"Assistant Professor of Practice, Digital Advertising"

Assistant Professor of Practice, Digital Advertising

Northern Arizona University

Special Information

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is posted as Asst Professor of Practice: Digital Advertising, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Assistant Professor of Practice.

About the Department/College

The School of Communication at Northern Arizona University offers a comprehensive Strategic Communication program that prepares students for careers in advertising, public relations, and integrated marketing communication. The program emphasizes ethical, audience-centered messaging and strategic planning across traditional and digital platforms. Students gain hands-on experience through state-of-the-art facilities such as the Media Innovation Center and VisualDESIGNlab, as well as opportunities to work with real clients and student-run media outlets. With a curriculum that blends theory and practice, graduates are equipped with the skills needed to excel in campaign development, social media strategy, and brand communication for agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and government organizations.

About the Position

The School of Communication at Northern Arizona University invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice in Strategic Communication: Digital Advertising to begin August 2026.

The ideal candidate will help us prepare students for careers in Strategic Communication, with a special focus on paid media communication strategies. These strategies would include some of the following: traditional media planning, paid search advertising, media selection for online display ad networks, social media advertising and sponsored media relationships with digital media influencers. Successful candidates will have experience working with brands to prepare targeted communication plans, and strategies for effectively monitoring and reporting on the success of those plans.

Candidates should have experience in digital advertising and strategic communication that includes one or more of these areas: Buying and planning for both traditional and digital media, experience with programmatic advertising (e.g., display, video, native, connected TV) using platforms such as Google Ads and Meta's Ad Manager, knowledge of SEO, digital analytics, and artificial intelligence.

Candidates should have more than two years of professional experience in an advertising environment that includes focus on digital communication and a master's degree, or more than ten years of professional experience in an advertising environment that includes focus on digital communication and a bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities Include

80% - Teaching:

This new faculty member will teach and refine courses at the undergraduate level related to advertising, including:

• STR 207 Introduction to Advertising
• STR 307 Creative Fundamentals
• STR 373 New Media Engagement
• ADV 309 Advanced Advertising Development
• ADV 310 Advertising Media Selection
• ADV 311 W Creative Advertising Strategies
• ADV 411C Advertising Campaigns

20% - Service:

• Service to the school, college and university.

Minimum Qualifications

• More than two years of professional experience in an advertising environment that includes focus on digital communication and a master's degree, or more than ten years of professional experience in an advertising environment that includes focus on digital communication
• Bachelor's degree.
• College-level instructional experience (including teaching, course design, training and/or teaching assistant).

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.*

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and success in fostering and creating a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning and working environment.
• Experience in direct client interface including account/client presentations.
• Experience working on a significant marketing communication campaign that includes coordinating with multiple business functions that could include creative departments, media planning, and/or campaign assessment.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and student-related responsibilities or evidence of potential teaching effectiveness, which could be indicated by sample syllabi, peer reviews, teaching demonstrations, awards, mentoring experience etc.
• Experience in digital advertising and strategic communication that includes one or more of these areas: Buying and planning for both traditional and digital media, experience with programmatic advertising (e.g., display, video, native, connected TV) using platforms such as Google Ads and Meta's Ad Manager, knowledge of SEO, digital analytics, and artificial intelligence.
• Experience with campaigns focused on specialized or niche audiences.
• A history of support for student organizations within Strategic Communication, such as Ad Club and Public Relations Student Society of America. This could include advising their activities, preparing for competitions, fostering student participation in club activities, participating in student development events such as guest speakers, agency tours, job fairs, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the needs related to public education.
• Knowledge of learning management system.
• Knowledge of instructional design, effective pedagogy, team teaching, and innovative learning methodologies.
• Knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning in traditional and hybrid classroom environments.
• Knowledge of online course development and delivery.
• Knowledge of current trends in higher education and demographic trends.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, budget development, fiscal planning, and management techniques.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory and leadership practices.

Skills

• Program development skills.
• Effective leadership and active listening skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Abilities

• Communicates effectively.
• Develops and maintains good working relationships.
• Facilitates learning in multiple modalities.
• Offers content courses to augment department curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Teaches a wide variety of courses.
• Advocates for faculty, staff, and students in the department.
• Recruits, advises, and mentors undergraduate or graduate students.
• Teaches and works effectively with members at all levels of the University.
• Teaches in specialized areas such as advertising, including: Introduction to Advertising, Creative Fundamentals, New Media Engagement, Advanced Advertising Development, Advertising Media Selection, Creative Advertising Strategies, and Advertising Campaigns.
• Engages with and leads collaborative multi- and inter-disciplinary teams.
• Works in a collaborative environment with faculty, staff, and students.
• Organizes and coordinates others in developing, implementing, and evaluating short- and long-term goals, standards, curriculum, and programs.

Compensation

Budgeted salary is $60,000. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page.

Application must include (saved as PDF and/or Word documents):

1. a cover letter highlighting your particular qualifications for this position;
2. a curriculum vitae; and
3. names and contact information for three references.

Please do not include any other documents as they will not be considered.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.