Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in hospitality management, sport management, or related field from an AACSB-accredited institution.
Proven track record in teaching, research, and engagement meeting USF's tenure standards at associate or full professor level.
Entrepreneurial leadership with a vision for academic innovation and strategic planning.
Strong understanding of the hospitality, tourism, sport, and entertainment industries with established contacts.
Demonstrated success in fundraising and cultivating major gifts and corporate partnerships.
Exceptional people-management skills with a focus on faculty and staff development.
Responsibilities
Serve as a visible ambassador, building relationships with industry leaders and stakeholders.
Prioritize fundraising and resource development to support the School's vision and initiatives.
Enhance experiential learning opportunities through partnerships and major events in the Tampa Bay area.
Position the School as a key talent partner for local industries, preparing students for leadership roles.
Innovate curriculum and research to align with emerging trends in technology and customer engagement.
Foster a collaborative environment that supports faculty excellence and student success.
Direct strategic planning and manage academic operations to maintain accreditation standards.
Benefits
Opportunities for professional development and networking within the industry.
Access to a vibrant academic community and resources at USF.
Engagement with a diverse student body and faculty.
Potential for impactful contributions to the local and global hospitality and sports sectors.
Full Job Description
Job Description
The University of South Florida seeks an entrepreneurial academic leader to serve as Director of the School of Hospitality and Sport Management at the Muma College of Business. Reporting to the Dean, the Director will lead the School's research, teaching, and outreach across USF's Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses and serve as a visible ambassador for the School in Tampa Bay and beyond.
Responsibilities
Lead externally. Serve as a highly visible ambassador who builds consequential relationships with hotel companies, professional sports franchises, venue operators, tourism organizations, developers, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, alumni, donors, and civic leaders.
Raise the resources. Make fundraising and resource development a central responsibility: articulate the School's vision, cultivate transformational gifts, secure corporate investment, and work closely with the Dean and advancement team on major fundraising initiatives.
Make Tampa Bay the classroom. Expand experiential learning through internships, residencies, executive-led courses, applied research, consulting projects, major-event experiences, and partnerships connected to the stadium, Uptown Landing, and the broader region.
Develop talent and the workforce. Make the School a preferred talent partner for the region's hospitality, tourism, sports, and entertainment industries while preparing students for national and global leadership roles.
Lead innovation. Keep the curriculum and research responsive to artificial intelligence, data analytics, customer experience, sports technology, revenue optimization, food innovation, and new models of fan and guest engagement, and foster entrepreneurship.
Champion teaching, research, and student success. Foster a collaborative environment within the School and across the College that supports faculty research, teaching excellence, strong advising, career outcomes, and alumni engagement.
Lead the academic enterprise. Direct strategic planning aligned with the College's ten-year plan; recruit, evaluate, develop, and expand the faculty and staff; manage the budget and course scheduling; unite the School's programs into a coherent portfolio; and sustain accreditation standards, including AACSB.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
A terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in hospitality management, sport management, or a related field, preferably from an AACSB-accredited institution or international equivalent.
Outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research, and engagement that meet USF standards for appointment with tenure at the associate or full professor level.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bold, entrepreneurial leadership with an appreciation for the nuances of guiding an academic enterprise; demonstrated vision, execution, and strategic planning, and the drive to build something new.
Ability to develop and lead strategic and tactical plans in collaboration with stakeholders.
A keen understanding of, and contacts within, the hospitality, tourism, sport, and entertainment industries.
A compelling fundraiser with a demonstrated ability to cultivate major gifts and corporate investment, and a record of building external partnerships.
Strong people-management skills, including the ability to recruit, retain, and develop outstanding faculty and staff, and evidence of sound financial and operational management.
An inclusive, collaborative, and persuasive communicator who can unite previously separate programs.
