Associate Director, Network Engagement & Communications

Job Description

The Director of Network Engagement and Communications serves as a senior leader responsible for FCAN's comprehensive portfolio of statewide programs, strategic communications, network engagement, and partnerships, with administrative oversight embedded throughout all functions. This position plays a critical role in advancing FCAN's mission through the direct management of signature initiatives that serve students throughout Florida, while simultaneously stewarding FCAN's brand, cultivating the statewide network, and building strategic partnerships that amplify organizational impact.

The Director possesses exceptional program management, communications, and relationship-building expertise, serving as a key connector between FCAN's local college access networks, statewide partners, and diverse stakeholder communities. S / he ensures excellence across all program areas while crafting communications strategies and partnership frameworks that build public will, engage networks, and advance policy priorities. This position requires a collaborative leader who can navigate complexity, manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously, and translate programmatic success into strengthened networks and sustainable.

Responsibilities

Network & Stakeholder Engagement :

Cultivate and strengthen relationships with FCAN's network of local college access networks

Develop strategies to enhance network capacity, engagement, and collective impact

Facilitate network convenings, learning opportunities, and collaborative initiatives

Monitor network health and implement strategies to expand geographic reach

Build and maintain strategic partnerships with K-12 districts, postsecondary institutions, community organizations, businesses, and government entities

Identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities that advance FCAN's mission and expand program reach

Represent FCAN at conferences, meetings, and public events to strengthen relationships and advance organizational priorities

Coordinate partnership agreements and collaborative initiatives across multiple sectors

Support resource development efforts through partner engagement and relationship cultivation

Program Leadership :

Provide strategic oversight and management of FCAN's signature statewide initiatives including College Ready Florida, Florida FAFSA Challenge, Apply Yourself, and Plan It Florida

Develop and implement comprehensive program strategies that align with FCAN's strategic priorities and measurable outcomes

Cultivate and maintain relationships with K-12 districts, postsecondary institutions, and community partners participating in statewide initiatives

Monitor program performance, analyze data, and implement continuous improvement strategies to maximize student impact

Strategic Communications and Brand Management :

Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies that advance FCAN's mission and build public awareness of college access issues

Serve as primary steward of FCAN's brand, ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms and stakeholder interactions

Create compelling content for multiple channels including website, social media, newsletters, reports, and presentations

Manage media relations and serve as organizational spokesperson when appropriate

Coordinate communications efforts with local college access networks and statewide partners

Administrative and Organizational Management :

Oversee day-to-day functions supporting all program, communications, network, and partnership activities

Develop and maintain systems for program evaluation, reporting, and stakeholder engagement across all functions

Ensure coordination and alignment between programs, communications, and partnership strategies

Lead cross-functional teams and coordinate with other directors to achieve organizational goals

Support organizational planning, policy development, and strategic initiative implementation

Qualifications

This position requires a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of five years related exempt experience, including two years of experience managing exempt level employees.

Preferred : Advanced degree in education, communications, public policy, or related field and ten years of professional experience in senior program management or communications roles.

Administrative Manager : Ensures seamless support across all functions while maintaining focus on efficiency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience in print and digital communications and brand management.

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.

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 :

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.