Chief Communications Officer

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

What you'll do at DBH:

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Communications Officer to lead the Office of Communications & Marketing. This executive-level role is responsible for developing and executing strategic communication and marketing initiatives that support the agency's mission, enhance public engagement, and align with departmental goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develops and implements comprehensive communication and marketing strategies, policies, and procedures
• Designs and leads agency-wide communication programs and public campaigns
• Establishes project timelines and oversees execution and evaluation of communication initiatives
• Conducts and supervises surveys and evaluations to inform strategy and measure impact

Cross-Agency Collaboration

• Partners with internal divisions and external agencies to ensure alignment with departmental goals
• Analyzes existing and proposed programs to recommend effective communication strategies
• Supports Human Resources in recruitment and retention communications
• Assists in legislative marketing and communication efforts

Executive Representation

• Represents the agency in public forums, media engagements, and inter-agency collaborations
• May be designated to act as Director in the absence of the Director or Assistant Directors

Team Management & Content Oversight

• Supervises communications staff and directs all agency branding and marketing efforts
• Reviews, edits, and brands official documents including policy briefs, legislative summaries, and impact statements
• Delivers presentations and speeches aligned with agency goals and initiatives
• Responds to public and media inquiries regarding agency programs
• Prepares press releases and oversees publication of agency materials
• Oversees agency website content, branding, and messaging

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

Salary will be commensurate with education/experience.

This position is unclassified pursuant to Ohio Revised Code A) (9).

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Position Preferred Qualifications

Completion of undergraduate core program in the field of journalism or communication; 60 mos. exp. in public multi-media techniques & relations in field of journalism or communication; 60 mos. exp. in management and senior level leadership.

Primary Job Skill: Communications & Marketing

Technical Skills: Public Relations

Professional Skills: Collaboration, Confidentiality, Attention to detail

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

Supplemental Information

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website ). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, "see resume" is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website ). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule , "Background check on applicants," outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at or

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.