Brandcenter Copywriting Lead, Term Instructor

About the role

The VCU Brandcenter is a top-ranked graduate program in advertising, branding, and innovation. This position is within the Creative Concentration Lead (Copywriting) role.

Responsibilities

• Work With The Director Of Curriculum & Instruction To Develop and oversee the design of Creative curriculum that meets the Brandcenter's high standards, while regularly evaluating and updating materials and instructional methods to strengthen student learning outcomes
• Ensure the integration of technology and innovative teaching strategies
• Align Creative curriculum with industry needs to prepare students for today's workforce
• Teach 3-4 courses per semester to graduate-level students
• Recruit and support prospective students through interviews, open houses, and campus visits
• Review and select prospective students
• Attend all faculty and department meetings
• Make strategic recommendations and adjustments to teaching assignments based on faculty expertise and student needs, ensuring a balanced distribution of courses across faculty members
• Regularly assess Creative faculty workload to maintain optimal instructional performance to prevent burnout and support effective course delivery
• Provide recommendations on faculty involvement in special projects (e.g., NSAC, Cannes, award submissions), aligning opportunities with expertise and workload capacity
• Cover thorough performance assessments of Creative faculty in partnership with the Executive Director and support and mentor professors to implement best instructional practices
• Facilitate collaboration among educators to develop interdisciplinary learning experiences and lead targeted professional development programs to enhance teaching effectiveness
• Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Director and Associate Director on curriculum strategy and faculty management
• Foster productive communication and collaboration among faculty members
• Advocate for necessary curriculum adjustments to maintain competitive advantage
• Contribute meaningfully to the Brandcenter's long-term academic planning processes
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team to align academic initiatives with the organization's mission
• Identify opportunities for innovation and growth in academic programming
• Communicate curriculum goals and changes effectively to all relevant parties
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team to align academic initiatives with the organization's mission
• Represent the Brandcenter's academic interests in professional forums and associations
• Attend Senior Administration meetings as deemed appropriate by the Executive Director
• Contribute To Additional Projects: Participate in special projects or initiatives that align with Brandcenter’s mission and goals. This may include research, committee service, or contributing to new program development
• Institutional Support: Assist with other responsibilities as needed to support the success and growth of the program

Qualifications

• Master's degree strongly preferred, or bachelor's degree with evidence of sustained exceptional accomplishment in the field
• 7-10 years of industry experience in advertising, branding, marketing, innovation, or related fields, specifically with a background in Copywriting in a Creative Director-level role or higher
• Proven record of being able to execute and implement projects and the associated deliverables
• Proven record of creative and strategic excellence, whether in campaigns, product development, design, or storytelling at all stages of a campaign or project (creative strategy, concept development, creative execution, and presentation)
• Strong grasp on and experience creating content for a wide range of media and platforms. Ability to translate real-world experience into actionable insights and lessons
• A collaborative spirit and a desire to contribute to a vibrant academic community, along with a passion for teaching and mentoring future industry leaders
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU