Media Relations Manager

Locations 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, US

The Office of University Communications and Marketing is the primary source for news and information about USF. The UCM team is responsible for producing and promoting university news, coordinating media relations, managing crisis communications, conceiving and implementing advertising and communications campaigns, producing university publications, and maintaining major university websites.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Media Relations, this position will work with the media on behalf of USF, help secure positive news coverage for the university, develop communications strategies to increase brand awareness, contribute to crisis communications and write content for a range of platforms.

• Serves as backup/alternate to the Senior Director of Media Relations, acting as a spokesperson and handling crisis communications issues. Provides media relations support and serves as a liaison university wide.
• Manages daily media relations activities.
• Supports the development of communications and public relations strategies to advance the university's goals and increase brand awareness on a local, national and international level.
• Prepares content for a wide range of university platforms, including but not limited to press releases, website news channels, social media, USF.
• Analyze media coverage opportunities, prepare reports and review program analytics to identify and generate new stories that will advance the USF brand.
• Responds to public records requests.
• Provides media training and prepare university leadership/staff for media interviews. Performs other duties as assigned.

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in communication, marketing, public relations, technical writing, digital media, or related field, with 4 years of experience in related positions; or a Master's degree in the fields listed above and 2 years of experience.

• Senate Bill 1310
  - The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S. (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).)
• 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.
• Prefer five years professional, salaried experience in a newsroom or public relations position. Experience in a higher education environment preferred.

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.…