"Assistant Professor, Sports Management"

Position Overview

The Eugene S. Pulliam School of Journalism and Creative Media in the College of Communication at Butler University invites applications for a nine-month tenure-track assistant professor in Sports Management with an expected start date of August 2026. The successful candidate will teach in our new master’s degree program in Sports Management, while also contributing to our in-person undergraduate curriculum through teaching within another area offered in the College of Communication. The candidate will bring broad knowledge in the field of Sports Management and will be able to teach several courses within the Sports Management program, including Foundations of Sports Management and the Capstone Experience. Additional courses may include Ethics and Law in Sports Management, Sports Marketing, Fundraising and Revenue Generation Strategies, Event and Facilities Management, and Amateur Sports and Compliance. The teaching load for this position is 3/3 along with research and service responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• A terminal degree (e.g., a Ph.D. or J.D.) in Sports Management, Sports Administration, or a related field
• Potential for successful teaching of online graduate courses in Sports Management;
• Potential for successfully conducting scholarly work in the area of sports management
• Excellent written communication skills; and
• Expressed desire to provide equal opportunity for success to all students

Preferred Qualifications

While not everyone may meet all preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Successful experience in one or more of the following:
  • working collaboratively with others (e.g., committee service, co-teaching)
  • working independently (e.g., scholarship, course development)
  • teaching and working with individuals from various backgrounds
• Teaching sports management or sports administration courses
• Research/creative agenda that will contribute to equal opportunity in higher education
• Professional experience in one or more areas of sports management (e.g., sports marketing, fundraising, events management, or compliance);
• Experience connecting and collaborating with sports management professionals on the local, regional, and/or national levels;
• Record of scholarly publication in sports management or sports administration
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Effective oral communication skills
• Effective classroom management skills

To apply, candidates must submit:

1. A letter of application outlining qualifications, a teaching philosophy, and experience with/commitment to providing equal opportunity for all students
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Current teaching evaluations (if available)
4. A description of your research agenda
5. Contact information for three references

To be considered, apply directly to the posting on Butler University’s career site at https://www.butler.edu/human-resources/work-at-butler/. Questions can be addressed to Dr. Margaretha Geertsema-Sligh, Chair of the Sports Management Search Committee, at mgeertse@butler.edu.

Review of applications will begin December 5, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Consideration will be given only to complete applications.

About the University and the College of Communication:

Butler University is a comprehensive, liberal-arts-based, private university located in the vibrant and culturally diverse city of Indianapolis and is committed to undergraduate teaching excellence. Butler University’s Sports Management program and the new Butler Institute for Sports & Entertainment (BISE) reflect the University’s institutional priorities, positioning it as an essential player in shaping the future of global sports and entertainment. BISE is a new initiative which connects students, faculty, and staff at Butler with major sporting events, sports-related industry partners, and government entities to provide experience and support for events such as March Madness, the WNBA and NBA All-Star Games, LIV Golf, and many others.

The university enrolls approximately 5,000 students across its six colleges, including the College of Communication. The College enrolls approximately 550 students across its 8 majors and online graduate program. Butler offers generous financial support for research, innovations in curricular development, and travel to present for domestic and international conferences. Additional information about the University and the College can be found at www.butler.edu.

Butler University is a private, nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing seven colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy & Health Sciences and Founder's College. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students are enrolled at Butler, representing 46 states and 24 countries.

Join us at the crossroads of tradition & transformation. A career at Butler University offers more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to join a dedicated, innovative, and supportive community grounded in equity, academic excellence, and meaningful impact. Aligned with Boldly Butler, our strategic plan, faculty and staff play a vital role in delivering transformational learning experiences, enriching our campus and community, and ensuring a thriving Butler for generations to come.

Butler University is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, color, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected category.