Assistant Professor, Sport Management

Assistant Professor, Sport Management

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Professor, Sport Management.

Position Details Location Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States Division Sport Management Position Type Faculty Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded No Pay Grade

Generic Grade

Posting Close Date Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, completed application materials (including (1) a letter of application for the position that speaks to the minimum and preferred qualifications listed above; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) a statement of teaching philosophy, (4) a statement of research philosophy, (5) unofficial graduate transcripts (official transcripts required upon hiring); and (6) three references with contact information should be submitted to The University of Southern Mississippi website at https://jobs.usm.edu by the priority deadline of October 15, 2026. Questions should be directed to Dr. Chris Croft, Search Committee Chair, at chris.croft@usm.edu.

Starting Date

August 2027

Location

The position is based at the Hattiesburg campus.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

This tenure-track Assistant Professor of Sport Management position will support our Sport Management BSBA program, Sport Management MS program, and Sport Security Management Graduate Certificate. Applicants with teaching experience/interest in sport law, sport finance, and sport analytics are especially encouraged to apply. The School of Marketing is in the College of Business & Economic Development (CBED) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). USM is categorized as a Carnegie R1 research institution. The College of Business and Economic Development is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). As an AACSB-accredited school, we maintain the highest standard for business schools in the world.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach three courses (9 hours) per semester (or equivalent). Teaching assignments will support the Sport Management BSBA and MS degrees and Sport Security Management certificate; and may include a variety of Sport Management and business courses.
• Display quality teaching (both online and in-person) with an emphasis on applied learning in Sport Law, Sport Finance, Sport Analytics, and additional subject areas, as needed.
• Engage in an active research agenda and produce research that meets quality standards set by the school and college per AACSB guidelines.
• Foster strong industry connections.
• Contribute to service activity, including committee work, recruitment, retention, mentoring students, supporting undergraduate research, and other official activities, which contribute to the mission/vision of the program, school, college, and university.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in Sport Management or a related field. Candidates with ABD status and nearing completion of their dissertation may be considered but must provide compelling evidence that the doctoral degree will be completed before August 2027. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full time and continuing basis without current or future sponsorship. Temporary employment authorizations, including OPT and CPT, do not satisfy this requirement.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to teach effectively (both online and in traditional settings) at the university level.
• Ability to effectively advise and mentor students.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds, programs, and colleges.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess a strong background or exhibit potential for conducting scholarly research.

Teaching experience/interest in Sport Law, Sport Finance, Sport Analytics, and the willingness/ability to teach a variety of Sport Management undergraduate and graduate courses, as needed.

Develop and deliver face-to-face and online instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Demonstrate effective project-based or applied teaching experience.

Connect with and relate to our diverse student population while maintaining rigor in the classroom.

Establish relationships with sport business partners.

Engage in recruitment and retention of students.

Participate in and support a collaborative working environment.

Practical sport industry experience may be considered in lieu of teaching experience.

The Mission of our Sport Management Programs

The Sport Management degree program prepares students for management and leadership positions with professional sport teams, intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics, university recreation programs, and amateur athletic organizations. This preparation is accomplished through a combination of required business core courses, sport management courses, and experiential components.

The sport management degree program is designed to prepare students who seek careers in sport programming in private enterprise, municipal sport administration, professional athletic office operations, college athletic administration or interscholastic athletic administration. The program will also prepare students for graduate study.

The Master of Science in Sport Management prepares professionals for advanced careers in the expanding sport industry by enhancing their critical thinking skills and exposing them to expert knowledge and research in the field of sport. The curriculum is designed to enable students to acquire and demonstrate a set of management skills and an understanding of the sport industry through a combination of required core courses, electives, research, and experiential components.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation''s leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.