Strategic Communication Student Agency Advisor

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus•Norman, OK

10d

About The Position

The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma seeks a full-time strategic communication student agency advisor to provide hands-on instruction, mentorship, and senior leadership for Lindsey + Asp, a student-managed, professionally led agency. The appointment begins in January 2027. Founded in 2009, Lindsey + Asp provides students with practical agency experience working on clients’ strategic communication needs and has developed creative work for national clients. The advisor will serve as the agency’s overall leader and will be responsible for business development, mentoring, coaching, and supervising student leaders and members. The role also includes teaching a minimum of two classes per semester beyond agency-advisor responsibilities. The advisor will create an agency strategic plan, including a comprehensive new-business plan, and work with students to develop and maintain a differentiated agency brand. Major priorities include building and sustaining a strong client roster and developing the students who serve those clients. The advisor will pursue new client engagements, cultivate existing client relationships, and recruit, onboard, train, mentor, and support the professional development of agency members. The position also involves building a network of alumni and industry professionals to support student development and create internship and post-graduation employment opportunities; connecting students with resources for ongoing research and insights initiatives; and building relationships with campus programs, other colleges, industry organizations, and the broader strategic communication community. Service may include student recruitment and career placement, co-curricular activities, committees, and service to the profession and public. Key performance areas include agency brand and market positioning; new business development and client acquisition; client retention and relationship development; student recruitment and participation; student onboarding, training, and professional development; research activation and industry thought leadership; and financial management and agency sustainability. The position requires scheduling flexibility, including evenings and other non-traditional hours, to support agency operations and students.

Requirements

Master’s degree.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience.
Track record of building and leading teams with demonstrated oversight responsibility and/or experience in strategic communication, marketing, research and insights, digital and social marketing, branding, advertising, public relations, video content creation, new business acquisition, and client management.
Scheduling flexibility, including evenings and other non-traditional hours.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. or other terminal degree.

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership, hands-on instruction, mentorship, coaching, and supervision for Lindsey + Asp student leaders and members.
Develop an agency strategic plan, including a comprehensive new-business plan.
Develop and maintain a differentiated agency brand, positioning, and value proposition.
Identify, pursue, pitch, and secure new client engagements, and cultivate relationships with existing clients.
Recruit, onboard, train, mentor, and support the professional development of agency members.
Build a network of Gaylord alumni and industry professionals to support student development and create internship and post-graduation employment opportunities.
Connect students with external resources to develop and activate ongoing research and insights initiatives.
Build alliances with other colleges and programs and relationships with industry organizations and the strategic communication community.
Manage agency revenue, expenses, client billing, and financial performance.
Teach a minimum of two classes per semester beyond agency-advisor responsibilities.
Participate in service such as student recruitment, career placement, co-curricular activities, college and university committees, and service to the profession and public.