Faculty Opportunity: Assistant/Associate Professor in Public Relations and Entrepreneurship – The University of Alabama

Faculty Opportunity: Assistant/Associate Professor in Public Relations and Entrepreneurship – The University of Alabama

• Institution: The University of Alabama

• College: College of Communication & Information Sciences

• Department: Advertising and Public Relations

• Position: Assistant/Associate Professor in Public Relations and Entrepreneurship

• Job ID: 530881

• Appointment Type: Renewable Contract, Non-Tenure-Track

• Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

• Expected Start Date: August 2027

• Teaching Load: 4 courses each Fall and Spring semester

• Salary / Remuneration: Not specified in the source

• Full Consideration Date: November 30, 2026

• Application Deadline: December 15, 2026 at 10:55 PM CST

Overview of the Role

The Department of Advertising and Public Relations at The University of Alabama invites applications for a renewable-contract Assistant or Associate Professor position in Public Relations and Entrepreneurship.

The position supports a new initiative designed to strengthen entrepreneurial activity among students and industry partners.

The successful candidate will bring substantial professional Public Relations expertise together with experience supporting startups, emerging ventures, entrepreneurs, agencies, or other entrepreneurial organisations.

Teaching Areas

Depending on experience and academic background, the successful candidate may teach courses such as:

• APR 241 – Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations

• APR 280 – Audience Analysis

• APR 290 – Channels and Messaging

• APR 303 – Public Relations Strategy

• APR 332 – Public Relations Writing

• APR 423 – Advertising and Public Relations Management

• APR 427 – Public Relations Leadership

• APR 433 – Public Relations Campaigns

• APR 451 – Business for Strategic Communicators

• APR 452 – Ethics and Professionalism

The faculty member may also teach Master's and doctoral courses depending on academic qualifications.

Entrepreneurship Focus

Relevant entrepreneurial communications experience may include:

• Working for a startup or emerging venture.

• Managing communications in a high-growth or scale-up company.

• Serving startup or entrepreneurial clients through an agency or consultancy.

• Founding or helping build a PR agency or independent consultancy.

• Advising founders, franchisees, family businesses, or small-business owners.

• Developing launch and go-to-market communications.

• Supporting incubators, accelerators, or university entrepreneurship programmes.

• Supporting nonprofit organisations or social enterprises.

• Developing new agency practices or communications ventures.

• Managing investor or funding communications.

• Crowdfunding and pitch development.

• Investor relations for early-stage ventures.

• M&A or exit communications.

These examples are illustrative rather than exhaustive.

Curriculum Development

The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop new courses connecting Public Relations and Entrepreneurship, potentially covering:

• Communications for emerging ventures.

• PR strategies for organisational growth.

• Launch and market-entry communication.

• Entrepreneurial agency development.

• Independent consulting practices.

• Communications strategy for startups.

• Reputation and stakeholder management.

• Entrepreneurial communications leadership.

Additional Responsibilities

The faculty member will also be expected to:

• Work closely with student groups such as the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

• Develop partnerships with the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute.

• Collaborate with The EDGE and other entrepreneurship programmes.

• Contribute actively to a highly collaborative faculty environment.

• Support student professional development.

• Bring current professional practices into the classroom.

• Help students build practical entrepreneurial communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications – Assistant Professor

Applicants seeking appointment at the Assistant Professor level must have:

• A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in Public Relations or a related field.

• At least 3 years of professional experience in Public Relations or a related area.

• At least 1 year of experience involving entrepreneurial communications activities.

• Proficiency in AP style.

Previous teaching experience is not required.

Minimum Qualifications – Associate Professor

Applicants seeking appointment at the Associate Professor level must have:

• A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in Public Relations or a related field.

• At least 10 years of professional experience in Public Relations or a related field.

• At least 3 years of entrepreneurial communications experience.

• Proficiency in AP style.

Previous teaching experience is not required.

Preferred Qualifications

For either rank, preferred qualifications include:

• 5 or more years of Public Relations experience in senior or leadership roles.

• 3 or more years of leadership-level entrepreneurial communications experience.

• College-level teaching experience.

• Experience leading professional training or workshops.

• Experience with experiential teaching methods.

• Client-based projects.

• Design thinking.

• Venture simulations.

• Pitch development.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Experience using AI to assist with or create Public Relations communications.

Application Checklist

Applicants must submit:

1. Cover Letter

   • Highlighting overall fit for the position

2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

3. Representative Clients, Employers, and Industries

   • With a brief description of relevant entrepreneurial communications achievements or responsibilities

4. Names and Contact Information for 3 References

Important Dates

• Full Consideration Date: November 30, 2026

• Final Application Deadline: December 15, 2026 at 10:55 PM CST

• Expected Start Date: August 2027

Applications submitted by November 30, 2026 will receive full consideration.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through The University of Alabama employment portal.

Job ID: 530881

Search for:

CCIS – Assistant/Associate Professor, Renewable Contract, Public Relations and Entrepreneurship, Advertising and Public Relations

For questions regarding the search:

Search Chair: Jay Waters
Email: ghwaters1@ua.edu

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