Assistant or Associate Professor-Exercise and Sport Sciences

Saint Leo University Company; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Employee health plan

Job summary

Saint Leo University seeks founding faculty for a new Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science. This twelve-month Innovation Faculty role will teach undergraduates and help shape curriculum, with a path to accreditation strategy via CoAES under CAAHEP standards.

The position, based at the main campus in St. Leo, Florida, includes advising, experiential learning supervision, and partnership-building across Tampa Bay.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field with eligibility for faculty appointment.
• 3+ years of professional experience in higher education, clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, health promotion, or related settings.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in Exercise and Sport Science using traditional, hybrid, online, lab, and experiential formats.
• Contribute to curriculum design, sequencing, and accreditation planning.
• Advise students on academics and career development; supervise internships and capstone projects.
• Lead program-building efforts, including accreditation strategy and program identity development.

Skills

Teaching

Curriculum design

Advising

Assessment data

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Exercise Science or related field

Higher education teaching experience

Tools

Educational technology

Job description

Job Description Summary

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. The position has no direct reports and reports to the Department Chairperson and/or Dean.

Job Description Duties and Tasks

Teaching and Student Learning

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.

Program Development and Assessment

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.

Student Advising and Mentorship

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.

Scholarship and Professional Engagement

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.

Service and Community Engagement

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.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

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. (Required) 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. 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. (Required) 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. 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. 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.

Skills

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. 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.

Abilities

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.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• 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.
• Student Evaluations (six classes minimum) – Student evaluations from the last year (at least six classes, an even mix of graduate and undergraduate).
• TRANSCRIPTS 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. Transcripts that are “Issued to Student” or issued to another institution are not accepted. Digital and/or electronic transcripts cannot be accepted at this time.
• 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. Expenses for official transcripts are the responsibility of the applicant. Please have transcripts and certified evaluations mailed to: Attn: Veronica Mantegna Academic Affairs – MC 2006 Saint Leo University PO Box 6665 Saint Leo, Florida 33574.
• Full‑time faculty positions are pending final budget approval prior to start of the academic year.

Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

Notice

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success.

Why Work at Saint Leo? What it’s Like to Work Here:

Ask our employees and the one word they’d use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem‑solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student‑centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world. Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE! We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add‑on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).

• 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
• *Eligibility based on meeting required service period 2025 ICUBA Benefits Guide_St Leo

Each year from 2012 to 2016, Saint Leo University was named one of Tampa Bay’s Top Workplaces by the Tampa Bay Times. The Top Workplaces in Tampa Bay program was created by the Tampa Bay Times and WorkplaceDynamics. The companies in this survey were ranked based on leadership, compensation and training, workplace flexibility, and diversity. One of the Top‑Ranked Universities in Florida One of the top‑ranked universities in Florida, Saint Leo is a Catholic, liberal arts school serving learners of all faiths. We are traditional, but we are cutting edge. Established in 1889 by the Order of Saint Benedict of Florida, the university seeks balanced growth in mind, body and spirit for all members of our community. Saint Leo has grown from a peaceful campus in the rolling hills of Central Florida to an institution of international consequence—ranked one of the best regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report.

Our Tampa‑area campus remains committed as ever to student‑centered liberal arts education, and is strengthened by the global reach of our regionally accredited online programs and Education Centers in seven states across the U.S., including on many military bases. We are Catholic, but we are for everyone. Our determination to make higher education more accessible to all has made Saint Leo a world leader in redefining the 21st century university.

Saint Leo now serves more than 16,000 students from 49 states and 86 countries—ranking us among the five largest Catholic higher education institutions in the United States. Saint Leo is also one of the nation’s 10 leading providers of higher education to the U.S. military. While we are proudly Catholic, we teach students not because they are Catholic, but because we are Catholic. And our faith compels us to imagine and contribute to a more socially just society.

Non-Discrimination EEO Statement

Saint Leo University has a strong commitment to principles of equal employment opportunity and equal access to education. Saint Leo University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnic origin, genetic information, sex, gender, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law in its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, employment, or other school‑administered programs. The policy is enforced by Saint Leo University and by applicable laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992.

The Title IX Office Office Location: Benedictine Hall 3rd Floor Email Address: [e-mail] Telephone Number: [phone] Mailing Address: Saint Leo University ATTN: Title IX Office 33701 C.R. 52, Saint Leo, FL 33574.

The Director of Accessibility Services and the Section 504 Coordinator, Michael Bailey, may be contacted at [e-mail]. Note: Questions regarding job application status can be sent to [e-mail]. The above contacts are listed specifically for Title IX and/or Accessibility concerns only. The University has developed the ‘Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Policy’ to address any Title IX related allegations of sexual harassment. The policy can be found on the University website. A written/hard‑copy version of the policy is available upon request from the Title IX Coordinator.

Links

Campus Security & Safety Employment Site