Communications & Marketing Mgr

The Communications and Marketing Manager for the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) is responsible for leading comprehensive strategic communications and marketing initiatives that advance FCANs mission to dramatically increase college and career readiness access and completion for all Florida students. This position plays a critical role in supporting FCANs 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.

Strategic Communications Leadership: Develop implement and evaluate comprehensive annual communications plans that align with FCANs 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 FCANs 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 FCANs mission

• Bachelors 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 masters degree in related field and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Valid Florida drivers license and ability to travel throughout Florida.
• Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree.
  Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( 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 bachelors degree;
  (c) Six years of direct experience for a masters 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 Floridas 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