The Brandcenter, within the VCU School of Business, seeks a dynamic, experienced professional to join our faculty as a Professor of Strategy (Instructional Practitioner, Term Professor) position to begin August of 2025 that will support both the teaching and recruiting mission of the department. This position is a 9-month, contract-based instructional position. This position will report to the Brandcenter’s Executive Director.
The Brandcenter, a two-year, full-time master’s program focused on developing the best creative problem-solvers in the world of brands. At the Brandcenter, students interested in top careers in art direction, copywriting, communication strategy, brand management and experience design are given an overview of the industry and current issues, as well as experience developing advertising campaigns, branding projects, and using communications or technology to solve real-world business problems.
This role involves teaching and mentoring students in the Strategy concentration, contributing to curriculum development, and engaging in collaborative projects that bridge academia and industry. The successful candidate will guide students in developing strategic, research-driven solutions to real-world business challenges, encouraging them to think beyond conventional approaches and create meaningful connections between brands and consumers.
We are looking for a candidate with a profound understanding of brand strategy, consumer insights, and the evolving landscape of advertising and marketing. This individual will play a key role in preparing our students to excel in the field and make impactful contributions to the industry.
The ideal candidate will have a strong grasp of strategy, concept development, and execution and be able to teach these and other essential skills to students. They will prepare students for careers that demand impactful ideas that resonate across various disciplines. This professor must be adept at translating their expertise into engaging classes that guide students from aspiring strategists to standout professionals in a competitive field.
In addition to teaching, Brandcenter faculty are expected to be actively involved in activities that enhance the program. Responsibilities include recruiting, mentoring, attending student events, leading student groups, hosting workshops, developing courses and curriculum, and representing the program at conferences and meetings.
Responsibilities: Responsibilities include teaching courses in Strategy at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Candidates must have an advanced degree or training and work experience at a level that equates to an advanced degree. Candidates must demonstrate an outstanding record of advertising/creative agency experience with recognition/awards for their work. Experience teaching at the college-level is preferred.
- Admissions Support and Student Selection: Responsible for providing recruitment support in coordination with the Admissions team. This includes participating in the review and selection of prospective students to help ensure a diverse and talented student body as well as campus tours, presentations, etc.
- Teaching and Classroom Engagement: Responsible for teaching 3-4 courses per semester to graduate- and undergraduate-level students.This professor will design and lead graduate-level strategic thinking, consumer insights, and brand positioning courses. These courses should encourage critical thinking and creativity, incorporating interactive case studies, industry-relevant projects, and data-driven analysis to bring strategy to life for students.
- Mentoring Future Strategists: In addition to classroom instruction, the professor will mentor students on their individual projects, offering guidance on internships, career aspirations, and networking strategies. This includes one-on-one mentorship and providing feedback that helps students refine their ideas and build a portfolio that aligns with industry standards. This can include cross-over mentorship to CBMs as well .
- Curriculum Development and Innovation: This role involves collaborating with other faculty to refine and expand the Strategy curriculum to stay ahead of industry shifts. Whether through introducing new tools, such as data analytics platforms, or exploring areas like sustainability, consumer psychology, or cultural insights, the professor will play a vital role in ensuring the Brandcenter remains at the forefront of strategic education.
- Building Industry Connections: Brandcenter prides itself on its connection to the industry. The professor will facilitate relationships with agencies, brands, and industry professionals to bring real-world projects and guest speakers into the classroom. This hands-on approach helps students understand the nuances of brand strategy and prepares them to thrive in various professional roles.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strategy intersects with many fields, and the professor will work with faculty in Art Direction, Copywriting, Creative Brand Management, and Experience Design to foster an interdisciplinary approach to projects. This collaboration helps students understand the role of strategy within a broader creative ecosystem.
- Faculty Participation and Service: The Professor of Strategy will actively contribute to the Brandcenter community by attending all faculty meetings and serving on departmental committees. This involvement is essential in shaping departmental policies, supporting program initiatives, and fostering a collaborative faculty environment that enhances the Brandcenter's mission and goals.
- Other Dutie s: Work on special projects and initiatives as needed to support the Brandcenter
The successful candidate will not only bring expertise in brand strategy and marketing but will also be passionate about shaping the next generation of creative problem-solvers who understand how to leverage insights and trends to create brand strategies that resonate with audiences across channels. This is an exciting opportunity to impact the industry by cultivating diverse, innovative talent.
Required Qualifications:
- Candidates must have a Terminal degree relevant to this position or its equivalent in English, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, or training and work experience at a level that equates to an advanced degree.
- Candidates must be able to teach all courses in person, and be responsive to and engaged with Brandcenter faculty, staff, and students.
- Candidates must demonstrate an outstanding record of advertising/creative agency supervision with 7+ years’ experience. Candidates must have experience through all stages of a campaign or project, such as creative strategy, concept development, execution, and presentation.
- Candidates must have a strong grasp on and experience developing strategies for a wide range of media, platforms, and clients.
- Because the Brandcenter team is a collaborative organization, candidates must be self-motivated and work well with teams.
- Candidates must have demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications:
- The position requires a candidate with patience, understanding, and an ability to motivate students to a higher level of work. It also requires the ability to teach students how to think creatively and strategically and take that thinking into well-crafted concepts and into creative execution.
- Preferred candidates will have industry recognized awards and accolades.
Application Process: Candidates should upload their application with a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, a link to or attach your portfolio as a part of your application, and the names and e-mail addresses of four references. Reference letters will be requested by the search committee only for the short-listed candidates. Only complete applications that meet the required qualifications will be considered. Review of applications will start immediately, and will continue until filled.
For additional information, please contact the chair of the search committee, Ashley Sommardahl, asommardahl@vcu.edu
Additional Information:
All full-time university faculty are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid leave and holiday leave, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, generous tuition benefit, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here .
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.
