The Agency Director/Associate-IN

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Media, Advertising, Public Relations, Communication(s), or related fields.
15 years’ experience in communications agency operations/creative/client services
Five 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.

Responsibilities

Lead the administrative management team responsible for business development, operations and client services.
Mentor, guide and develop the operational and student staff.
Maximize the immersive learning experience, preparing students for careers in a rapidly changing communication marketplace through hands-on, applied, and collaborative learning.
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.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Provide strategic leadership for the UF communications agency model that integrates professional practice, teaching, mentoring, and student development.
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.
Build and maintain relationships with clients, alumni, industry professionals, faculty, and campus partners to expand student opportunities.
Mentor students as emerging professionals through project-based work, portfolio development, client engagement, teamwork, and career preparation.
Collaborate with the College’s academic departments and professional graduate program.
Contribute to departmental teaching, service, and program goals.
Support an inclusive learning environment that prepares students to work across advertising, public relations, strategic communication, and related professional fields.