Strategic Communications & Outreach Lead

UCF; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) leads strategic communications and stakeholder engagement for UCF’s applied research initiatives. This role oversees content, platforms, events, and brand-aligned messaging across communications channels.

The position requires a Master’s degree and 7–10 years in strategic communications or related programs. It also involves guiding crisis communications, media inquiries, and high-level outreach while supervising priorities and deliverables.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications or related field with 7-10 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, or related program communications.
• Experience in communications strategy, message architecture, editorial planning, and brand governance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive communications and outreach strategies that support institutional goals, research initiatives, and stakeholder engagement objectives.
• Create and maintain messaging frameworks, communication plans, editorial calendars, and brand governance standards.
• Lead executive, sponsor, public, and multi-stakeholder communications, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Oversee website content, publications, newsletters, annual reports, technical communications, and other digital and print communications resources.
• Coordinate and support workshops, conferences, advisory councils, industry engagement activities, public events, and community outreach initiatives.
• Develop communications materials that effectively translate complex research, technical, and programmatic information for diverse audiences.
• Manage communications review and approval processes to ensure quality, compliance, and alignment with institutional standards.
• Provide guidance and support for sensitive issues, media inquiries, reputational risks, and crisis communications activities.
• Monitor communication effectiveness and stakeholder engagement metrics and recommend improvements to outreach strategies.
• Collaborate with institute leadership, researchers, sponsors, university partners, government agencies, industry representatives, and external stakeholders.
• Supervise communications projects, prioritize workloads, and manage communications deliverables across multiple initiatives and deadlines.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives that enhance institutional visibility, partnerships, and research impact.

Skills

Communications strategy

Executive communications

Public relations

Stakeholder engagement

Workshops and events

Brand governance

Crisis communications

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) leads strategic communications and stakeholder engagement for UCF’s applied research initiatives. This role oversees content, platforms, events, and brand-aligned messaging across communications channels.

The position requires a Master’s degree and 7–10 years in strategic communications or related programs. It also involves guiding crisis communications, media inquiries, and high-level outreach while supervising priorities and deliverables.