Assistant Professor of Sports Media and Communication

Drake; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa invites applications for a nine-month, consecutive-term Assistant Professor of Sports Media and Communication. The role focuses on teaching, production in sports media, and mentoring students, with online and on-campus course options.

Minimum qualifications include an advanced degree and production experience in sports media, plus strong written communication and commitment to diversity.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MA, MS) in Communication, MOs or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Potential for successful teaching of undergraduate courses in sports media.
• Production experience directly related to sports media, media production, television production or related fields.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Expressed desire to provide equal opportunity for all students.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in sports media production (e.g., Sports Writing, Sports Production, Reporting and Writing Principles, Multimedia Lab).
• Mentor students and advise a student media organization or student sports production.
• Provide service to the University and community.
• Engage in scholarship/creative activity and contribute to diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Skills

Teaching

Production experience

Written communication

Team collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Education

MA/MS in Communication or related field

Professional experience 3-5 years

Job description

## Assistant Professor of Sports Media and CommunicationApply: Meredith Hall: Full time: Posted Yesterday: JR100033School of Journalism and Mass Communications**Department Summary:**Drake University is a forward-thinking community of scholars with a focus on active, collaborative learning and applied scholarship. Drake is in Des Moines, Iowa—a vibrant city that is nationally recognized for its quality of life and a wealth of opportunities for professional, social and civic engagement. A Drake education couples hands-on training in professional skills with a strong liberal arts education. We strive to create a community of scholars that represents the complexity of the human experience in regards to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, gender identification, religion, age and physical abilities. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all our faculty, staff, students and visitors. We develop and offer innovative programming serving a variety of audiences, including high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as community members, industry professionals, and retirees. The successful applicant will join a collegial, welcoming, energetic and supportive community. Visit our website (drake.edu/sjmc) to learn more. **Job Summary:**The Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication invites applications for a nine-month, consecutive term appointment of an assistant professor of sports media and communication, beginning in fall semester 2027. Drake’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication is accredited by ACEJMC and offers seven award-winning undergraduate majors: advertising, content strategy and publishing, digital media production, multimedia journalism, public relations, sports media and communication, and strategic political communication. The School also has a successful online Master of Arts in Communication with tracks in brand communication, communication leadership, and public policy and advocacy. The successful applicant will join a collegial, welcoming and supportive community of 14 full-time faculty and staff, and approximately 350 undergraduate and graduate students. We are looking for an innovative colleague who embraces cutting-edge technologies and who can help lead our School in preparing our students for the rapidly changing media landscape. Professional experience working in sports media is required. Ideally the candidate will have experience in sports production and live broadcasts. Candidates may also bring front-of-camera experience to the role. A portfolio of work is expected. Evidence of teaching effectiveness is preferred. Master’s degree is preferred, but we are open to hiring an experienced professional with a bachelor’s degree for this consecutive-term appointment. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated ability to train and mentor students and a history of early adoption of new technologies. The ability to work with colleagues across disciplines to lead students in conceiving, creating, delivering, and promoting rich multimedia content packages for all platforms, and for all types of media outlets, is essential. Depending on skills and interest, teaching assignments may include these undergraduate courses, both on campus and online: Sports Writing, Sports Production, Reporting and Writing Principles, Multimedia Lab, Multimedia Sound Design, Electronic Field Production, Reporting for Television and the Web, and special topics courses focused on interactive reality, data visualization, and emerging technologies. The qualified candidate may also teach online graduate classes in Digital Media Strategies, Emerging Media, and Multimedia Storytelling. Course load is seven courses (4/3) over the academic year. Duties also include academic and career mentoring for students, advising a student media organization or student sports production, and service to the University and community. The search committee is particularly interested in candidates who, through their teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. **Minimum Qualifications:**● An advanced degree (MA, MS) in Communication, Media, Journalism or a related field or equivalent professional experience, which SJMC defines as “at least three to five years of broad and deep experience in real-world situations relevant to the discipline in which the faculty member would be teaching.”● Potential for successful teaching of undergraduate courses in sports media production● Production experience directly related to sports media, media production, television production, news production or related fields● Record of professional achievement related to sports media production● Excellent written communication skills● Expressed desire to provide equal opportunity for all students**Preferred Qualifications:**While not everyone may meet all preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:● Experience teaching at the college or university level● Successful experience in the following:- working collaboratively with others (e.g., committee service, being part ofa production team, co-teaching);- working independently (e.g., supervising a production, coursedevelopment)● Experience in Live Sports Productions as any of the following:- Producer- Director- Technical Director- Replay Operator- Audio Operator- Camera Operator- Graphics Operator- Talent (Play-By-Play/Analyst)● Experience in Sports Newsrooms/Departments as any of the following:- Anchor- Reporter (MMJ)- Videographer- Editor- Producer- Director● Demonstrated successful experience teaching undergraduate media production courses● Experience connecting and collaborating with media industry professionals on the local, regional, and/or national levels● Effective interpersonal communication skills● Effective oral communication skills● Effective classroom management skills● Expressed commitment to Drake University’s mission and values.● Terminal degree in communication, media or related field (MFA, PhD)**Special Instructions to Applicants:**Please complete the online application and attach (1) a letter of interest, (2) CV/Resume, (3) a statement about your experience in supporting the success of students from diverse backgrounds, and (4) the contact details for three references, including one for teaching (if a teaching position).Please do not attach additional documents at this time. Supplemental documents may be requested or required of semi-finalists and finalists. For full consideration, apply by November 9, 2026. The position will remain posted until filled**.** Questions about this position can be directed to the search chair: Dr. Kelly Bruhn, dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, [e-mail] about the application process, working at Drake, spouse/partner support, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa, may be directed to Drake Human Resources at **[e-mail]**.All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of authorization to work in the United States.