Professor of the Practice

Povich Center Director

The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism is seeking an experienced journalist to serve as its next director. The Povich Center prepares students to be leaders in sports media through a curriculum that elevates discussions of race, gender, culture, politics and policy—just as pioneering sports journalist Shirley Povich did for most of the 20th century in the pages of the Washington Post. A central mission is to guide students in the production of professional-quality enterprise and investigative sports journalism that not only informs but also preserves historical context, provides civic value, and encourages public engagement. Povich Center journalism has been published by The Washington Post, PBS NewsHour and other leading news organizations. It has regularly won professional journalism awards from organizations like the Associated Press Sports Editors and Investigative Reporting and Editors. The Povich Center has also engaged in a range of other activities, including professional development workshops, research related to sports and sports journalism, summer camps, study abroad programs and events like the annual Povich Symposium, which brings together sports journalists, all-star athletes and collegiate and professional sports executives to discuss pressing issues in sports media or the sports industry. The Povich Center was established in 2011 with support from Shirley Povich's children – Maury, Lynn and David – as well as other parties.

This is a year-round ("12 month"), in-person position based in the Povich Center in College Park, Maryland. It is not eligible for a fully remote or hybrid schedule, but is eligible for occasional remote work. This position is posted as an "open rank" position. We expect to hire this person as a "Professor of the Practice" – a title that does not provide tenure or eligibility for tenure in the future or as a "Professor" or "Associate Professor" – formal University of Maryland titles that provide tenure. If this person's record of professional accomplishment meets or exceeds the university's high standards for appointment as a "Professor" or "Associate Professor" with tenure, we expect they will be appointed to that position. If it does not, they will be appointed as a Lecturer or "Professor of the Practice" on a five-year renewable contract. In either case, the person filling this position will be appointed as the George Solomon Endowed Chair in Sports Journalism.

Minimum qualifications: a bachelor's degree, a minimum of 15 years of journalism experience, including experience reporting and editing investigative or enterprise sports journalism work that elevates discussions of race, gender, culture, politics and policy in sports. Experience with storytelling forms tailored to reach new audiences on multiple platforms.

Preferences: We expect successful candidates will match some of the items on the list below. We think no candidate is likely to have all of them. Please apply even if you cannot check every box. Teaching and mentoring experience, which could include university-level or high-school teaching, teaching at industry conferences or formal mentorship of early-career journalists. Fundraising experience. Experience producing, sponsoring, managing or collaborating on the production of research reports about critical issues in sports, especially around race, gender, business, politics, policy or culture. Personnel management experience. Experience in building and managing internal and external partnerships to produce high-quality journalism. Demonstrated ability to bring extensive attention to your work through high-profile media channels whether controlled by you or others. A deep network in sports journalism and professional and/or amateur sports.

Licenses/certifications: n/a

Physical demands: n/a