Communications Manager
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Classification Title:
Communications Manager
Job Description:
-Media Relations Management
Manages UF Health’s 24/7 response to media inquiries and assists with proactive news pitching to local, regional, and national media, focusing on the Gainesville campus and coordinating the system-level response across other regional campuses. Oversees coordination of efforts and adherence to policy and facilitates media visits to the academic health center campus. Responsible for contributing to proactive news pitching and press conference strategy development. Leads the conceptualization and development of media materials for internal and external audiences. Secures media coverage as appropriate. Identifies media opportunities and story pitches to build UF Health’s reputation and enhance awareness of advances in patient care, research, and education through local, state, and national media outlets. Works closely with UF Health creative services staff to coordinate photography, videography, and graphic design to complete projects. Oversees Meltwater media monitoring to evaluate media coverage and engagement, and assists with determining strategies for adjusting media tactics. Also manages Meltwater reporting function to create daily media updates and quarterly reports. Coordinates response and messaging across units for issues broadly impacting our health campuses. Manages the media on-call team to ensure 24/7 response to media inquiries. Supports external and internal communications efforts as needed.
-Issues Management
Plays a lead role in managing select issues and coordinating the organization’s emergency preparedness response efforts. Serves as an advisor to college, campus, hospital and/or unit leadership when public relations issues arise and is instrumental in developing key messages and media statements. Occasionally serves as a PIO spokesperson for the organization.
-Social Media
Responsible for working with teammates to develop strategies to successfully pitch content and experts to journalists via social media as well as increasing UF Health’s social media presence and web traffic.
-Public Relations
Work with UF Health Communications team members to align activities that elevate and advance brand awareness and reputation of UF Health. Participates in communications planning for UF Health. Ensures a coordinated approach to news, public relations, strategic communications and marketing efforts, working closely with UF Health Communications leadership, UF Strategic Communications and Marketing, and individual units with similar goals, as well as with UF Advancement, to ensure effectiveness, avoid duplication of effort and ensure adherence to uniform standards and policy. Coordinates awareness activities and events for internal and external audiences. Tracks communicates and evaluates progress of projects and metrics throughout process. Provides regular reports.
-Other
Meets regularly with UF Health Communications leadership and attends strategic planning meetings. Attends weekly Media Forecast meetings.
Expected Salary:
$70,000-$80,000
Minimum Requirements:Master's degree in an appropriate area; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
a. A master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization, with five years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and seven years of appropriate experience.
b. Experience with media relations, crisis communications, issues management, public relations campaigns, and press conference coordination required.
c. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
d. Experience in working as a public information officer preferred.
e. Experience in working with medical and scientific topics preferred. Academic, higher ed, and/or health care experience preferred.
f. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferred.
g. Superior spelling, punctuation, and grammatical skills. Proficient in Associated Press style.
h. The ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments independently.
i. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with diverse individuals toward organizational objectives.
j. Supervisory experience preferred.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
This position has been reposted. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply.
Please upload the following – CV or Resume, Cover Letter, and List of Professional References.
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.
The application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Health Assessment Required:No