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The Arizona Department of Gaming is seeking a Communication Manager/PIO. This position is a mid-level management position responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Arizona Department of Gaming's Communications Unit. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Government and Community Affairs, this role develops and implements strategic communications that support the agency's mission, promote transparency, and strengthen public trust. As the Department's designated Public Information Officer, the Communication Manager leads all media relations, crisis communications, and external messaging efforts, while also supporting internal communications and employee engagement. The position requires close collaboration with executive leadership, agency staff, tribal partners, and industry stakeholders to ensure timely, consistent, and audience-focused messaging across all public platforms. The Communication Manager/PIO directly supervises the Marketing Strategist and Communication Intern and plays a key role in advancing the agency's outreach, education, and engagement priorities.
The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Strategic Communications & Executive Support: Manage the daily operations of the Communications Unit to execute agency priorities; ensure alignment across internal and external messaging; support the Assistant Director and Executive Team with message development and long-term communications planning; develop executive communications, including speeches, memos, presentations, and formal messaging.
Public Information, Media Relations & Crisis Management: Serve as the Department's Public Information Officer and primary media liaison; coordinate with the Constituent Services Unit and Legal Unit to ensure timely, accurate responses to public records and public information.
Digital Communications & Brand Management: Oversee the agency's content strategy and brand alignment across all digital platforms, including social media and the website; ensure messaging is consistent, timely, and reflective of the agency's voice and priorities future strategies.
Internal Communications & Employee Engagement: Ensure internal communications support agency goals, priorities, and workplace culture; provide strategic oversight and guidance to the agency in developing internal messaging, staff updates, and agency-wide communications; support executive leadership and the Employee Advisory Council in promoting employee engagement, transparency, and mission alignment through agency events and consistent and timely communication.
Community Affairs, Stakeholder Engagement & Public Education: Support the Executive Team in implementing agency engagement strategies with tribal governments, regulated industries, and community partners; assist with planning and facilitating formal tribal consultations, annual summits, and stakeholder events; identify and support opportunities for public education and consumer outreach in collaboration with program areas.
Agency Reporting, Continuous Improvement, & Supervision: Track and report on communications performance using metrics, analytics, and audience insights to inform continuous improvement; contribute to agency-wide continuous improvement and reporting efforts by compiling data, tracking outcomes, and summarizing results for executive leadership.

Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public relations, media relations, and strategic communications.
Crisis communication planning, execution, and response protocols in a government or regulatory setting.
Public sector communication standards, including plain language, accessibility (ADA), and language access requirements.
Digital communications, including website management, social media platforms, analytics tools, and content management systems.
Arizona public records laws and public information request procedures.
Principles of public administration, organizational leadership, and team supervision.
Skills in:
Strategic planning and execution across multiple communication functions.
Media relations, including message development, public engagement, and crisis communication.
Writing and editing clear, accurate, and compelling content for diverse audiences.
Drafting high-quality reports, briefings, and executive communications.
Public speaking and presenting complex information to varied audiences.
Ability to:
Represent the agency professionally in high-stakes and public-facing settings, including before Tribal Nations, the media, and external stakeholders.
Serve as a credible spokesperson on behalf of the agency at events, interviews, and consultations.
Lead cross-functional communications projects with minimal supervision while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
Manage multiple projects, timelines, and urgent issues with accuracy and attention to detail.

Master's degree in communications, public administration, political science, journalism, or related discipline is preferred; Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or other relevant professional certification; Experience working with or for Tribal Nations, including knowledge of Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compacts; Experience in a regulatory agency or gaming-related environment.

Requires Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field.
At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, media relations, or communications.
Two (2) years of supervisory or lead-level experience.
Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.) If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

The Arizona Department of Gaming offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave - Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance.
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at humanresources@azgaming.gov for assistance.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format, by contacting Linn Carrasco (623) 955-9061 emailing lcarrasco@azgaming.gov Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.