Overview

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: - 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 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