Description

The Agency Director/Associate-IN Job No: 541565 Work Type: Full Time Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL) Categories: Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Executive/Director/Management Department: 23140100 - CJC-THE AGENCY-ADMIN Job Description Classification Title: ASO IN Classification Minimum Requirements: •Bachelor's degree in Media, Advertising, Public Relations, Communication(s), or related fields •10 years' experience in communications agency operations/creative/client services •Three years in a management leadership position •Working knowledge of core communications disciplines, including media relations, content creation, social media, campaign strategy, and evaluation. •Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, teach, or supervise early-career professionals, interns, or students. Job Description: The Opportunity The Agency, a client-serving firm based in the College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) at the University of Florida staffed by students and led by professionals, is looking for its next director. We are seeking an energetic, visionary leader who can utilize their substantial professional experience in advertising, public relations, or an integrated mix of both fields, to guide the Agency through its next phase of growth. The director will lead the administrative management team responsible for business development, operations and client services, and mentor, guide and develop the operational and student staff. They will maximize the immersive learning experience, preparing students for careers in a rapidly changing communication marketplace through hands-on, applied, and collaborative learning. The position is classified as an Associate-In faculty position within the Agency (12-month, non-tenure track) to begin in the Spring 2027 term. The director will teach 2-3 agency related courses per term, mentor and advise undergraduate students as assigned, participate in scholarly and professional organizations, participate in shared governance, and perform other duties as assigned. This is an in-person position based in Gainesville, Fla. We are particularly interested in candidates who are excellent professionals/teachers/mentors that are on their way to establishing a national/international reputation. The selected candidate will provide strategic leadership for the UF communications agency model that integrates professional practice, teaching, mentoring, and student development. In addition, the candidate will contribute to the undergraduate program by supporting curriculum development, course delivery, advising, and student success initiatives, balance the academic, operational, and professional dimensions of the agency, including curriculum alignment, financial sustainability, and experiential learning opportunities. The candidate will build and maintain relationships with clients, alumni, industry professionals, faculty, and campus partners to expand student opportunities. Mentoring students as emerging professionals through project-based work, portfolio development, client engagement, teamwork, and career preparation is a key component of this role. The candidate will collaborate with the College's academic departments and professional graduate program, and contribute to departmental teaching, service, and program goals, along with supporting an inclusive learning environment that prepares students to work across advertising, public relations, strategic communication, and related professional fields. About UF's College of Journalism and Communications Accredited by ACEJMC, the college has earned its reputation for excellence over the last half century on the strength of its programs, faculty, students and alumni; the stories they tell; and the difference they make around the world. Our 80 full-time faculty members and 175 part-time instructors serve in four academic departments: Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations and Media Production, Management and Technology. We enroll about 2,500 undergraduates both in-person and online. More than 800 students are earning master's and doctoral degrees. The Agency was dedicated in 2015 as a unit within the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Its purpose is to provide immersive learning experience for our students to gain experience working for real-world clients and develop the professional skills needed to navigate an agency's work environment. The founding vision of the Agency prioritized bridging the industry and the classroom, and it continues to tear down walls between the two. Today, The Agency is a Gen Z-focused strategic communications firm, where approximately 120 students work alongside professionals to create real-world campaigns. Students can work as strategists, creatives, developers, researchers, producers, and media coordinators. The College of Journalism and Communications is committed to building a culture of belonging and engagement, preeminent scholarship, cross-disciplinary education, superior skills development, and collaboration spanning the science and practice of communication to produce significant societal impact on a local, state, and global scale. CJC is also home to several cross-disciplinary initiatives such as the Innovation News Center, The Agency, Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology, the STEM Translational Communication Center, the Center for Public Interest Communication, the Atlas Social Media Listening Lab, the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, and the Media Effects and Technology Lab, among others. About the University of Florida UF is the state's sole member of the Association of American Universities. It is in the midst of a multi-year pre-eminence initiative that has created more than 500 new faculty positions and generated a $70 million partnership with NVIDIA to create the nation's top research lab in artificial intelligence. The University of Florida spent a record $1.34 billion on research in fiscal year 2026. The University of Florida offers a competitive salary commensurate with similar positions and includes a full benefits package. To view the university's Total Reward benefit package, please click here: The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent by fostering environments where team members feel included, valued, and empowered to do their best work. About Gainesville, Florida As home to Florida's largest and oldest university, Gainesville ( is one of the state's centers of education, medicine, cultural events and athletics. Gainesville and the surrounding area is home to about 250,000 people, a robust arts community, several museums, a world-class health care system anchored at UF, a downtown core known for its restaurants and brew pubs, excellent public and private schools, and abundant nature exemplified by clear, natural springs. Additionally, within 2 hours are attractions such as Disney World, University Studios, Busch Gardens, and historic St. Augustine. Expected Salary: Commensurate with Education and Experience Required Qualifications: •Bachelor's degree in Media, Advertising, Public Relations, Communication(s), or related fields •10 years' experience in communications agency operations/creative/client services •Three years in a management leadership position •Working knowledge of core communications disciplines, including media relations, content creation, social media, campaign strategy, and evaluation. •Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, teach, or supervise early-career professionals, interns, or students. Preferred: - Master's degree in Media, Advertising, Public Relations, Communication(s), or related fields. - 15 years' experience in communications agency operations/creative/client servicesFive years in a management leadership position - Prior experience training and mentoring, client management, business development and retention, or creative work - Demonstrated experience managing client relationships, campaigns, or projects from proposal through execution and evaluation. - Experience managing budgets, billing processes, and/or financial records. - Experience with higher education settings, including academic calendars, teaching, guest lecturing, curriculum development, student organizations, and university procurement/finance processes. - Professional industry certification or organization affiliation such as American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As), Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), American Advertising Federation, American Marketing Association, Public Relations Society of America, Communications Network, etc. - Experience with new business development, including client prospecting, pitching, proposal writing, and contract negotiation. - Commitment to institution-building and collaborative initiatives at the college and university level. Special Instructions to Applicants: Please submit your applications online via Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes: - A cover letter detailing previous professional, leadership and/or teaching experience. - A current CV or résumé. - Teaching portfolio, if applicable (including teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, student evaluations, etc.). - Contact details, names, phone numbers, and email addresses, for three references. - Any other supporting documentation that you deem relevant to the position. Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date. Note: The Search Committee may request additional materials at a later time. For additional questions or more information, please contact search committee chair Katrice Graham at kgraham@jou.ufl.edu Review of applications begins October 16 continues until the position is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply by Oct. 16 to receive priority consideration. 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 application packet will be submitted as one PDF file through the UF Jobs website at All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening, which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education. The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Laws require that all documents relating to the search process, including letters of application, nomination and reference, be available for public inspection. Health Assessment Required: No Applications Close: 30 October 2026 To apply, visit Our Commitment: The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. 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) or visit Accessibility at UF. je-12e5fc3b8eab456190fc7c1be46ae57a