Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication

Application Deadline:

Review of applications will begin on October 21, 2026.

Position Details:

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person.

The Department of Strategic Communication in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin in August 2027. We seek candidates whose research and teaching contribute to the field of strategic communication and expand the department’s strengths. The department has particular interest in candidates with qualitative approaches to strategic communication. We seek candidates whose research contributes to areas of disciplinary relevance and student demand, including: advertising and brand communication; sports communication; social and cultural implications of strategic communication; technology and society; digital, social, and emerging media.

Applicants must be able to teach a variety of introductory and upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in our program, including, for example; introductory advertising or public relations, creative strategy, management, research, global communication, law and/or ethics, campaigns, or other required courses. Candidates may have an interest in creating and teaching new electives. Successful candidates may also benefit from the Schieffer Media Insights Lab, which is the college’s social and digital media research and teaching facility, and have the opportunity to contribute to our college-level PhD in Media and Communication or our postbaccalaureate certificate program in digital and social media analysis.

Required qualifications:

Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., advertising, public relations, strategic communication, communication, marketing, consumer psychology) by the time of appointment;

Evidence of research productivity or a developing research agenda with potential for publication in high-impact scholarly outlets in the advertising, public relations, and/or strategic communication disciplines;

Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring;

Ability to contribute to a collaborative and collegial academic environment.

Preferred qualifications:

Expertise in strategic communication, including but not limited to brand communication, consumer culture, digital advertising, creative strategy, persuasion, and other related areas;

Expertise in qualitative research methodologies, such as in-depth interviewing, ethnography, discourse analysis, netnography, interpretive consumer research, critical-cultural approaches, or mixed-methods designs that incorporate qualitative inquiry;

Evidence of a research agenda with relevance to contemporary strategic communication issues affecting consumers, organizations, communities, or society;

Related professional experience and strong relationships with strategic communication industries are highly desirable.

We seek candidates who are committed to providing undergraduate and graduate students with an active, supportive learning environment, advancing knowledge through theoretically and practically significant scholarship, and contributing to the inclusive excellence of our university community.

The teaching load for tenure-stream faculty is 2-3 or 3-2, with course reductions offered in the first year and fourth year to support their progress toward tenure and promotion.

Department Details:

The Department of Strategic Communication is TCU's home for advertising, public relations, and new media. Through the theories, methods, and practices of strategic communication taught by highly regarded teachers, scholars, and professionals, students learn to create effective, innovative, and responsible stories about brands and organizations, solving real-world communication challenges. The Department of Strategic Communication is one of four departments in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication, housed in the Moudy South Building, and serves more than 400 majors. In addition to state-of-the-art facilities, which include writeable walls, updated classroom and computer technology, and adaptable furniture, the Department of Strategic Communication also has cutting-edge educational experiences from the student-run strategic communication agency, Roxo, to the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) and guided internships.

School/College Description:

In 2023, the Schieffer College celebrated the 10th anniversary of its naming for TCU alumnus and longtime CBS network TV correspondent Bob Schieffer. The college is the academic home for four departments: Communication Studies; Film, Television, and Digital Media; Journalism; and Strategic Communication. Some 1,150 undergraduate student majors complete coursework in areas that include: Advertising and Public Relations; Cinema and Media Studies; Digital and Social Media; Health Communication and Media; Interpersonal and Organizational Communication; Journalism and News Media Studies; and Sports Broadcasting. About 30 graduate students pursue master’s degrees in Communication Studies or Strategic Communication, and some 60 full-time and 15 part-time faculty teach in the college. The college’s award-winning student experiential learning activities include print, video, and digital news media, a speech and debate team, an advertising and public relations agency, a radio station, and sports broadcasting productions. The college also offers a number of off-campus study options to students.

University & Fort Worth Description:

About TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University is a world-class, private, Carnegie-classified national research university located in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by its mission and core values of integrity, engagement, community, and excellence, TCU consistently ranks among the top universities and colleges in the United States.

TCU’s campus — regularly ranked among the nation’s most beautiful — spans 302 acres in a primarily residential area just minutes from downtown.

The university comprises nine schools and colleges offering 117 areas of undergraduate study, 62 master’s level programs, and 37 areas of doctoral study. TCU is a leader across several disciplines, including health care, business, energy, and the arts. Total enrollment stands at 12,980, including 11,152 undergraduates and 1,828 graduate students. Students are supported by over 2,200 faculty and staff, including more than 700 full-time faculty members.

About Fort Worth

Fort Worth blends the approachable charm of a smaller city with the amenities, cultural energy, and distinctive personality of a major metro. As the nation’s 11th-largest city, with a rapidly growing population of more than 1 million, Fort Worth and TCU share a relationship that spans more than a century — one that continues to deepen as many Horned Frogs choose to stay after graduation, drawn by the region’s thriving job market. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area — the nation’s fourth-largest and a top tourism destination — Fort Worth earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report in 2025 as the No. 4 best big city to live in the United States.

Fort Worth offers an impressive array of cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities, anchored by three world-class art museums — the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall stands as one of the premier performance venues in the country. Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike enjoy concerts, film festivals, and other cultural events at Sundance Square, Dickies Arena, Panther Island, and Near Southside venues.

Required Application Materials & Application Instructions:

Applications must include a cover letter that addresses the position requirements, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and a list of three academic references with current contact information included. Applications must be submitted electronically through the TCU HR system.

Letters of recommendation will be requested from your three references at a later stage in the process. Your references will receive an email from TCU asking them to upload their LOR on your behalf.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.