Assistant/Associate Professor, Sport and Event Management

Cal Poly • San Luis, CA

35d • Onsite

About The Position

The Experience Industry Management Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor of Sport and Event Management starting approximately August 12, 2027. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute broadly to the experience industry (i.e., tourism, events, hospitality, sport, recreation, and emerging experience-based sectors) and to sport and event management. The role provides cross-pollination opportunities across degree emphasis areas of tourism, hospitality, destination marketing, recreation, and experience design and emphasizes interdisciplinary scholarship that expands applied research capacity in the Experience Innovation Lab and advances both theoretical frameworks and applied practices in sport event strategy, logistics, sustainability, and community impact. The position offers an exciting opportunity to shape how students learn to design, deliver, and evaluate meaningful experiences broadly in the experience industry and through sport and events. The successful candidate will teach core undergraduate courses in the Experience Industry Management Department, and courses in sport and event management. Examples of potential courses may include the following: Introduction to Sport Management, Community Relations and Sports-Based Youth Development, Sport Marketing and the Fan Experience, Strategic Event Planning, Strategic Event Implementation, Experiential Marketing Strategies for Experience Industry Management, Interpreting Experience Industry Data Analytics, Introduction to the Experience Industry, Senior Project in the Experience Industry, and Assessment & Evaluation in the Experience Industry. Duties may include, but are not limited to, supervision of interns, undergraduate research projects, and student career advising. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (e.g., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) directly related to sport and event management and as an integral contributor to the Experience Innovation Lab, where the candidate will play a central role in leading projects, pursuing external funding, and advancing the lab's mission. The successful candidate is also expected to provide service on committees for the department, college, and university and participate in instructional-related student professional development activities (e.g., student club advisor, professional conference liaison for students, supervision of special events like Open House, etc.). Expectations also include service to local, state, national, international, and related professional organizations. Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges: Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156 Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720

Requirements

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in sport management, event planning and management, recreation, parks, and tourism administration, or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate will be awarded prior to the start of the appointment.
• Demonstrated, or potential for, excellence in teaching.
• Effective communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be a team player.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
• Demonstrated, or potential for, an ability to secure external funding and publish research.
• Ability to interact well with peers, students, industry partners, and the general public.
• Experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching and curriculum development.
• A commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.

Nice To Haves

• Previous work experience in sport and/or event management organizations.
• Research or applied experience with mega-events such as the Super Bowl, World Cup, and the Olympic Games.
• Ability to engage with online and hybrid course development and instruction.
• Ability to collaborate on research with faculty across the College, University, and industry.
• Collaborative, applied and innovative research backgrounds.
• Research partnerships within the sport and event management industry.

Responsibilities

• Teach core undergraduate courses in the Experience Industry Management Department, and courses in sport and event management.
• Supervise interns, undergraduate research projects, and student career advising.
• Participate in scholarly activities (e.g., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) directly related to sport and event management.
• Play a central role in leading projects, pursuing external funding, and advancing the Experience Innovation Lab's mission.
• Provide service on committees for the department, college, and university.
• Participate in instructional-related student professional development activities (e.g., student club advisor, professional conference liaison for students, supervision of special events like Open House, etc.).
• Provide service to local, state, national, international, and related professional organizations.

Benefits

• Rank and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Potential eligibility to teach in a third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.

What This Job Offers

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