The Agency Director/Associate-IN

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

42d•Onsite

About The Position

The Agency, a client-serving strategic communications firm within the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, seeks a director to guide its next phase of growth. The student-staffed agency is led by professionals and provides students with immersive, hands-on experience serving real-world clients. The director will lead the administrative management team responsible for business development, operations, and client services, while mentoring and developing operational and student staff. This is a 12-month, non-tenure-track Associate-In faculty position, based in person in Gainesville, Florida, and scheduled to begin in the Spring 2027 term. The director will teach two to three agency-related courses per term, mentor and advise undergraduate students as assigned, participate in scholarly and professional organizations and shared governance, and perform other assigned duties. The selected candidate will provide strategic leadership for a communications agency model integrating professional practice, teaching, mentoring, and student development. The role contributes to undergraduate curriculum development, course delivery, advising, and student success initiatives, while balancing academic, operational, and professional priorities such as curriculum alignment, financial sustainability, and experiential learning. The director will build relationships with clients, alumni, industry professionals, faculty, and campus partners to expand student opportunities. The position also involves mentoring students through project-based work, portfolio development, client engagement, teamwork, and career preparation; collaborating with academic departments and the professional graduate program; contributing to teaching, service, and program goals; and supporting an inclusive learning environment across advertising, public relations, strategic communication, and related fields. The Agency is a Gen Z-focused strategic communications firm in which approximately 120 students work alongside professionals on real-world campaigns. The University of Florida offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience and a full benefits package. The position requires an in-person work arrangement in Gainesville.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Media, Advertising, Public Relations, Communication(s), or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in communications agency operations, creative work, or client services.
At least 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 a related field.
15 years of experience in communications agency operations, creative work, or client services.
Five years in a management leadership position.
Prior experience in 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 in higher education settings, including academic calendars, teaching, guest lecturing, curriculum development, student organizations, and university procurement or finance processes.
Professional industry certification or affiliation with an organization such as 4As, APR, American Advertising Federation, American Marketing Association, Public Relations Society of America, or Communications Network.
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.
Excellence as a professional, teacher, and mentor, with progress toward establishing a national or international reputation.

Responsibilities

Lead the Agency’s strategic development and guide it through its next phase of growth.
Lead the administrative management team responsible for business development, operations, and client services.
Mentor, guide, and develop operational staff and students.
Teach two to three agency-related courses per term.
Mentor and advise undergraduate students as assigned.
Provide strategic leadership for the communications agency model, integrating professional practice, teaching, mentoring, and student development.
Contribute to undergraduate curriculum development, course delivery, advising, and student success initiatives.
Balance 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 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 for careers across advertising, public relations, strategic communication, and related fields.
Participate in scholarly and professional organizations and shared governance.
Perform other duties as assigned.