The University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is the flagship university for the state of Florida, the nation’s third most populous state. Located in Gainesville, UF has 16 colleges, a major academic health center, championship-winning athletics, and, in keeping with its land-grant mission, one of the nation’s most comprehensive agriculture and natural resources programs. The university’s 2,000-acre campus joins a historic core with advanced research and classroom facilities and preserved natural areas, all connecting to adjacent innovation, commercial, and residential districts. UF is ranked 7th among the nation’s top public universities in the 2025 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.

UF has over 60,000 students, 32,000 employees, a $10 billion annual budget, and more than 140 mission-focused units across Florida, including statewide healthcare and agricultural enterprises. It is one of only two public universities in Florida belonging to the Association of American Universities (comprising 71 leading public and private research universities in the U.S. and Canada). UF has more than 6,600 faculty members with distinguished records in teaching, research, and service, including 22 Eminent Scholar Chairs, 38 elected members of the National Academies, 20 elected members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and 91 elected members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2024, UF research expenditures topped $1.26 billion.

As an example of a continuing focus on campuswide innovation, UF was the nation’s first university to implement artificial intelligence across the curriculum, with 350 faculty teaching more than 12,000 students enrolled in more than 200 AI classes. In 2023 UF opened the multidisciplinary Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology, which leverages HiPerGator, a more-than 70,000 core massive computer cluster, ranked as the most powerful university-owned supercomputer in the U.S.

Several additional qualities distinguish UF among today’s leading public research universities. The first is its comprehensive breadth on a single campus, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration. The second is its traditionally strong support from the state of Florida, which has consistently funded UF’s drive to become one of the nation’s best public research universities. UF’s third exceptional quality is its dynamism. UF is undergoing rapid transformation as it pursues its overarching aspiration “to be a premier university that the state, nation, and world look to for leadership.”

Role of Vice President for Government and Community Relations

The Vice President for Government and Community Relations at the University of Florida requires a seasoned professional with in-depth expertise and experience at the state, national and local levels.  This position works to cultivate and enhance the university’s relationships at all levels of government, with a particular focus on state of Florida government entities and works with the university’s senior leadership in the development of proposals and strategies to advocate for university priorities. 

The successful execution of this role requires excellent communication and relationship building skills, a strong working knowledge of government and the role of higher education in research and economic development, and an appreciation for higher education’s complex relationship with federal and state government.  This role requires an ability to collaborate and build successful internal and external partnerships.

Leadership and strategy

Establishes and implements short- and long-range strategy for the government relations function at the University of Florida, focusing on institutional priorities as well as emerging public policy issues Plans, develops, implements, administers, and evaluates programs, activities, and daily operations related to the governmental affairs function Directs the activities of offices in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. Communicates with members of the Board of Trustees on government relations strategies Coordinates legislative requests as well as contract lobbying efforts Develops and manages annual budgets for the government relations function

State of Florida advocacy

In collaboration with senior leadership, develops annual University of Florida legislative advocacy priorities and strategies Develops legislative advocacy materials in support of the university’s legislative agenda Monitors state legislative and policy issues impacting UF, develops position statements as needed and helps to develop execution strategies in consultation with relevant campus entities and leadership Represents the University of Florida on state association boards as appropriate and advocates for statewide appointments of UF leaders and stakeholders to boards and committees Actively studies and monitors draft legislation having the potential to impact university operations or policy and provides frequent updates to the cabinet and other university leaders before, during and after legislative session

Federal government advocacy

Monitors federal issues and legislation affecting higher education in general and UF in particular (e.g., student financial aid, tax policies, immigration and other regulatory issues) Works with senior leadership to develop UF position statements and strategies on key issues and works with other university partners to mobilize constituent advocacy Monitors activities of federal commissions and agencies and promotes appointments of UF faculty and staff as appropriate Participates in government relations programs with higher education associations, particularly the Association of American Universities and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities

Local government and community relationships

Monitors local government activities, including city and county commission meetings, resolutions and agendas, and assesses impact on the UF community of any local government proposals Develops community relations strategy to strengthen and maintain positive town/gown relations in the greater Gainesville community Directs the University of Florida Campaign for Charities Serves as a liaison with the UF Historic St. Augustine direct support organization Represents UF on association boards as appropriate

Qualities and Qualifications

The university seeks a proven leader with demonstrated vision and the ability to execute for results to support and enhance the University’s educational, research, and public service mission. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is the ability to be nonpartisan, collaborative, and able to distill complex issues and make sound judgments and recommendations on sensitive and sometimes confidential matters.  An enthusiasm for advancing UF strategic initiatives also is key. In addition, candidates should possess the following:

Executive Leadership and Vision

Ability to develop a clear vision and strategy consistent with the university’s mission and best practices Demonstrated leadership skills that result in the production of high-quality services and exceptional standards Strategic thinking with the capability of contributing at the senior administrative level and leading other leaders

Communication and Collaboration

Superior communication skills and the ability to connect with a variety of audiences; clear and effective written and oral presentation; and the experience, ability, and inclination to be an effective, outgoing spokesperson for the university Ability to build relationships and collaborate across the institution, serving as a resource to others and obtaining their input; persuasive, persistent, and determined to achieve goals Ability to be nonpartisan, collaborative, and able to distill complex issues and make sound judgments and recommendations on sensitive and sometimes confidential matters

Compensation

Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience. The University of Florida offers a generous benefits package that includes insurances such as health, life, and dental as well as vacation, sick leave and personal days.

Applications and Nominations

Please submit applications, inquiries, and nominations to Melissa Curry, Vice President for Human Resources at melissa.curry@ufl.edu. This position is open until filled.  For full consideration, please submit applications by March 25, 2025. 

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The “government in the sunshine” laws of Florida require that all documents relating to the search process, including letters of application/nomination and reference, be available for public inspection upon request.