Assistant Professor of Sport and Recreation Management

Working Title: Assistant Professor of Sport and Recreation Management

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Business

Department: 100624 - Hospitality, Sport and Rec Management

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:  

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 10/17/2026

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Hart School of Hospitality, Sport, & Recreation Management at James Madison University is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position in Sport & Recreation Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, set to begin in Fall 2027.

The Hart School is an affiliate academic unit in the College of Business. The Hart School serves approximately 1,000 students in both Sport & Recreation Management and Hospitality Management along with a Sport & Recreation Leadership program with more than 40 students at the Master’s level. Our mission is to engage in transformational education through innovative teaching, scholarship, and service.

Duties and Responsibilities:

We are seeking an innovative and collaborative faculty member for teaching undergraduate courses in Sport & Recreation Management and possibly graduate courses in Sport & Recreation Leadership (3/3 teaching load). Applicants should have the ability to teach the following courses: Foundations of Leadership in SRM, SRM Seminar, Introduction to SRM, Management in Sport & Recreation, Sport Marketing & Sales, and Facilities & Event Management. The applicant must be able to show evidence of a clear research agenda, the ability to work independently on research, and a willingness to engage in collaborative scholarship with faculty and students across disciplines. The applicant should also be prepared to engage in service to the university, community, department, and profession.

Qualifications:

The applicant must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in sport management or a closely related field. The degree must be conferred (on transcript) by 8/10/2027 (contract start date). Strong ABD candidates will be considered only under the condition the Ph.D. can be conferred by 8/10/2027. The applicant must demonstrate strong commitment to teaching as well as evidence of successful publications or a 3-5-year plan for an active scholarship agenda. It is preferred that the applicant has previous experience working within professional sport and/or intercollegiate athletics.

Additional Posting Information:

All applicants must apply for this position using JMU’s online job application system. Applicants will complete the application and provide the following:
• Cover letter articulating interest and qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Scholarship Philosophy and Research Agenda (Other Document #1)
• Documentation related to teaching effectiveness (Course Evaluations)
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Contact information for three references

Questions about this position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Ben Carr at carrbh@jmu.edu. Please DO NOT send “paper” application packets or supplemental materials; all application materials must be submitted online.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.