Director of Communications and Social Media

Where the Story Gets Told, From First Draft to Front Page – $125,000/year

Location: Flowood, MS | Full-Time | In-Person

Every press release, broadcast, and post from the Mississippi Lottery is a chance to show people who we are. As the Director of Communications and Social Media for The Mississippi Lottery Corporation, you’ll shape how Mississippi hears from us, lead our communications team, and serve as the face of the Lottery for the media and our players. (Note: Employees of the Mississippi Lottery Corporation are not considered state employees.)

This role would be a great fit for someone who can make “have fun, y’all” come through in everything we publish and leads a team with a steady hand.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead public relations and media relations, including press releases and events.
• Serve as the Lottery’s front-line contact for media outlets across Mississippi and build strong relationships with reporters and editors.
• Serve as the on-camera and on-the-record voice of the Lottery, taking point on media interviews and appearing on Facebook Live, while overseeing the broadcast process with the Social Media & Communications Specialist.
• Oversee the production of high-quality, multi-channel content, ensuring messaging is consistent, strategic, and accessible across web, email, social media, video, newsletters, and print publications.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the Social Media & Communications Specialist, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback.
• Champion the Lottery’s Play Responsibly campaign and our work with the World Lottery Association to promote responsible gaming.
• Work with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications to develop marketing and communications campaigns, including new product rollouts.
• Prepare briefing materials for executive staff and the Board of Directors.
• Serve as the Lottery’s liaison to elected officials, beneficiary agencies, and other state partners, and monitor legislative issues involving lotteries.
• Oversee the communications budget, the annual report, and our internal and external newsletters.
• Respond to questions, complaints, and requests for information from players, vendors, and the public.

You’re a Great Fit If You:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications, public relations, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bring at least eight years of progressive communications experience, including writing and managing press releases and other media materials (samples will be requested).
• Have three or more years of experience leading and developing a team.
• Have a proven record handling media and corporate relations, including issue and crisis communications.
• Write with confidence in AP style and can edit sharply under a deadline.
• Are comfortable on camera and in front of a live audience, and can represent the Lottery with confidence in interviews and broadcasts.
• Know your way around major social media platforms and tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, CapCut, Woobox, and iContact.
• Are proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Hold a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and can travel as needed, including overnight stays.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Competitive pay: $125,000/year.
• Monday-Friday schedule, with occasional evening and weekend events.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and long-term disability insurance, retirement with company match, FSA and dependent care options, paid holidays, and generous PTO, among others.

Physical & Work Environment:

• Primarily an office-based role, with occasional field events that involve travel in a company-provided vehicle and exposure to varying weather.
• Frequent standing, walking, sitting, and use of hands and arms.
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.

Why Join Us?

At the Mississippi Lottery Corporation, you’ll work in a professional yet dynamic environment where your role directly supports our mission and customer experience. We are a Drug Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities. Please note: Employees of the Mississippi Lottery Corporation are not considered state employees.

Benefits:

• Personal Time Off (PTO)
• Floating Holidays
• Employee Medical& Dental Insurance
• Retirement Plan(401(a) & 457)
• Business Casual Dress
• Continuing Education
• Professional Environment
• Competitive pay
& much more!