The Indiana University School of Public Health‐Bloomington (SPH‐B) invites applications for the position of Chair and Tenured Professor in the Department of Sport Management, Tourism and Recreation. We are seeking an accomplished and collaborative leader with a strong record of research, academic leadership, and administration who is excited by the opportunity to shape the future of a newly formed department and champion the success of its faculty, staff, and students.

We seek candidates who bring multidisciplinary perspectives, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to excellence in research, teaching, service, and mentorship. The successful candidate will help advance an ambitious vision for a department positioned at the intersection of sport, tourism, recreation, health, and human well-being. This 12-month appointment would ideally start July 1, 2027, although an earlier or later start date is negotiable. Applications received by November 30, 2026, will receive full priority consideration, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

This position presents a rare opportunity to lead a newly formed department with established strengths, outstanding faculty, and strong momentum. The next chair will play a pivotal role in shaping the department’s identity, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding its impact, and advancing excellence across its teaching, research, and service missions.

A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) since 1909, Indiana University Bloomington prides itself in offering outstanding academics grounded in world-class research and vibrant campus life. The School of Public Health-Bloomington, located on the university’s flagship campus, includes more than 160 faculty members across five departments. The newly formed Department of Sport Management, Tourism and Recreation maintains strong connections across the School of Public Health-Bloomington and throughout Indiana University. Although newly formed, the department brings together established programs with more than 80 years of collective history and accomplishment. Given robust enrollment growth, SPH-B has recently been engaged in a major faculty hiring initiative and is launching another wave of faculty recruitment, including this search for an innovative and visionary chair who will help define the department’s next chapter and elevate its national and international impact.

Responsibilities: The chair will provide inspirational and practical leadership for research, teaching, and service; manage the budget and secure financial resources to meet program objectives; actively assist with fundraising activities; represent the department on external committees and to groups; oversee operations of the department’s undergraduate and graduate teaching including the recruitment and mentorship of outstanding faculty, staff, and students; and facilitate productive interaction among faculty, staff, students, and alumni. It is expected that the successful candidate will work closely with the dean to further the school’s goals and mission related to teaching, research, and service.

About Indiana University Bloomington: Founded in 1820, Indiana University Bloomington is the flagship campus of Indiana University and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). With more than 47,000 students and a strong tradition of excellence in research, teaching, and service, IU Bloomington provides an exceptional environment for academic innovation and collaboration. The School of Public Health-Bloomington includes five academic departments, with more than 300 faculty and staff, and a shared commitment to advancing health and well-being through impactful research, education, and community engagement.

Indiana University provides SPH-B faculty with exceptional support for teaching and research through programs such as the Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching (F.A.C.E.T.), extensive research development and administrative support through the Office of the Vice President for Research, and collaborations with organizations including the NCAA, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana University Athletics, the U.S. National Park Service, and a wealth of local, national, and international partners. Together, these resources create an environment that fosters innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful scholarly impact.

Located in south-central Indiana, Bloomington combines the vibrancy of a major research university with the quality of life of a welcoming college town, offering a rich arts scene, outstanding outdoor recreation, excellent schools, and a reasonable cost of living.

For more information about the School of Public Health-Bloomington and Indiana University Bloomington, visit:

School of Public Health-Bloomington: http://www.publichealth.indiana.edu

Indiana University Bloomington: https://www.indiana.edu

Qualifications: Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in a closely related field within sport management, recreation, tourism management and/or recreational therapy. A background through education and/or experience in public health will be seen as an advantage in this role. Candidates must also demonstrate a record of scholarly achievement appropriate for a senior career level, including evidence of high-quality teaching, research, and curriculum development. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build consensus, inspire excellence, foster a positive culture, and bring people together around a shared vision for the department’s future. The candidate is expected to be appointed as a tenured professor. Finally, candidates are expected to reside in Bloomington, Indiana, to permit full engagement with the department, school, campus, and community.

Questions about the PeopleAdmin application procedure may be directed to Dave Archer at dwarcher@iu.edu or via postal mail at Department of Sport Management, Tourism and Recreation Search & Screen Committee, School Public Health–Bloomington, Indiana University, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-4801. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Lisa Koontz, Director of Faculty Operations, lmkoontz@iu.edu, or Grace Sembajwe, Executive Associate Dean, gsembajw@iu.edu .

Application Procedure: Please provide a (1) curriculum vitae and (2) cover letter no longer than 5 pages in length summarizing your qualifications and interest in the position, which includes a research statement and overview of research experience, and a statement of teaching interest and experience. If selected as a finalist, we will additionally request a list of up to six (6) references; references will be contacted if you are selected for a finalist interview and/or job offer. Interested candidates should submit applications at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/34358

Before a conditional offer of employment is finalized, candidates will be asked to disclose any pending investigations or previous findings of sexual or professional misconduct. They will also be required to authorize an inquiry by Indiana University Bloomington with all current and former employers along these lines. The relevance of information disclosed or ascertained in the context of this process to a candidate’s eligibility for hire will be evaluated by Indiana University Bloomington on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should be aware, however, that Indiana University Bloomington takes the matters of sexual and professional misconduct very seriously.