Communications Program Manager Jobs in Columbia, SC

Salary: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: Temporary Grant - Full-Time
Job Number: 191447
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Division: Chief of Staff
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AH45
Position Number:: 61096785
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN11
Hiring Range - Min.: $80,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $90,000.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application not being referred.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
*This is a Temporary Grant Position.*The Agency's mission is to be boldly innovative in improving the health and quality of life for South Carolinians.
This position is located under the Deputy Director of Programs, Richland County.
This is an in-office role and not a telecommute or remote position.
Are you the One? We are looking for a Program Manager I (Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Director), who will direct the overall operations of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of program activities, coordinating with other agencies and appropriate stakeholders, and ensuring necessary reports/documentation are submitted to CMS to comply with requirements. Candidate must demonstrate proven ability to manage shifting priorities in a dynamic environment. The RHT program is a federal initiative led by CMS and focuses on promoting innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment to help state governments strengthen healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities. This position reports directly to the Deputy Director of Health Programs.

• Creates and leads comprehensive RHT program roadmap and operational plan that identifies objectives, milestones, deliverables, timelines, resources needed, risks, stakeholders, and all program outcomes to be measured. Develops program reporting (including key performance indicators) and monitoring processes to drive progress towards the RHT program's strategic goals and SCDHHS' quality initiatives. Manages yearly grant cycle and establishes review processes to evaluate program outcomes against objectives and identify lessons learned. Creates an escalation process and ensures sufficient communication with Agency leadership and other internal and external stakeholders. Coordinates and submits CMS required reporting and documentation. Ensures RHT Program is in compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Oversees the implementation and management of SCDHHS' five quality initiatives: Connections to Care, Leveling Up, Wellness Within Reach, Shoring up to Sustainability, and the Tech Catalyst Fund. This work includes coordinating the planning, implementation, and evaluation of RHT-funded initiatives and pilot projects, creating and maintaining project management deliverables (timelines, status reports, escalations, risks/issues reporting and solutioning, etc.), assisting with data collection and analysis/reporting, administrative and budget reporting, and serving as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for assigned initiative related stakeholders (subrecipients). Conducts site visits to subrecipients twice per month.
• Oversees the accurate collection, analysis, visualization, and submission of RHT program data to drive performance measurement tracking and inform decision-making and ensure compliance. This includes developing and maintaining a centralized database to track project activities, KPIs and associated outcomes, analyzing and visualizing data to assess program status, and developing dashboards, scorecards, and infographics for various internal and external stakeholders to provide updates and communicate findings.
• Develops and maintains stakeholder engagement strategy and corresponding plan. Interacts and works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to executive leadership, other agency team members, community organizations, other state agencies, health care associations, providers, members of the public, and legislators to support SCDHHS' quality initiatives. Attends relevant meetings and leads stakeholder forums and public meetings as required. Serves as primary liaison to CMS regarding the RHT program.
• Performs fundamental supervisory and leadership functions in accordance with Department policies and procedures, best practices and Federal and State rules and regulations, especially with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) standards. Maintains an effective organizational team and motivates diverse staff to accomplish mission critical operations and objectives. Promotes workforce engagement and a safe, professional, and productive work environment for all employees.
• Oversees the financial management and accountability of the RHT program, including budget creation, tracking, and forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and fiscal reporting. This work includes developing methods for recording, monitoring, and analyzing financial and fiscal data related to the RHT program and in accordance with CMS requirements and guidelines; maintaining comprehensive tracking sheets; reviewing and monitoring expenditures; and analyzing, preparing, and distributing various reports to internal and external stakeholders as required.
• Oversees the effective administration of all contracts associated with the RHT program. This work includes managing timelines for the yearly grant cycle, monitoring subrecipient compliance with contractual requirements, adhering to established Agency procurement policies and procedures, overseeing day-to-day administrative, programmatic, and financial operations of assigned contracts (as applicable), enforcing performance of assigned contract terms and conditions, evaluating subrecipient performance as defined in the contract, maintain appropriate and up to date contract files, and serving as liaison with assigned contract subrecipients.
• Leads or supports other projects proactively or as assigned by Agency leadership. Continuously engages in process improvement to support Agency and Division-wide strategies, objectives, and initiatives.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE and TGE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
A bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience managing federal and/or state programs, projects, or grants, ranging in complexity and directly responsible for related outcomes; OR
A master's degree and three (3) years of experience managing federal and/or state programs, projects, or grants, ranging in complexity and directly responsible for related outcomes.
At least three (3) years of direct supervisory or team lead experience.
An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered with prior State Human Resources approval.
Additional Requirements:

• Requires holder to drive routinely.
• Occasional overnight travel.
• Overtime and/or weekend work with Deputy approval.
• Sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Lifting requirements: 20 lbs.
• Valid driver's license
• In-office role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of SCDHHS agency's missions, programs, and objectives.
• Knowledge of laws and CMS regulations and policies and ability to interpret and apply federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of healthcare needs and evidenced-based practices within primary care or rural health, healthcare grants and contracts administration.
• Ability to exercise judgement and discretion.
• Excellent facilitation skills and confidence presenting in front of diverse internal and external stakeholders and audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to collaborate with staff from all levels of the workforce.
• Ability to assign appropriate priorities to work activities based on organization goals and resourcing.
• Strong leadership skills including building teams, learning from stakeholders, and implementing continuous quality improvement.

Additional Comments
Please complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application for qualification purposes. All applicants must apply online. All correspondence from the Office of Human Resources will be through electronic mail.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
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The responses you provide to these Supplemental Questions will be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Please, thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of your application and the Supplemental Questions. Failure to provide detailed and complete information will result in your application being rejected. Any misrepresentation or omissions will result in your disqualification from employment and/or termination. You may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree with the above.

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I understand that this is a temporary-grant position.

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The established hiring range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000. Do you accept this range?

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• No

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Do you have a bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience managing federal and/or state programs, projects, or grants, ranging in complexity and directly responsible for related outcomes?

• Yes
• No

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Do you have at least three (3) years of direct supervisory or team lead experience?

• Yes
• No

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Do you have a valid driver's license? If yes, please provide your driver's license number and state of issuance.
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Do you wish to claim Veteran Preference? If yes, you must submit a copy of your DD214 Form with your job application in order to qualify and claim this preference.

• Yes
• No

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How did you hear about this career opportunity?
Required Question