Communications & Marketing Mgr

Job Description
The Communications and Marketing Manager for the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) is responsible for leading comprehensive strategic communications and marketing initiatives that advance FCAN’s mission to dramatically increase college and career readiness, access, and completion for all Florida students. This position plays a critical role in supporting FCAN’s collective impact approach through strategic storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and coordinated communications that build public will and drive systemic change toward the goal of 60% of working-age Floridians holding a high-quality postsecondary degree or credential by 2030.
This position typically reports to the FCAN Executive Director or designated senior administrator. As FCAN operates as an independent collective impact collaborative hosted by the University of South Florida, this role requires expertise in both traditional communications and collective impact methodology. The Communications
and Marketing Manager serves as the primary communications strategist for a statewide network of diverse stakeholders including K-12 schools, higher education institutions, nonprofits, businesses, and government entities.
The position requires a sophisticated understanding of systems change communication, including the ability to translate complex policy issues into compelling narratives, coordinate messaging across multiple organizations, and measure communications impact on both awareness and behavioral outcomes. This role differs from
traditional university communications positions in its focus on facilitating network-wide communications, building public will for education access and success, and supporting collective action among diverse partners.
Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership: Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive annual communications plans that align with FCAN’s strategic priorities and collective impact framework
Content Creation and Storytelling: Create compelling content across multiple platforms including websites, newsletters, social media, blogs, annual reports, and multimedia materials that elevate partner stories and demonstrate collective impact
Media Relations and Public Affairs: Serve as primary media contact, develop relationships with education reporters, and coordinate media strategies that advance policy and systems change goals
Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate communications with and among diverse network partners including school counselors, college access professionals, higher education leaders, policymakers, and community organizations
Digital Strategy Management: Oversee FCAN’s digital presence including website management, social media strategy across multiple platforms, email marketing campaigns, and online community building
Event Communications: Lead communications strategy for major events including the annual FCAN Talent Strong Florida Summit, statewide campaigns, and partner convenings
Campaign Development: Design and implement statewide awareness campaigns such as the Florida FAFSA Challenge, College Application Week, and other initiatives that drive student action
Partnership Communications: Coordinate messaging and communications support for Local College Access Networks (LCANs) and other partner organizations
Research and Analysis: Track, measure, and report on communications effectiveness through analytics, surveys, and impact assessment aligned with collective impact measurement practices
Resource Development: Create communications tools, templates, and resources that can be utilized by network partners to amplify shared messaging
Grant Compliance: Ensure communications activities meet funder requirements and support grant reporting with relevant metrics and outcomes data
Performs other duties as assigned to advance FCAN's mission

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, digital media, or related field, with 4 years of experience in strategic communications, preferably in education, nonprofit, or public sector environments; OR master’s degree in related field and 2 years of relevant experience.
Valid Florida driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Florida.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Advanced proficiency in content management systems (WordPress) Email marketing platforms (MailChimp) Social media management tools and analytics platforms Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace

Basic Graphic Design Capabilities (Adobe Creative Suite Preferred)
HTML/CSS knowledge preferred
Database management and CRM systems
Web analytics tools (Google Analytics, etc.)

Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities with demonstrated experience creating content for diverse audiences
Collaborative leadership style with experience facilitating multi-stakeholder initiatives
Project management skills with ability to coordinate multiple campaigns simultaneously
Strong understanding of systems change communications
Experience with media relations, crisis communications, and public affairs
Creative problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking
Self-directed with strong initiative and ability to work independently
Knowledge of Florida’s education landscape, including K-12, workforce, and higher education systems
Understanding of collaboration frameworks and approaches
Experience in education sector communications, policy advocacy, or nonprofit management
Knowledge of grant compliance and reporting requirements
Understanding of college access and completion initiatives
Environment: Primarily office-based; occasional travel throughout Florida (up to 25%)
Physical Requirements: Standard office environment with computer work; ability to lift materials up to

25 lbs.; standing, walking, and presenting at events and conferences

Schedule: Standard business hours with occasional evening and weekend work for events and

campaigns

Travel: Regular in-state travel required for stakeholder meetings, events, and presentations; occasional

out-of-state travel for professional development or national conferences
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.