Director & Professor of Advertising & Public Relations

The Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for the position of tenured full professor and Director of the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations . The Director will hold the Isabella Cunningham Endowed Chair, named in honor of the former longtime department chair.

The Director will be responsible for advancing the School's mission and vision and providing intellectual leadership for its highly-ranked and well-regarded advertising and public relations programs. Engaging faculty, students, alumni, and the industry, the Director will ensure that the School remains known for its distinctive mix of programs, respected for the excellence of its curriculum, and strengthened by its ongoing commitments both to theory and practice and to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In 2021, the School was ranked #1 in the nation for Advertising & Public Relations by College Factual . It was also ranked #1 in 2016 by Campus Explorer , which cited its dedicated advertising program, unlike other universities that place advertising under the umbrella of marketing and communication. Campus Explorer also recognized the size and resources of the School, noting that it offers one of the few Ph.D. advertising programs available worldwide. The School's 23 faculty members also support bachelor's degree programs in both advertising and public relations as well as a master's degree in advertising.

The School is one of five highly-ranked schools and departments within the comprehensive Moody College of Communication , the others being Journalism, Radio-Television-Film, Communication Studies, and Communication Science and Disorders.

Requirements for this position include a Ph.D. or equivalent in advertising, public relations, marketing, strategic communication, mass communication, or a related field of communication, as well as an outstanding reputation and academic professional achievements commensurate with appointment as a full Professor with tenure at UT Austin. The successful applicant is expected to have proven leadership abilities, administrative skills, and experience in fostering collaboration and building consensus amongst colleagues. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate specific accomplishments in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organizations and/or professions.

The Moody College of Communication has engaged Opus Partners to support the recruitment of the Director. Candidates are invited to email a PDF containing a brief letter describing their interest/qualifications and their curriculum vitae/resume to marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net . Nominations, recommendations, expressions of interest, and inquiries should be sent to the same address. In the cover letter or in a separate statement, applicants should address their commitment to inclusivity and support for diverse populations, along with information on their past contributions and future plans in these areas. Application review and interviews will begin after Feb 1, 2021 and will continue until an appointment is made. UT policy requires that a background check be conducted on the selected candidate. All possible discretion will be exercised to maintain the confidentiality of candidates through the search process.

The Moody College of Communication is committed to achieving diversity in its faculty, students, and curriculum, and it strongly encourages applicants who can help achieve these objectives.

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. This institution does not offer benefits to domestic partners. This institution offers benefits to spouses (including a common-law spouse with whom you've filed a Declaration of Informal Marriage).