UF/IFAS

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Communications team is seeking an experienced and strategic communications professional to serve as a Senior Public Relations Specialist. This position plays a critical leadership role in advancing awareness of UF/IFAS research, Extension, and academic programs through media relations, science communication, integrated communications planning, editorial leadership, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement.
As a senior member of the communications team, this position develops and executes strategic communications initiatives, leads cross-functional communications efforts, provides guidance on sensitive and high-profile issues, and serves as a key liaison with university-wide communications partners. The successful candidate will identify and develop compelling stories, cultivate relationships with journalists and key stakeholders, provide communications counsel on complex and high-profile issues, and lead cross-functional communications initiatives that advance organizational priorities. This role also serves as a senior editorial resource, helping ensure quality, consistency, and alignment across communications efforts while representing UF/IFAS in university-wide communications initiatives and integrated communications teams.
Media Relations, Science Writing & Story DevelopmentIdentify, research, develop, and distribute news releases, feature stories, media pitches, blog content, and other communications materials that highlight UF/IFAS research, Extension, teaching, and outreach initiatives.Identify emerging story opportunities across UF/IFAS and collaborate with faculty, staff, and communicators to develop compelling content.Translate scientific and technical information into clear, engaging, and accessible content for public audiences.Develop content for traditional media, digital platforms, stakeholder communications, and organizational communications channels.Coordinate with photography, video, graphic design, and digital content teams to maximize storytelling impact.Build and maintain relationships with local, state, national, and industry media outlets.Serve as a resource to journalists by connecting media representatives with appropriate UF/IFAS subject matter experts.Monitor media trends and identify opportunities to expand visibility for UF/IFAS expertise.
Strategic Communications Leadership, Crisis Communications & Integrated CommunicationsProvide strategic leadership for communications initiatives that advance organizational priorities, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and enhance awareness of UF/IFAS programs and expertise.Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic communications and public relations campaigns.Provide operational leadership for cross-functional communications teams supporting major initiatives, projects, issues management efforts, and organizational priorities.Serve as a communications strategist and advisor on high-profile, sensitive, or complex communications matters.Assist in planning and executing crisis communications and emergency response communications, including issues related to Extension, weather events, and emerging organizational concerns.Coordinate communications efforts across multiple channels to ensure message consistency and alignment with institutional priorities.Measure communication outcomes and recommend strategies to improve effectiveness and audience engagement.Serve as the UF/IFAS representative to integrated communications initiatives involving UF Strategic Communications and Marketing, UF Health Communications, and other university communications partners.
Editorial Leadership & Communications ConsultationServe as a senior communications resource for editorial review, messaging strategy, and communications best practices across the UF/IFAS communications network.Provide final review and editing for complex, sensitive, controversial, or high-visibility communications materials.Offer editorial guidance and feedback to communicators throughout the UF/IFAS system.Ensure consistency, quality, accuracy, and alignment with organizational messaging and communications standards.Consult with faculty, Extension professionals, communicators, and administrators regarding media relations strategies, storytelling opportunities, and communications planning.Assist in establishing and promoting editorial standards and best practices across UF/IFAS.
Stakeholder Engagement, Program Communications & Organizational RepresentationDevelop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support communications objectives and enhance organizational visibility.Serve as communications liaison for assigned initiatives, departments, programs, and stakeholder groups.Promote organizational achievements, research discoveries, educational opportunities, and community impacts through integrated communications efforts.Support stakeholder communications and public engagement initiatives that advance the UF/IFAS mission.Facilitate media coverage of events, programs, and major announcements.Build partnerships with faculty, researchers, administrators, Extension personnel, industry representatives, and external organizations to identify communications opportunities.Represent UF/IFAS Communications in university-wide communications initiatives, planning groups, and professional networks.
Training, Reporting & Professional DevelopmentContribute to organizational effectiveness through reporting, training, mentorship, and continuous improvement.Track communications activities, projects, outcomes, and media placements using department systems and reporting tools.Assist with internal and external reporting related to communications performance and organizational visibility.Conduct media relations and communications training for faculty and staff.Provide guidance on storytelling, media engagement, interview preparation, and crisis communication best practices.Share industry trends, emerging technologies, and communications best practices with colleagues and stakeholders.Participate in ongoing professional development activities to remain current in communications, journalism, media relations, strategic communications, and science communication.