Senior Public Relations Specialist

Classification Minimum Requirements: Master's degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

• Media Relations, Science Writing & Story Development
  • Identify, 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 Communications
  • Provide 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 Consultation
  • Serve 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 Representation
  • Develop 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 Development
  • 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.

Requirements

• Master's degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.
• Valid Florida Driver License required within 60 days of hire.
• Occasional travel throughout Florida for story development, events, meetings, and media opportunities.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field.
• Professional experience in media relations, journalism, science communication, public affairs, strategic communications, or higher education communications.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Experience translating scientific, technical, or research-based information into public-facing communications.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic communications initiatives, integrated communications efforts, or public relations campaigns.
• Experience with crisis communications, issues management, stakeholder communications, or executive communications.
• Strong understanding of local, state, national, and industry media environments.
• Knowledge of Associated Press (AP) Style.
• Experience building relationships with journalists and securing earned media coverage.
• Strong organizational, project management, consultation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working in higher education, research, agriculture, natural resources, government, or nonprofit organizations.

Pay

$61,000-65,000; commensurate with education and experience.