Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice and Director of Sports Media

Job Description

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.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements for the position include:
● A bachelor's degree in media, journalism, communications, or related field; and
● At least five years of professional media experience, including substantial experience with sports coverage.
Prior university teaching experience and a master's degree in a relevant field are preferred. The ideal candidate will possess at least three years of experience with a major-market, regional or national media organization, delivering content in multiple formats. Prior leadership experience also is preferred, as is a proficient understanding of sports analytics and experience training and mentoring students and/or early career journalists. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
Application Instructions
To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be received by October 26, 2026, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Applications should include 1) a cover letter describing relevant experience, teaching philosophy, and reason for interest in the position; 2) a curriculum vitae; and 3) the names and contact information for three references.
Applications must be submitted online through Interfolio via the following link: TK
For questions about the position and application process, please contact search committee chair Jake Batsell at jbatsell@smu.edu.
The Division of Journalism, housed within the Meadows School of the Arts, is home to more than 200 majors across degree programs in Journalism and Fashion Media, along with specializations in business journalism and sports journalism. Our student media outlets provide opportunities to create professional-level work and develop leadership abilities, and small class sizes allow faculty to know their students and foster personalized instruction and mentorship.
Founded in 1969, the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University is one of the foremost arts and communication education institutions in the United States. The Meadows School offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Advertising, Art, Art History, Arts and Non-Profit Leadership, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Creative Computation, Dance, Design and Innovation, Film and Media Arts, Game Development, Journalism, Music, and Theatre. The Meadows School is a leader in curricular innovation and challenges its students to make a difference locally and globally through building vital connections between the arts and society. The Meadows School of the Arts is also a convener for the arts in North Texas, serving as a catalyst for new collaborations and providing critical industry research.
SMU, a private nonsectarian university of roughly 12,000 students, is an inclusive and intellectually diverse community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas and is dedicated to academic excellence. SMU sits in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, a culturally rich global arts, business and tech hub and home to over eight million people, offering exceptional museums, diverse cultural attractions and a vibrant economy.

Job Requirements

Minimum requirements for the position include:
● A bachelor's degree in media, journalism, communications, or related field; and
● At least five years of professional media experience, including substantial experience with sports coverage.
Prior university teaching experience and a master's degree in a relevant field are preferred. The ideal candidate will possess at least three years of experience with a major-market, regional or national media organization, delivering content in multiple formats. Prior leadership experience also is preferred, as is a proficient understanding of sports analytics and experience training and mentoring students and/or early career journalists. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.

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