CCIS – Assistant/Associate Professor, Renewable Contract, Public Relations and Entrepreneurship, Advertising and Public Relations- 530881

The University of Alabama • Tuscaloosa, AL

10d

About The Position

The Department of Advertising and Public Relations at The University of Alabama is hiring a renewable contract, non-tenure-track assistant or associate professor in public relations and entrepreneurship. The role supports a new initiative to strengthen entrepreneurial activity among students and industry. The successful candidate will bring professional public relations expertise, a commitment to preparing students to contribute to entrepreneurial ventures, and innovative professional practice that can inform classroom teaching. The position starts in August 2027.

The faculty member will teach four courses each fall and spring semester. Depending on experience and academic qualifications, assigned courses may include undergraduate subjects in advertising and public relations, audience analysis, messaging, public relations strategy, writing, management, leadership, campaigns, strategic communication business, and ethics. The faculty member will also be encouraged to develop courses connecting public relations and entrepreneurship, and may teach master's and doctoral courses. The role includes developing partnerships with the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute, The EDGE, and other entrepreneurship programs. Working with student groups such as PRSSA is desired. The successful candidate is expected to contribute actively to a highly collaborative faculty team.

Relevant entrepreneurial communications experience may include work with startups or high-growth companies; serving entrepreneurial clients through an agency or consultancy; founding or building a communications business; advising founders, franchisees, family businesses, or small businesses; supporting incubators, accelerators, university entrepreneurship programs, or commercialization initiatives; helping launch nonprofit or social enterprises; developing communications ventures or agency practices; and managing investor, funding, or transition communications. These examples are illustrative, and other relevant experience may qualify.

Requirements

• For assistant professor rank: a Ph.D. or other terminal degree in public relations or a related field.
• For assistant professor rank: at least three years of professional experience in public relations or a related field, including at least one year involving entrepreneurial communications activities.
• For associate professor rank: a Ph.D. or other terminal degree in public relations or a related field.
• For associate professor rank: at least 10 years of professional experience in public relations or a related field, including at least three years involving entrepreneurial communications activities.
• Proficiency in AP style.
• Ability to be an active and engaged member of a highly collaborative faculty team.

Nice To Haves

• At least five years of public relations experience in senior or leadership roles.
• At least three years of leadership-level entrepreneurial communications activities.
• Experience teaching college-level classes or leading employee training or workshops.
• Innovative, experiential teaching approaches such as client-based projects, design thinking, venture simulations, pitch development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Ability to help students develop creativity, adaptability, and comfort with experimentation in entrepreneurial environments.
• Experience using AI to assist with or create public relations communications.
• Ability to work with student groups such as PRSSA.

Responsibilities

• Teach four courses each fall and spring semester.
• Teach courses in public relations and advertising, potentially including introductory courses, audience analysis, messaging, public relations strategy and writing, management, leadership, campaigns, strategic communication business, and ethics.
• Develop new courses connecting public relations and entrepreneurship.
• Develop partnerships with the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute, The EDGE, and other entrepreneurship programs.
• Contribute actively as an engaged member of a collaborative faculty team.
• Potentially teach master's and doctoral courses, depending on academic qualifications.
• Work with student groups such as the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), as desired.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree