Unleash YOUR Potential With Us
As a next-generation public research institute, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission in unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.
UCF Communications
UCF Communications develops and executes a media relations strategy focused on achieving the university’s goals, desired outcomes and established metrics. The high-performing team collaborates across Communications & Marketing, throughout the university and with UCF’s partners to deliver aligned results and strengthen the university’s reputation.
The Opportunity:
The Communications Specialist plays an important role in promoting and protecting UCF’s reputation, including activities related to academic programs, fundraising, research, student success and community impact. This position will develop and execute communications strategies about stories and topics that demonstrate how UCF unleashes the potential of our students, faculty and staff to positively change the world. This position also will respond to media requests, provide strategic counsel to faculty and staff on media opportunities, and assist with responsibilities related to how UCF Communications measures the outcomes and impact of our team’s work.
Responsibilities:
- Develops, manages, and executes communication strategies creating positive awareness for the university using emails, news releases, internal communications, web content, social media, and other public relations methods.
- Researches and writes news releases and media pitches highlighting academic excellence, student success, innovation, partnerships, and community impact. Identifies opportunities to create interest in positive stories about UCF.
- Prepares timely pitches on faculty experts that maximize the opportunity for expert commentary on current events and major issues.
- Effectively respond to incoming media requests for information and interviews with UCF experts. Assist faculty and staff in strategically preparing for interviews as needed.
- Compiles daily, weekly and monthly reports of news coverage, tracks the department’s metrics, develops and maintains media distribution lists, and assists with special projects.
- Writes and edits stories and other copy for the university’s news website, social media content, and other internal communications.
- Assists with planning and executing communication strategies to enhance UCF’s public image and protect the university’s reputation.
- Assists in planning and managing media events such as news conferences, availabilities, interviews, and special events with a high likelihood of media interest.
- Performs other related duties as required or deemed appropriate to meet department, division, and university goals.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong writing skills.
- Experience with measuring the impact of public relations activities (metrics and reporting).
- Prefer candidates with the ability to communicate in conversational Spanish in order to work effectively with members of the media (including Spanish language media), the public, and university employees and students.
Are Benefits Important to You?
Working at UCF has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:
- Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
- Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays
- Retirement savings options
- Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
- Education assistance
- Flexible work environment
- And more…For more benefits information, go to UCF Employee Benefits Guide (12-14-21)
Who Are We?
Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, Ph.D.’s., certificates, and more.
Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong writing skills.
Experience with measuring the impact of public relations activities (metrics and reporting).
Prefer candidates with the ability to communicate in conversational Spanish in order to work effectively with members of the media (including Spanish language media), the public, and university employees and students.
Department
Communications and Marketing
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Some flexibility may be needed for nights or weekends. Remote or hybrid work options may be available as per UCF policy and with supervisory approval.
Type of Appointment
Regular
Expected Salary
$48,722.00 to Negotiable
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF’s Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at http://www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf.
As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.