Assistant or Associate Professor-Exercise and Sport Sciences

Saint Leo University Brasil • San Jose, CA

40d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is founding faculty for Saint Leo University’s new Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science program, launching its first cohort in Fall 2027. This appointment is also part of the University’s Dynamic Faculty Model, a new category of 12-month faculty created to launch emerging programs and connect them directly with industry and community partners. For this Innovation Faculty role, Saint Leo seeks an innovator, an enthusiastic individual who is passionate about building and growing a program from the ground up. The Assistant or Associate Professor will teach undergraduate Exercise and Sport Science courses while helping shape the program’s curriculum, course sequencing, assessment design, and continuous improvement from inception, including the opportunity to lead the program’s accreditation strategy through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) under standards set by the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). The role also includes student advising, experiential learning supervision, recruitment, and partnership-building with healthcare, fitness, sport, and performance organizations across the Tampa Bay region. This is a full-time, twelve-month, renewable faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank (rank and salary commensurate with the incumbent's experience), non-tenure track, based at Saint Leo University’s main campus in St. Leo, Florida. Salary is established on a twelve-month basis and indexed to reflect the full annual term of the appointment.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or a closely related movement science field, with significant professional experience and eligibility for faculty appointment under institutional and accreditation guidelines.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in higher education, clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, sport performance, health promotion, rehabilitation, fitness management, or related settings.
• Knowledge of exercise physiology and human performance assessment, exercise prescription for healthy and clinical populations, strength and conditioning principles, applied biomechanics and movement analysis, evidence-based health promotion and wellness strategies, and current industry and accreditation standards within exercise and sport science.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, training, coaching, mentoring, or professional supervision, with strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication.
• Experience utilizing contemporary educational technologies and discipline-specific software in teaching and assessment.
• Ability to integrate technology and active-learning strategies into instruction, with data-driven decision-making and assessment skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, and effective collaboration across interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to cultivate partnerships with industry, healthcare, fitness, sport, and community stakeholders, including organizations across the Tampa Bay region.
• Ability to foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment and mentor students from diverse educational, cultural, and professional backgrounds, including those pursuing graduate education, professional certifications, and careers in health, fitness, sport performance, rehabilitation, and allied health.
• Ability to lead curriculum innovations and program growth initiatives, including shaping a new program from inception and leading its accreditation strategy.
• Ability to adapt to evolving educational technologies and workforce needs, and to demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations across healthcare, fitness, performance, and community settings.
• Cover Letter
• Teaching Philosophy - (500 words or less), should highlight how your teaching philosophy and practices fit the Mission and Values of Saint Leo University.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation – All letters of recommendation should be professional references and at least one (1) from a recent superior. If you do not have those documents at the time of application, please upload a text or word document stating, "Recommendations will be sent independently."
• Student Evaluations (six classes minimum) – Student evaluations from the last year (at least six classes, an even mix of graduate and undergraduate).
• Official transcripts are required for all adjuncts and all final full-time faculty candidates
• Official transcripts for Master, Graduate, and Doctorate degrees are required to complete your application packet and are to be issued directly to Saint Leo University from the respective education institution.
• World Education Services (WES) Evaluation – A certified evaluation and translation from World Education Services (WES) is required for foreign transcripts and/or any and all degrees obtained from international universities.

Nice To Haves

• Specialization in one or more of the following is preferred: Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, Human Performance, Sport Performance, Biomechanics, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sport Nutrition, or Motor Learning and Motor Control.
• Professional certification is preferred (e.g., ACSM-EP or ACSM-CEP, NSCA-CSCS, CPSS, NASM or ACE credentials, or other nationally recognized certification relevant to the discipline); multiple certifications are highly desirable, though certification is not required to teach.
• Preferred: knowledge of sports analytics and performance-monitoring technologies, wearable technology and physiological data collection, clinical exercise testing and interpretation, program assessment and accreditation processes, and emerging trends in sport science and human performance optimization.
• Preferred: experience teaching in higher education, supervising internships or experiential learning placements, and disseminating scholarly work.
• Preferred: experience with curriculum development, accreditation, program assessment, and outcomes measurement, and experience using human performance testing equipment and laboratory technologies.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in Exercise and Sport Science and related areas.
• Deliver instruction through traditional, hybrid, online, laboratory, and experiential learning formats.
• Develop and implement evidence-based instructional strategies that support student success and engagement.
• Utilize educational technologies and discipline-specific software to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
• Assess student achievement and continuously improve course quality through data-informed practices.
• Participate in shaping the program from its inception, including curriculum design, course sequencing, and accreditation strategy.
• Support curriculum development, revision, and assessment initiatives.
• Participate in accreditation, compliance, and continuous quality improvement processes.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that support enrollment growth, retention, and student achievement.
• Lead program-building efforts that establish the program’s identity, visibility, and market presence from its first cohort forward.
• Work directly with internal and external stakeholders, including admissions, marketing, and industry and community partners, to achieve program enrollment targets.
• Assist with development of new certificates, concentrations, and industry partnerships.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate students regarding academic progression, career development, and professional preparation.
• Support students pursuing graduate education, professional certifications, and careers in health, fitness, sport performance, rehabilitation, and allied health professions.
• Supervise internships, field experiences, capstone projects, and undergraduate research activities.
• Maintain professional currency through scholarship, certification, professional practice, and continuing education.
• Engage in scholarly activities, presentations, or applied professional projects.
• Participate in professional organizations and maintain visibility within the discipline.
• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees.
• Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare systems, fitness organizations, sport organizations, rehabilitation centers, community agencies, and professional partners across the Tampa Bay region.
• Support student recruitment, retention, alumni engagement, and community outreach initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Department Chairperson and/or Dean.

Benefits

• FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees
• Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
• Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
• 100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Wellness Center

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level