Social Media Public Information Officer

Advancement means progress. At the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), the University Advancement team serves as storytellers, relationship builders, and strategists. We bring together University Relations, Development, and Alumni Relations to elevate UAF’s brand as Alaska’s flagship research university and America’s Arctic university. As the Social Media Public Information Officer (PIO), you won’t just manage accounts—you will serve as the premier digital voice of Nanook Nation. You will work closely with UAF executive leadership and the Office of the Chancellor to amplify major initiatives, translate world-class Arctic research into viral, accessible digital content, and guide campus-wide digital communication strategy.

Working in University Advancement means stepping into a creative, collaborative, and fast-paced environment where no two days look the same. This role requires in person presence on campus and agility—including occasional evening and weekend coverage for high-profile institutional events. It is an exciting time to join our team: under new leadership, UAF is leaning heavily into bold ideas, fresh branding, and public engagement. You will lead multi-channel digital campaigns, test emerging social technologies, and leverage an enterprise social media management and analytics suite.

What makes this role truly special is the environment and community. You’ll be working at the premier higher education and research institution in Alaska, telling stories that resonate globally—from breakthrough climate research to inspiring student success stories. We offer a total rewards package, generous time off, and continuous career development opportunities within a supportive team that celebrates big wins.

This isn’t a backend administrative role—it is a high-profile, high-impact leadership position with real authority and autonomy. As the primary digital voice for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, you will have a front-row seat to world-changing Arctic research and a direct hand in shaping UAF’s institutional identity. Operating at the intersection of public relations, digital strategy, and executive communications, your work will directly influence how students, lawmakers, donors, researchers, and global audiences perceive Alaska’s flagship university.

What makes UAF and University Advancement unique is our scale and purpose. Located in the heart of the Interior, UAF is America’s Arctic university—a top-tier (R1-eligible) research institution tackling global climate science, Indigenous studies, aerospace, and cold-climate engineering. Within University Advancement, we foster an agile, creative, and supportive culture where bold ideas are rewarded. With a new chancellor bringing transformative vision and big ambitions to campus, you will have the freedom to experiment with new platforms, innovate our digital strategy, and build campaigns that leave a lasting mark.

What You Bring to the Table:
To succeed in this position, you should possess a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field, alongside 4–6 years of progressive experience leading digital communications or social media strategy for a large, complex organization. You bring a proven track record of managing multi-channel social media strategies, navigating crisis communications under pressure, and crafting compelling public narratives. Exceptional writing, sharp multimedia skills, and a deep familiarity with enterprise social management tools (such as Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or Meltwater) and social analytics are essential.

Core Behaviors & Cultural Fit:
Beyond technical expertise, we are looking for a strategic thinker who leads with diplomacy, sound judgment, and cultural humility. You must be comfortable interfacing with executive leadership and subject-matter experts, translating complex academic concepts into engaging, accessible content. Success in this role requires high emotional intelligence, adaptability in fast-moving situations, and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—ensuring all members of our vibrant campus and statewide community feel represented in UAF’s story.

Location & Work Setup: Based on our main campus in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Work Hours: Standard full-time business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), with built-in flexibility for occasional evening or weekend coverage during major campus events, athletic action, or emergency public information scenarios.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications or related field and 4 years progressively responsible experience relevant to the program or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 80, based on education and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed. 

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sarah Randazzo, Signers' Business Office at sjrandazzo@alaska.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.