Assistant Professor in Sport Leadership, Regular Title Series
- Lexington, KY
- Permanent
- Full-time
Required Related Experiencen/a
Required License/Registration/Certificationn/a
Job SummaryThe Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a Regular Title, tenure-eligible Assistant Professor position, with a focus in Sport Leadership. This will be a nine-month appointment effective August 15, 2026.The successful candidate will possess an earned doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in Sport Leadership/Management/Administration, or a very closely related field. We seek candidates who maintain a well-defined research agenda and demonstrate the ability to conduct (and publish) research aimed at peer-reviewed sport management journals and/or related fields. Applicants should also possess a track record of (or show a capability of) delivering engaging and effective classroom experiences for students. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and/or graduate-level courses in various areas of sport leadership and management. We are particularly interested in candidates who possess the ability to teach existing research methods courses and develop new courses related to analytics. Other potential courses include Sport Facility and Event Management, Sport Leadership & Ethics, Risk Management and Legal Issues in Sport, and Sales, Sponsorship, and Fundraising in Sport.This position is in the Regular Title Series faculty category, which typically requires the faculty member to teach a 2/2 load (12 credit hours per year) over the fall and spring semesters. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to provide service to the university and the field. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to serve on graduate student thesis and exam committees.Department of Kinesiology and Health PromotionThe Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion (KHP), housed in the College of Education, comprises 26 full-time faculty members and offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in the academic areas of exercise science, physical education, health promotion, and sport leadership. KHP serves as the educational focus for more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, including the B.A.E. in Sport Leadership, M.S. specialization in Sport Leadership, and a graduate certificate in Sport, Fitness, and Recreation Management.Future of Sport Institute (FoSI)Housed within KHP, the Future of Sport Institute (FoSI) exists to reimagine the future of sport, accelerating innovation that transforms how sport is played, experienced, and led. The Institute aims to solve real-world challenges across the sports ecosystem by uniting academic rigor, insights from athletes and fans, creativity, and cross-sector collaboration. The incoming faculty member will have the opportunity to contribute to FoSI's mission.ApplicationsInterested applicants should submit a UK Online Application at . Applicants should include:
- A detailed cover letter noting academic credentials and professional experiences related to the responsibilities for this position;
- a curriculum vita (upload under Curriculum Vita);
- copies of student evaluations of the candidate's teaching, if applicable (upload under Specific Request 1);
- a combined research, teaching, and service statement that does not exceed 3 pages (upload under Specific Request 2);
- detailed contact information for three or more professional references that can speak to the applicant's qualifications (upload under Specific Request 3). References will be contacted for finalists.
- Transcripts will be required of all finalists for the position.
Skills / Knowledge / AbilitiesThe successful candidate will possess an earned Ph.D. in Sport Management, Sport Leadership, or a very closely related field, by the start date in August 2026. Applicants who have a robust research agenda and demonstrated successful teaching experience at the university undergraduate and graduate level will be looked upon favorably.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/ExperienceSuccessful teaching experience at the university graduate level, for example:
- demonstrated effectiveness in designing and delivering undergraduate and graduate-level courses in sport leadership or management
- strong student evaluations
- supervision of research or applied projects
- incorporation of industry-relevant practices or case studies