U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki has been named the new communications director for President Barack Obama after serving as the face of the department for more than two years.

Psaki will take over the White House job on April 1, replacing Jennifer Palmieri, who is leaving reportedly to join Hillary Clinton's campaign.

"Jen worked on both my campaigns. She's served in the White House, and she's traveled the world as an adviser to Secretary Kerry," Obama said in a statement. "I fully trust Jen and I am thrilled she's agreed to come back to the White House as communications director."

Obama praised Palmieri as "brilliant and effective," a "trusted adviser" and a "good friend."

Psaki, who was on Obama's campaign team in the 2008 presidential election, also served as White House deputy press secretary and deputy communications director before becoming the State Department spokeswoman in February 2013.

It is not known who will replace Psaki as State Department spokeswoman. (Yonhap)