(Open Rank) Professor & Director

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

(Open Rank) Professor & Director of Digital Media Management

This fall, USC Annenberg will launch the Master of Science in Digital Media Management (DMM) program: an innovative, 100% online STEM degree program for aspiring leaders with at least 5 years of professional experience.

To inspire, educate, and mentor these advanced students, we are seeking a dynamic faculty colleague with executive experience in digital media, demonstrated thought leadership in their field, proven management skills, and a passion for teaching. This full-time position of Professor & Director will be situated at USC’s main campus in Los Angeles. Candidates with appropriate credentials may also apply for a tenure-track appointment, when available.

In addition to equipping students with the skills and expertise that will give them a competitive advantage, DMM is dedicated to advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and access in the digital media industry. The curriculum emphasizes the type of integrity and ethical conduct that managers need to promote anti-racist and inclusive practices.

This faculty position offers a singular opportunity to help shape and grow a program that champions innovation, to lead creative collaborations between students and digital-community partners, and to make a long-lasting ethical impact on the industry. The successful candidate must teach at least one of the following courses:
  • Principles and Theories of Digital Media Management
  • Strategic Digital Media Marketing
  • Evaluating Digital Technologies: Media Buying, Measurement, and Analytics
  • Evaluating Digital Technologies: Content Categorization, Production, and Distribution
  • Digital Audience Research and Analysis
  • Digital Media Leadership
  • Managing Digital Media Teams and Projects
  • Digital Content Direction
  • Developing Effective User Engagement Strategies
  • Digital Platforms: Disruptions and Directions
  • Digital Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Digital Media Management Capstone

In addition, in the capacity of Director of DMM, this faculty member will also recruit and manage other instructors, oversee admissions into the program, advise students on academic and career issues, assess and report on program progress, and represent DMM at faculty meetings and other functions, to name a few responsibilities.

Given that the program reflects the diversity of creative and cultural expression in our connected world, we take a broad view of the appropriate credentials for this position. The indispensable component, however, is a track record of innovative and consequential contributions to the digital media industry.

Position Requirements

  • Education: Minimum BA degree in a relevant discipline (communication, marketing, software engineering) but MA preferred. Candidates seeking consideration for tenure track must hold a PhD in communication or related disciplines.
  • Executive experience: At least 10 years professional experience in a relevant industry (e.g., digital media, entertainment, marketing). Executive or entrepreneurial experience is a plus, particularly in directing teams for digital media development and marketing on a global level.
  • Teaching proficiency: Ability to engage students of different cultures and professional backgrounds for several hours per class session. Requisite skills include public speaking, writing, design (PowerPoint, graphs), and using Zoom for presentations and discussions.
  • Thought leadership: Demonstrated authority in digital media and related businesses, with commercial publications, industry speaking engagements, and/or press interviews.
  • Digital presence: Active digital media presence, including a social media account for professional purposes (such as LinkedIn or Twitter), a website, and regular online content, such as a blog, vlog, podcast, or articles in online publications.
  • Critical thinking: Ability to critically evaluate digital trends, ventures, student work, and faculty performance, then present constructive criticisms.
  • Professional network: Connections in the industry who can serve as instructors or guest speakers, offer front-line insights on technologies and in-demand skills, and ultimately provide students with career opportunities in digital media management.

Applicants

To be considered for this position, all candidates must apply via the USC Employee Recruitment Services website at the following link https://facultypositions.usc.edu/FAS/application/position?postingId=REQ20098996 . Submission materials should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, syllabi and/or curriculum design, and the names of three references. Final candidates will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation. The cover letter should be addressed to School of Communication Faculty Search Committee, Attention: Daniela Baroffio, Annenberg School of Communication, University of Southern California, 3502 Watt Way, Suite 305, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0281. Applicants may direct questions to Billie Shotlow at shotlow@usc.edu regarding the search process. Materials submitted by regular mail will not be accepted.

Review of applications will commence on April 19, 2021 and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. Questions or concerns about the position can be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Daniela Baroffio ( baroffio@usc.edu ), Search Committee Chair.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.