Visiting Professor of Practice, Brandcenter

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The VCU Brandcenter, a top-ranked graduate program in advertising, branding, and innovation, is seeking distinguished practitioners to join as a Visiting Professor of Practice for a one-year term beginning summer 2026. This role offers an opportunity to step into an academic setting, share expertise, creativity, and passion with emerging talent, and rejuvenate professional perspective. The program focuses on creating big ideas with real-world application, transforming students into industry-ready leaders.

Requirements

10+ years of industry experience in advertising, branding, marketing, innovation, or related fields, specifically with a background in Art Direction or Copywriting in a Creative Director-level role or higher.
A track record of creative and strategic excellence, whether in campaigns, product development, design, or storytelling.
A passion for teaching and mentoring future industry leaders.
The ability to translate real-world experience into actionable insights and lessons.
A collaborative spirit and a desire to contribute to a vibrant academic community.
Must have current and relevant portfolio work that is award-winning and/or nationally recognized.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree strongly preferred, or bachelor's degree with evidence of sustained exceptional accomplishment in the field
Prior University-Level Teaching Experience
A proven track record of leading and mentoring junior talent

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and lead a minimum of two graduate-level courses per semester in your specific area of expertise, creating dynamic, engaging, and rigorous course content that blends theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world applications.
Facilitate an interactive, in-person learning environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, utilizing a variety of teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles.
Develop assessment strategies to evaluate student performance, provide constructive feedback, and support students’ academic growth.
Offer mentorship and one-on-one coaching to students, providing insights drawn from professional experience and helping them navigate academic challenges, career pathways, and industry expectations.
Share practical advice and career strategies to help students prepare for post-graduate opportunities, facilitating networking connections and encouraging students to pursue internships, projects, or collaborations.
Be accessible to students outside of class time for additional guidance, offering personalized feedback to help them refine their skills and ideas (12-15 office hours per week).
Partner with Brandcenter faculty and leadership to assess, enhance, and innovate the curriculum, ensuring course content remains current and aligned with industry trends, technologies, and practices.
Foster interdisciplinary projects and collaborations that encourage students to think broadly and creatively, working closely with faculty members from different specialties.
Participate in special projects or initiatives that align with Brandcenter’s mission and goals, such as research, committee service, or new program development.
Support Admissions teams with recruitment efforts, including interviews, campus visits, and open houses.
Assist with other responsibilities as needed to support the success and growth of the program.