"Assistant Professor in Sport Management, Fall 2026"

Job Details

Assistant Professor in Sport Management, Fall 2026

Location: Knoxville, TN

Open Date: Aug 1, 2025

Description:

The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor with a focus in sport management.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach in the areas of Sport Marketing, Sport Finance, Sport Business, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management and related areas
• Conduct research leading to publication in refereed journals
• Participate in professional, university, and community service
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and direct graduate projects, theses, and dissertations
• Pursue external funding and grant writing when appropriate

About the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies:

The department is home to over 50 faculty and staff members. There are two undergraduate majors: Kinesiology, and Recreation & Sport Management. The department has a total of 2,036 undergraduate majors, along with multiple master's degree programs and a PhD program in Kinesiology and Sport Studies, serving 178 graduate students. Its doctoral program is ranked among the top 20 in the nation by the National Academy of Kinesiology.

Location:

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. The university is currently experiencing unprecedented growth in enrollment, with more than 38,000 students. The University is also a Carnegie Foundation Research (R1) University with high research activity and has achieved a Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. Forbes Magazine recently ranked UTK as one of the best places to work in the United States, including a ranking of ninth among public higher education institutions in the United States. The university is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society. In all its activities, the university aims to advance the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate society.

About Knoxville:

The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem. It is surrounded by eight gorgeous lakes and has a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene including internationally recognized festivals, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural and outdoor activities. The university is located within easy driving distance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, Atlanta, and Nashville.

Qualifications:

We are seeking candidates who will pursue an innovative, rigorous research program; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; and provide department, college, and professional service. An earned doctorate in sport management or related discipline is required. Candidates should have experience in, or potential for conducting high-impact research, publishing in top peer reviewed journals, and seeking external funding to support their scholarship. They should be passionate and enthusiastic toward student learning and demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence. We are seeking applications from candidates with expertise in sport marketing, sport finance, sport business, and related areas.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Earned doctorate in sport management or a related field at time of appointment
• Evidence of scholarly achievement/potential in area of expertise
• Scholarly publications in quality peer-reviewed journals
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• University teaching experience
• Demonstrated commitment to professional organizations
• Evidence of external funding

Application Instructions:

APPLICATION PROCESS: Review of applications will begin September 15, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Individuals interested in applying for this position should submit electronically at https://apply.interfolio.com/171495. Submission materials should include a letter of application, curriculum vita, research statement, teaching statement, and list of three references who can address the applicant’s scholarly and teaching capabilities with complete addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Questions can be directed to Search Committee Chair: James Bemiller, Chair of Sport Management Search Committee, Dept. of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, The University of Tennessee, 1914 Andy Holt Avenue, 340 HPER Bldg., Knoxville, TN 37996 or jimb@utk.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.