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Posted: 28-Sep-23
Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 520906
Department/Organization
207201 - Advertising and Public Relations
Rank
Associate Professor
Position Summary
Primary duties will include teaching public relations or advertising courses at the undergraduate and graduate level and directing the Capstone Agency.
Detailed Position Information
The Department of Advertising & Public Relations at the University of Alabama invites applications for a Director of Capstone Agency, UA’s national award-winning student PR agency. This position is a renewable contract (nine-month) faculty hire at the rank of Associate Professor focusing on public relations or advertising agency management and development. This position requires a combination of experience, contacts, and expertise to manage and develop a student communications agency that integrates the public relations and advertising disciplines.
The Capstone Agency has more than 100 student associates and is consistently recognized by PRSSA as one of the best in the nation. The primary responsibility of the agency director will be to lead the next evolution of the Capstone Agency – to create a best-in-class agency opportunity for A+PR students that enhances the national and international reputation of the A+PR program through the real-world preparation provided to students, the award-winning work created for clients, and the stature of the client list. The director will have close, daily interaction with the Capstone Agency leadership team, regularly monitor the quality and timeliness of all agency work, and ensure that agency processes and procedures are efficient, effective, and consistent with industry standards.
This position includes a teaching component. As much as possible, course teaching assignments will be aligned with topics adjacent to the position’s Capstone Agency responsibilities. The anticipated teaching load for this position is up to two courses per semester. Summer teaching may be available but is not required. Some supervision is necessary during Capstone Agency’s summer operations. Applicants must display an ability to be an active and involved member of a highly collaborative faculty team.
About the Department of Advertising & Public Relations
The Department of Advertising & Public Relations houses a growing community of faculty, staff, and students with various research and professional interests. The department faculty engage in a variety of successful cross-campus collaborations and leadership roles, including directorships in multiple communication-oriented labs and the Institute for Communication & Information Research within the college’s Office for Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activity.
The advertising and public relations undergraduate programs are ACEJMC-accredited. Advertising majors have four options: a general major or a concentration in brand management, advertising creative, or integrated channel planning. Public Relations majors have the option of a general or digital communication concentration. The graduate program awards a Master of Arts in advertising and public relations. The two-year residential program offers an individualized track and more specialized advertising, creative, and media strategy concentrations. The graduate program also provides distance-learning concentrations in digital communication and marketing communication management.
Home to the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, the department is consistently noted by PRWeek magazine as one of the top five programs in the country. Students gain extensive practical experience before graduation through multiple outlets, including work with industry clients such as NASCAR, the Country Music Association, McLaren Automotive, Twitch, and Tervis. The department is also home to the award-winning Minerva advertising portfolio program.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in Advertising, Business, Communication, English, Mass Communication, Public Relations, or closely related field completed by start date PLUS five years of public relations or advertising industry experience, including at least two years of supervisory experience.
OR
• Bachelor’s degree PLUS ten or more years of public relations or advertising industry experience, including at least four years of supervisory experience.
• An entrepreneurial, award-seeking mindset
• Demonstrated success in mentoring direct reports or students
• A commitment to excellence
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications (considered after all minimum qualifications are met): • Senior-level (VP-level and higher) agency leadership experience • Experience in agency new business development and new business pitches • Record of teaching effectiveness, with experience in teaching relevant undergraduate courses • Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) holder and ability to teach APR certificate courses to undergraduate students • Industry experience working with large regional and national clients • Demonstrated success in mentoring direct reports or students • Experience managing and supervising college interns
Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Enough about us. What about you? To apply, go to https://facultyjobs.ua.edu and provide the following: 1) Cover letter highlighting how you meet the minimum qualifications below, with a specific focus on the elements of your industry experience that you believe have prepared you to serve as (1) the advisor and change agent for Capstone Agency and (2) as a mentor to students. Mention any relevant teaching experience as well. 2) CV 3) Names and contact information for three references Review of applications will begin October 24, 2023, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Questions regarding the search should be directed to the search chair, Jay Waters, at waters@apr.ua.edu.
About the Division/College/School
The College of Communication and Information Sciences is home to state-of-the-art media and research facilities like the Digital Media Center and the Institute for Communication and Information Research. The College's students and programs have won several regional and national awards in multiple areas ranging from forensics and debate to being named PRWeek's Most Outstanding Education Program. The College offers bachelor’s degrees in advertising, communication studies, creative media, news media and public relations; master’s degrees in advertising and public relations, book arts, communication studies, journalism and media studies, and library and information studies; and a multidisciplinary doctoral degree in communication and information sciences. With an award-winning faculty and staff and commitment to innovative scholarship and teaching, the College of Communication and Information Sciences is dedicated to realizing the potential of communication and information to make everyone’s world a better place.
About the University
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus.
A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. The University of Alabama has R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is among the top doctoral research universities in the United States.
As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
About Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is so much more than a college town.
It's a vibrant community that’s filled with legendary history. Located along the Black Warrior River, the city features a walkable downtown that’s complete with live music, locally owned shops, outdoor spaces to explore and local restaurants to meet every palate. With a geography ranging from suburban to rural, the area offers a variety of housing options along with excellent public and private schools and a wealth of recreational and entertainment options.
With a metro area population of 235,000, the Druid City lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, in west-central Alabama. It’s within a few hours’ drive of Gulf Coast beaches and major cities like Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta, making it a great base for growing better acquainted with the South’s finest offerings.
Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf
