competitiveness and effectively communicate the programs, services, and initiatives of the Department of Commerce. This includes coordinating communications across a broad range of internal and external audiences, including Commerce employees, the Governor's Office, the North Carolina General Assembly, state and local agencies, economic development partners, domestic and international businesses, media organizations, and the general public. The Office ensures consistent, accurate, and strategic messaging and plays a critical role in supporting statewide communications outcomes by shaping how Commerce-led initiatives, economic development projects, and workforce programs are understood and communicated across North Carolina. The Office also supports high-profile initiatives that influence public perception of the State's economic competitiveness and reputation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. We will not review resumes in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application (additional statement below under Supplemental and Contact Information).
Applicants who possess the following qualifications may receive management preference:
Must possess and maintain a valid, unexpired U.S. passport and a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
Incentives of NC State Employment:
We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits to include:
Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the benefits link.
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Please make sure you complete the application in full. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include all work experience, the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the graduation date, and certificates/licenses. Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered in screening for qualifying credit. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
Supplemental and Contact Information:
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.
We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process and throughout employment. Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date.
Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
Our Agency uses the OSHR Recruiting and Posting of Vacancies Policy to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. All applicants must complete and submit a state application for employment using the Careers with the State of NC portal.
PLEASE NOTE It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Please make sure you complete the application in full. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include all work experience, the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the graduation date, and certificates/licenses. Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered in screening for qualifying credit. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
Attached resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completing this application and WILL NOT be used for screening for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" within the fillable application sections WILL NOT be accepted and will be considered an incomplete application and will not be processed. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. For additional information about applications and processes with the state of NC, please visit: State Government Application Resources.
For consideration for this vacancy, all applicants must complete an online application. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be evaluated for consideration.
Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
Re-Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303 which seeks to re-employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.
By providing the requested information, you certify that you have given true, accurate and complete information on this attachment to the best of your knowledge. In the event confirmation is needed in connection with your work, you authorize educational institutions, associations, registration and licensing boards, and others to furnish whatever detail is available concerning your qualifications. You authorize investigation of all statements made in this application and understand that false information or documentation, or a failure to disclose relevant information may be grounds for rejection of your application, disciplinary action or dismissal if you are employed, and(or) criminal action. You further understand that dismissal upon employment shall be mandatory if fraudulent disclosures are given to meet position qualifications (Authority: GS 126-30, GS 14- 122.1).
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account and click "Application Status." If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification. The processing of applications will take an average of 5 business days due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application or possible interview.
If applicants earned a foreign degree, foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency and must be submitted to Human Resources for verification. There are several organizations that perform this specialized service, feel free to use any service of your choosing. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options on their website that can provide credential verification.
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media, journalism, English or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and eight years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Denise Roberts
Recruiter Email:
DENISE.ROBERTS@COMMERCE.NC.GOV