About Auburn: At Auburn, our work changes lives. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a premier public institution, Auburn University is dedicated to shaping the future of the people of Alabama, the nation, and the world through forward-thinking education, life-enhancing research, scholarship, and selfless service. Auburn is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, community outreach, a positive work environment, student engagement, and a thriving community.
Chartered in 1856, Auburn University holds a Carnegie classification of Research 1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production. The university also holds the Elective Classification for Community Engagement. Academic programs at Auburn enroll approximately 28,000 undergraduate students and 6,200 graduate and professional students students. Detailed information about the university can be found by visiting
https://auburn.edu/.
Why employees choose Auburn: Auburn University was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the state of Alabama’s best employers, with employees staying an average of ten years. Employees enjoy competitive benefits that include top-notch health insurance, generous retirement plans, tuition assistance for employees and dependents, flexible spending accounts, and more.
POSITION: School Director and Professor. This is a 12-month tenure-track position in the School of Kinesiology beginning summer 2026. This faculty member will be hired to serve as the unit leader for the School of Kinesiology, which works to improve the health of society through research, outreach, and teaching. The school offers BS and MS degrees in Exercise Science and Exercise, Performance & Health Optimization and a PhD in Kinesiology. It also houses a Physical Activity and Wellness Program and a Doctor of Physical Therapy program that launched its first cohort in the summer of 2025. The school emphasizes research productivity, academic excellence, hands-on learning, and superior mentorship of students at all degree levels.
The School of Kinesiology includes 26 full-time faculty members and nine full-time staff members (including four academic advisors, a coordinator of the physical activity program, and a marketing and communications director). As of Fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment was 750 and graduate enrollment was 86 (including 40 doctoral students). Research interests of faculty members include various aspects of biomechanics, exercise physiology, neuroscience, psychology, rehabilitation, and human performance. The School is housed in the College of Education, which includes three other academic units and boasts an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,600 and a graduate enrollment of approximately 850 (as of Fall 2024).
The university’s commitment to excellence is outlined in the Auburn University Strategic Plan 2035: Grounded & Groundbreaking (
https://ocm.auburn.edu/strategic_plan/). Review of applications will begin October 13, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide visionary and collaborative leadership for all aspects of the school, including but not limited to:
- Academic and administrative management
- Faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation
- Oversight and facilitation of curricular development, review, and revision
- A culture of excellence in teaching, research, and outreach
- Advocacy for stakeholders both inside and outside the university
- A positive and collaborative work environment
- Strategic engagement in revenue generation
- Contribute effectively to college-level leadership groups and functions
