Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice and Director of Sports Media
Location: Dallas, Texas, United States.
About the role
The Division of Journalism invites applications for a non-tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice who will serve as Director of Sports Media, teaching courses for the Division’s Sports Journalism Specialization and providing leadership in expanding the program. The anticipated teaching workload is three courses per semester, including the Division’s existing sports-focused courses and other courses depending on area of expertise. Additional responsibilities also will include updating and shaping curriculum, committee work, student media advising and/or developing internships, guest lectures, and other opportunities for students. The sports media director will join a growing, innovative community that seeks to provide students with the skills, opportunities, and conceptual knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-changing media landscape. The successful candidate will collaborate with sports-focused programs across campus, leveraging the rising profile of SMU Athletics in the Atlantic Coast Conference as well as the DFW region’s reputation as an epicenter of sports media. The position begins August 2027.
Responsibilities
- Teach three courses per semester (sports-focused courses and others based on expertise)
- Update and shape curriculum
- Serve on committees
- Advise student media and develop internships
- Organize guest lectures and other student opportunities
- Collaborate with sports-focused programs across campus
- Leverage SMU Athletics’ ACC profile and DFW sports media reputation
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in media, journalism, communications, or related field
- At least five years of professional media experience, including substantial experience with sports coverage
- Satisfactory completion of a background check (hiring contingency)
Qualifications
- Prior university teaching experience (preferred)
- Master's degree in a relevant field (preferred)
- At least three years of experience with a major-market, regional, or national media organization delivering content in multiple formats (ideal)
- Prior leadership experience (preferred)
- Proficient understanding of sports analytics (preferred)
- Experience training and mentoring students and/or early career journalists (preferred)
Skills
- Sports coverage and reporting
- Multi-format content creation (text, video, audio, digital)
- Curriculum development and instructional design
- Student advising and mentorship
- Leadership and program expansion
- Sports analytics application
- Collaboration with athletic departments and media organizations