Job Summary

Position Title: Assistant or Associate Professor, Media and Communication
College: College of Business and Technology
Department: Media and Communication
Programs: Media and Communication (BA/BS) and Brand and Media Strategy (MA)
Appointment: Full-time, 9-month, tenure-track (3/3 teaching load)
Start Date: August 2026

The Department of Media and Communication in the College of Business and Technology at East Tennessee State University seeks an Assistant or Associate Professor in Media and Communication with expertise in brand communication and audience analytics to support both undergraduate and graduate programs. This position supports instructional and research needs and is essential to maintaining graduate faculty capacity and instructional continuity in Brand and Media Strategy.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in media strategy, brand insight and analytics, and crisis communication; maintain an active research agenda; supervise graduate theses; and contribute to experiential learning initiatives, including community-engaged courses and the National Student Advertising Competition.

Research

• Maintain an active and productive research agenda in brand communication, audience analytics, media and marketing analytics, or strategic communication
• Publish in peer-reviewed academic journals and professional outlets
• Contribute to scholarly collaboration within the department and college
• Support the research mission of the Brand and Media Strategy graduate program
• Pursue external funding and applied research opportunities when appropriate

Service

• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees
• Participate in graduate faculty responsibilities and tenure and promotion processes
• Support student recruitment and retention initiatives
• Contribute to curriculum development and program assessment
• Build partnerships with business, nonprofit, and community organizations
• Support experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration across the college

Teaching (3/3 Load)

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in:
• Media Strategy (MCOM 3270)
• Brand Insight and Analytics (PUBR 5325)
• Crisis Communication (PUBR 3800)
• Audience and Media Analytics
• Strategic Communication and related areas
• Teach both undergraduate and graduate students in the Media and Communication BA/BS and Brand and Media Strategy MA
• Chair graduate theses and participate in graduate culminating experiences
• Support community-engaged learning in Brand Insight and Analytics
• Participate in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) team
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in media strategy, audience analytics, brand insight and analytics, crisis communication, media theory, and related areas.
• Ability to supervise graduate students, including mentoring and guiding theses or other culminating experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to service and shared governance, including committee work, graduate faculty participation, or program development.
• Ability to collaborate with industry and community partners to support experiential learning and applied research initiatives, as evidenced by partnerships, client-based projects, or applied research activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to student mentorship and graduate education, as evidenced by advising, supervision, or mentorship activities.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Media and Communication, or a closely related field, completed by the time of appointment.
• Evidence of an independent and productive research agenda:
  • Assistant Professor: documented research pipeline (e.g., dissertation, works in progress, conference presentations, or submitted manuscripts).
  • Associate Professor: established record of peer-reviewed publications, external funding, or demonstrated scholarly impact.
• Documented teaching experience, including undergraduate and/or graduate instruction

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Professor rank with graduate faculty experience
• Experience chairing master’s theses
• Strong publication record in brand communication or media analytics
• Experience with community-engaged or applied research
• Industry experience in brand strategy, media analytics, or strategic communication
• Experience working with student competition teams such as NSA

Compensation & Benefits

• Job Family – Academic Faculty 6
• Compensation – Commensurate with experience and education
• For information on benefits please visit www.etsu.edu/human-resources/benefits/

Application Instructions

• Exempt positions are only required to be posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. The closing date for this posting is subject to change without notice to applicants.
• Please attach the following documents:
  • CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Transcripts
  • Three (3) or more professional references

ETSU is an equal opportunity employer.

University Overview

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an institution with over 14,000 diverse students highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, ETSU serves as a hub for community, discovery, and service. Aligned with the institution's mission, we value efforts to engage in teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and service that involve community partners and address significant societal needs in our region and beyond. Recognized in 2024 as a Great College to Work For, recent strategic initiatives prioritize the institution’s focus on community engagement.

Disclaimer: The Job Summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work individuals perform in this classification. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require different tasks to be performed as assigned to reflect changes in the position. Employees must be able to perform the position's essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.