Executive Director of Esports

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
076907

Job Title
Executive Director of Esports

Location
Syracuse, NY

Pay Range
Commensurate with Experience

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

As determined by Dean

Job Type
Full-time

Rank

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

Syracuse University seeks an Executive Director for its new Esports Communications and Management undergraduate degree program, jointly housed in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. The new program represents a unique opportunity to leverage excellent existing programs in both the Newhouse School and Falk College (in broadcasting, digital journalism, and sport management to name a few) to build a vibrant and forward-focused curriculum in this emerging arena. Esports majors will take sports-related courses (required and elective) and participate in internships and practicums and, as appropriate, integrate with a University Living and Learning Community ( LLC ). Students will complete coursework in both the Newhouse and Falk programs.

This faculty position will have oversight of all Esports academic programming and an Esports living-learning community. Appointment may be as a tenured associate or full professor or as Professor of Practice, depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. If appointed as a Professor of Practice, the initial appointment is for three years and is renewable following the guidelines of the home school or college.

The executive director additionally is expected to provide visionary leadership and engage in budget management, fundraising, and promoting Esports throughout the University and local, regional, national, and international communities. As the program evolves, this may include the creation of nationally competitive student-athlete teams. The position will begin July 2023.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with at least three years of collegiate Esports leadership background and teaching experience is required. A terminal degree (for example, Ph.D., Ed.D., M.F.A., MBA ) is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in college teaching is required.

Job Specific Qualifications

This position seeks a person with a diversified academic and Esports background. The successful candidate must have a strong professional network in the Esports field. The ability to advise, teach and mentor college students is also essential. Additional qualifications include:

• Curriculum Development – experience with and working knowledge of curriculum development in higher education.
• Knowledge of Competitive and Compliance Rules – Candidate shall have a strong working knowledge and understanding of all scholastic Esports governing bodies, tournaments/leagues, publisher-specific rules, and all regulations regarding compliance.
• Esports Experience – Extensive knowledge of scholastic Esports landscape, including all aspects of program management (event management, broadcast production, streaming, content creation, tournament organizing, etc.)
• Recruiting – Demonstrated ability to evaluate and acquire talent for potential growth and development of students.
• Academic Advising – Ability to establish and monitor an academic system that ensures academic success for students and student-athletes.
• Budget Management – Must be able to develop, set, and work within the budget framework given to the department.
• Communication Skills – This position is expected to have an elevated level of effective communication with students, prospective students, coaches, counselors, parents, benefactors, and various stakeholders.
• Partnership Development & Fundraising – Ability to develop the Esports community in the areas of financial support and fundraising; develop and execute partnerships with potential corporate entities.
• To be appointed with tenure, the candidate should have a record of scholarly activity commensurate with an appointment with tenure in a doctoral institution with very high research activity (e.g., an R-1 institution).
  
  

Responsibilities

This is an academic-year (8.5 month) faculty appointment with teaching and student advising responsibilities, reporting to the Deans of the S.I. Newhouse School for Public Communications and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Candidates appointed with tenure will be expected to provide a dossier commensurate with rank. Candidates appointed as a Professor of Practice will be expected to remain connected to relevant industry groups and other professionals in ways that enhance their teaching and service to the program, to the Newhouse School, to Falk College, and to the University. All candidates will be expected to teach required coursework in contemporary Esports, based on expertise and skill set.

Additionally, as Executive Director, the successful candidate will be expected to provide leadership and vision for the program, develop curriculum, and ensure the program meets accreditation standards. The successful candidate will be expected to strengthen academic-industry partnerships and create special events. The executive director must also work well with advisory boards and the extensive Newhouse and Falk alumni network of industry practitioners in sports media, communications, marketing, and business. The Executive Director must develop and maintain a rigorous academic course of study, create a competition schedule that will allow Esports teams to prepare and compete successfully, as well as foster an ethical campus culture within an Esports living-learning community and across campus engagement initiatives. This position requires considerable influence and communication with executive leadership.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Oversee student recruitment, retention, and success: engage in successful student recruitment to attract students who meet University academic and athletic standards and work with academic support staff to ensure efficient progress to graduation.
• Develop the Esports academic program: develop and maintain rigorous and relevant academic offerings and experiences that develop skill sets for students to lead to success and ensure active and effective learning and development of learners in and through Esports; oversee experiential learning opportunities including, but not limited to, internships, volunteer opportunities, practicums, and other related experiences; develop international study opportunities and establish partnerships with various global organizations; organize Esports experiences internal and external to the University.
• Coordinate Esports competitions: hire and maintain broadcast and support staff; successfully plan and manage an annual budget including all necessary fiscal planning; coordinate with the production team to fulfill broadcast contracts and agreements; and be responsible for the overall performance of athletes’ academic progress by working closely with the academic support staff.
• Supervise the hiring and mentoring of teaching faculty and professional staff members: ensure effective teaching and instruction of all technical Esports game-specific skill areas to students; provide direct supervision of coaches, manage all staff disciplinary actions, and any other personnel management duties as required to maintain a successful staff.
• Build the Esports Program: Promote the Esports program to the public including, media, donors, University community to increase visibility; cultivate revenue generation and grow partnerships with sponsors, partners, University Advancement, and other stakeholders to ensure adequate program funding; promote the educational and professional development of learners through social media and other marketing avenues; participate in speaking engagements and panels throughout the year to enhance program reputation and outreach; provide oversight, evaluation, and maintenance of Esports facilities, budgets, and other resources.
• Coordinate with stakeholders: coordinate with other campus units to promote and support other college, student, program, and campus initiatives; develop strategies to engage the larger Syracuse campus community through events, competitions, and other activities; partner with stakeholders across campus to engage in internal and external events in and through Esports; coordinate and schedule the Esports facility and staff to support team, club, community, and special events; develop a living and learning community ( LLC ) for Esports students through engagement strategies and residential programming, establish residential LLC guidelines for a diverse group of students with an Esports focus, maintain an LLC with an Esports focus through shared course planning and service opportunities.

Compensation for duties as executive director will augment a base faculty salary, resulting in a 12-month annual appointment.

# HEJ

Physical Requirements

Tools/Equipment

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a curriculum vitae, cover letter, statement of teaching philosophy and experience, and diversity and inclusion statement. Three letters of recommendation will be requested for select candidates.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/97562

Job Posting Date
01/25/2023

Application Deadline

Open Until Filled
No

Priority Consideration
03/01/2023

Job Category
Faculty

Message to Applicants