Senior Public Relations Specialist

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.
• Cook up 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.
• Aid in planning and executing crisis communications and emergency response communications, including issues related to Extension, weather events, and emerging organizational concerns.
• Cook up 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.
• Aid 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

• Contribute 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.