Communications & Marketing Mgr

Overview The Communications and Marketing Manager for the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) leads comprehensive strategic communications and marketing initiatives to advance FCAN’s mission of increasing college and career readiness, access, and completion for Florida students. This role supports FCAN’s collective impact approach through strategic storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and coordinated communications to build public will and drive systemic change toward the goal that 60% of working-age Floridians hold a high-quality postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. This position typically reports to the FCAN Executive Director or designated senior administrator. FCAN operates as an independent collective impact collaborative hosted by the University of South Florida, requiring 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 role requires a sophisticated understanding of systems change communication, including translating complex policy issues into compelling narratives, coordinating messaging across multiple organizations, and measuring communications impact on awareness and behavioral outcomes. This role focuses 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 priorities and collective impact framework. Content Creation and Storytelling: Create compelling content across 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, email 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 practices. Resource Development: Create communications tools, templates, and resources for 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); OR a master’s degree with 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: related to substitution of work experience for postsecondary education requirements; see details in description. Related statements on SB 1310: substitution of work experience for education requirements and related consolidation of experience options; public employers may consider experience in lieu of degrees as specified. 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, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace. Basic graphic design capabilities (Adobe Creative Suite preferred). HTML/CSS knowledge is advantageous. Experience with database management and CRM systems. Web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics). Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities for diverse audiences; collaborative leadership; project management; strong understanding of systems change communications; media relations and crisis communications experience; strategic thinking. Knowledge of Florida’s education landscape (K-12, workforce, higher education); understanding of collaboration frameworks; experience in education sector communications, policy advocacy, or nonprofit management; knowledge of grant compliance and reporting; understanding of college access and completion initiatives. Office-based environment with travel throughout Florida (up to 25%). Additional Information Environment: Primarily office-based with occasional travel throughout Florida. Physical Requirements: Standard office work; ability to lift materials up to 25 lbs; standing, walking, and presenting at events. Schedule: Standard business hours with occasional evening and weekend work for events and campaigns. Travel: Regular in-state travel; occasional out-of-state travel for professional development or national conferences. About Us Compliance and Federal Notices: This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. USF is an equal opportunity employer. USF provides various benefits and is committed to affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information on accommodations during the application process, see the ADA accommodations page. #J-18808-Ljbffr