The University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is recruiting a Director of Communications. This position oversees an innovative, multichannel, comprehensive communications program designed to enhance reputation and increase visibility across all missions of the college while engaging and inspiring key audiences, informing them of advances in research, teaching, and patient care. The incumbent drives the development of strategic communications plans and message alignment, providing sound counsel as part of a forward-thinking, creative, dynamic program in support of the mission and vision of the college and its leadership. This role deploys leading-edge communications strategies and tools and facilitates the exchange of information between the college and various internal and external constituents, including faculty, staff, students, clients, and prospective clients of the UF Veterinary Hospitals, members of the pet-owning public, media, alumni, donors, community/government officials, and national veterinary medical advocacy groups. Conceptualizes, develops, and edits content for a variety of channels, including the college’s internal communications program, its online web and social media presence, various philanthropic and alumni affairs initiatives, and major college events, to engage critical stakeholder audiences as a member of the UF Health Communications team. Gathers data and research to inform strategies, establishes defined goals, and develops metrics to track success, adjusting processes or approach as needed. Serves as the media relations liaison for the college and its veterinary hospitals. Serves as editor of the college’s magazine and e-newsletter. Oversees content development, editing, and production of the college’s Animal Airwaves program, which airs on public radio affiliates nationally. Routinely reports on results to key leaders and ensures the College of Veterinary Medicine Dean, the UF Health Associate Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs, and other senior leaders are regularly informed of potential issues and communications-related activities. Operates collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment.

Specific activities for which the Director of Communications will have primary or shared responsibilities include:

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, REPUTATION MANAGEMENT, & MARKETING
Leads the development and implementation of cost-effective, research-based, measurable strategic communications and marketing plans to enhance the College of Veterinary Medicine’s reputation on a national level across its missions of research, education, and patient care and to grow volume for the college’s clinical programs and services among various stakeholders, including the public, peer institutions, funding agencies, alumni, donors, prospects, clients of the UF Veterinary Hospitals, and the UF community. Leverages compelling and unique communications tools to shape powerful storytelling and develops other effective and impactful campaigns and materials, serving as project manager, writer, and editor for a wide variety of print, digital, multimedia, and online content and publications, including the college’s biannual magazine, internal e-newsletter, fact sheets, podcasts, videos, brochures, annual reports, PowerPoint presentations, speeches, and web and social media content. Oversees, manages, and coordinates communications needs and campaigns in the areas of advancement and alumni affairs in support of the College of Veterinary Medicine and UF Health’s fundraising objectives. Executes compelling and unique content, including stories, brochures, and other collateral materials that help drive philanthropic giving. Coordinates all production in a cost-effective manner. Ensures consistency of messaging and alignment with brand standards. Takes a coordinated, collaborative approach to communications, working closely with the College of Veterinary Medicine and UF Health Communications leadership, faculty members, staff members, and other UF communicators to gather detailed information and statistics for materials, avoid duplication of effort, and ensure effectiveness and adherence to UF and UF Health communications standards, guidelines, and policies. Sets and manages the college’s annual communications budget to support goals without exceeding approved thresholds.

MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING
Helps shape the UF College of Veterinary Medicine story using multimedia approaches in creative and compelling ways to achieve defined communications objectives. Writes, edits, produces, and distributes content that informs internal and external audiences of the collective accomplishments of the college. Is skilled in editorial composition, news and feature writing, promotional copywriting, and speech and script writing. Demonstrates excellence in storytelling across a variety of platforms. Oversees content development, editing, and production of the college’s Animal Airwaves program, which airs on public radio affiliates nationally. Coordinates the writing of scripts for one-minute modules, facilitates editing and production processes, and promotes the program to key stakeholders. Complies with editing/review processes and branding policies of UF Health and the university. Adheres to deadlines and budget parameters. Works closely with UF Health Communications Creative Services to direct and coordinate photography, videography, infographics, graphic design, and animation, and manages outsourcing to advertising agencies, printers, and freelancers to concept and produce podcasts, videos, and other collateral materials and campaigns. The incumbent is proficient in basic photography and is expected to attend and photograph key college events and activities to provide content for stories, the web, social media, and donor/ alumni relations purposes as needed.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Guides social media strategy across various social media platforms to enhance the reputation and visibility of the college and its missions. Sets editorial calendars for the college’s official social media accounts and updates calendars on a regular basis, proactively identifying content ideas to pursue and story opportunities to promote. Develops and posts content in accordance with best practices. Ensures social media channels and practices used adhere to established UF and UF Health policies and standards. Monitors key metrics to gauge effectiveness of social media efforts, routinely reviewing analytics and sharing reports, and uses data to identify and recommend opportunities for enhanced engagement.

NEWS DISSEMINATION
Generates and oversees distribution of news releases focusing on key scientific and clinical developments at the college and the UF Veterinary Hospitals to ensure visibility and sustained coverage in local, state, national, and trade media. Participates in weekly UF Health media forecast meetings and follows required processes for moving and tracking story content through editorial approval channels. Works closely with UF Health and UF news teams to identify opportunities for proactively pitching stories to local, state, national, and trade media.

MEDIA RELATIONS/ISSUES MANAGEMENT

Manages all media relations efforts involving administration, faculty, staff, and students at the college. Identifies sources, facilitates interviews with media outlets, serves as media escort, coordinates photography and/or video needs, and facilitates and secures appropriate permissions to ensure compliance with college and hospital patient confidentiality policies. Routinely tracks media assists and activities. Identifies potential issues and shares with appropriate leadership. Plays a key role in managing issues and/or crisis situations impacting the college, working closely with the Dean and leadership in the college, UF Health Communications, and UF Strategic Communications and Marketing.

WEBSITE MANAGEMENT

Creates a robust, compelling, and distinctive web presence for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Manages content strategy for the college’s website to ensure a comprehensive, strategic approach to web communications, including enhancing current content, creating compelling new content, and coordinating content updates/maintenance using the WordPress platform and in partnership with the Dean and the UF Health Communications Web Services team. Works with department and unit web editors to ensure training occurs, best practices are followed, and updates are regularly maintained. Ensures continuity of web efforts and adheres to established UF and UF Health policies, brand design standards, and accessibility requirements. Ensures approaches reflect best practices and address SEO. Uses Google Analytics to understand audience behavior on the web and identifies opportunities to support strategic initiatives and to enhance reputation and visibility of the college.

EVENT PLANNING/COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Serves on committees and travels as needed to plan and promote certain internal and external college events, such as the annual college Open House, alumni gatherings, anniversary celebrations, fundraising campaigns, and commencement programs. Leads preparation of communications content and materials, including adherence to review/approval processes, and promotes events to key stakeholder audiences through a variety of channels. Driving is required.

MEASUREMENT & EVALUATION

Gathers data and conducts research to inform strategies; establishes defined goals and develops metrics to track success; and adjusts processes or approach as needed. Routinely reports on results to key leaders. Ensures Dean, UF Health AVP for Communications & Public Affairs, and other senior leaders are regularly informed of communications-related activities.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is part of University of Florida Health, the university’s academic health center, which houses six health-related colleges (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health & Health Professions, and Veterinary Medicine). It is the only academic health center in the Southeast and one of only three nationally, where all six health colleges are located on the same campus. The college has equally strong ties to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. These alliances create opportunities for vibrant research collaborations, academic depth in Artificial Intelligence, and a robust human clinical enterprise, which has aided the UF Veterinary Hospital system in becoming a leader in veterinary medical care. The campus is in Gainesville, a vibrant and growing community with numerous cultural amenities and outstanding natural beauty (see http://www.visitgainesville.com/arts-culture-history/). 

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have Master’s degree in an appropriate area and six years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and eight years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and oral presentation skills, with the ability to conceptualize, develop, and produce content for a variety of communications channels;

A commitment to creativity, accuracy, attention to detail, and a customer service-oriented attitude;

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and collegially with a team in an energetic, fast-paced environment;

Effective time management and organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities;

High level of diplomacy and tact and ability to maintain composure;

Superior spelling, punctuation, and grammar skills;

Experience with fundraising communications at a large university or in the health sciences;

The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse constituencies;

Ability to meet deadlines and work independently; is self-motivated;

Competency in problem-solving;

Working knowledge in: Associated Press style, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Expected Salary:

The salary will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply online through Careers at UF to be considered. Applications for job number 533148 must submit: (1) a cover letter (2) a resume; (3) the names and contact information of three professional references; and (4) writing samples online at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/534126/dir-communications. Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

The successful candidate will be required to provide official transcript(s) upon hire. A transcript will not be considered "official" if a designation of "Issued to Student" is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal-opportunity institution. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have Master’s degree in an appropriate area and six years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and eight years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and oral presentation skills, with the ability to conceptualize, develop, and produce content for a variety of communications channels;

A commitment to creativity, accuracy, attention to detail, and a customer service-oriented attitude;

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and collegially with a team in an energetic, fast-paced environment;

Effective time management and organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities;

High level of diplomacy and tact and ability to maintain composure;

Superior spelling, punctuation, and grammar skills;

Experience with fundraising communications at a large university or in the health sciences;

The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse constituencies;

Ability to meet deadlines and work independently; is self-motivated;

Competency in problem-solving;

Working knowledge in: Associated Press style, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint