Assistant or Associate Professor-Exercise and Sport Sciences

Job Description Summary

This position is founding faculty for Saint Leo University’s new Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science program, launching its first cohort in Fall 2027. This appointment is also part of the University’s Dynamic Faculty Model, a new category of 12-month faculty created to launch emerging programs and connect them directly with industry and community partners. For this Innovation Faculty role, Saint Leo seeks an innovator, an enthusiastic individual who is passionate about building and growing a program from the ground up. The Assistant or Associate Professor will teach undergraduate Exercise and Sport Science courses while helping shape the program’s curriculum, course sequencing, assessment design, and continuous improvement from inception, including the opportunity to lead the program’s accreditation strategy through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) under standards set by the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). The role also includes student advising, experiential learning supervision, recruitment, and partnership-building with healthcare, fitness, sport, and performance organizations across the Tampa Bay region. This is a full-time, twelve-month, renewable faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank (rank and salary commensurate with the incumbent's experience), non-tenure track, based at Saint Leo University’s main campus in St. Leo, Florida. Salary is established on a twelve-month basis and indexed to reflect the full annual term of the appointment. The position has no direct reports and reports to the Department Chairperson and/or Dean.

Job Description

Duties and Tasks

Teaching and Student Learning

• Teach undergraduate courses in Exercise and Sport Science and related areas.

• Deliver instruction through traditional, hybrid, online, laboratory, and experiential learning formats.

• Develop and implement evidence-based instructional strategies that support student success and engagement.

• Utilize educational technologies and discipline-specific software to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

• Assess student achievement and continuously improve course quality through data-informed practices.

Program Development and Assessment

• Participate in shaping the program from its inception, including curriculum design, course sequencing, and accreditation strategy.

• Support curriculum development, revision, and assessment initiatives.

• Participate in accreditation, compliance, and continuous quality improvement processes.

• Contribute to strategic initiatives that support enrollment growth, retention, and student achievement.

• Lead program-building efforts that establish the program’s identity, visibility, and market presence from its first cohort forward.

• Work directly with internal and external stakeholders, including admissions, marketing, and industry and community partners, to achieve program enrollment targets.

• Assist with development of new certificates, concentrations, and industry partnerships.

Student Advising and Mentorship

• Advise and mentor undergraduate students regarding academic progression, career development, and professional preparation.

• Support students pursuing graduate education, professional certifications, and careers in health, fitness, sport performance, rehabilitation, and allied health professions.

• Supervise internships, field experiences, capstone projects, and undergraduate research activities.

Scholarship and Professional Engagement

• Maintain professional currency through scholarship, certification, professional practice, and continuing education.

• Engage in scholarly activities, presentations, or applied professional projects.

• Participate in professional organizations and maintain visibility within the discipline.

Service and Community Engagement

• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees.

• Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare systems, fitness organizations, sport organizations, rehabilitation centers, community agencies, and professional partners across the Tampa Bay region.

• Support student recruitment, retention, alumni engagement, and community outreach initiatives.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Department Chairperson and/or Dean.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or a closely related movement science field, with significant professional experience and eligibility for faculty appointment under institutional and accreditation guidelines. (Required)

• Specialization in one or more of the following is preferred: Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, Human Performance, Sport Performance, Biomechanics, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sport Nutrition, or Motor Learning and Motor Control.

• Minimum of three years of professional experience in higher education, clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, sport performance, health promotion, rehabilitation, fitness management, or related settings. (Required)

• Professional certification is preferred (e.g., ACSM-EP or ACSM-CEP, NSCA-CSCS, CPSS, NASM or ACE credentials, or other nationally recognized certification relevant to the discipline); multiple certifications are highly desirable, though certification is not required to teach.

• Knowledge of exercise physiology and human performance assessment, exercise prescription for healthy and clinical populations, strength and conditioning principles, applied biomechanics and movement analysis, evidence-based health promotion and wellness strategies, and current industry and accreditation standards within exercise and sport science.

• Preferred: knowledge of sports analytics and performance-monitoring technologies, wearable technology and physiological data collection, clinical exercise testing and interpretation, program assessment and accreditation processes, and emerging trends in sport science and human performance optimization.

Skills

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, training, coaching, mentoring, or professional supervision, with strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication.

• Experience utilizing contemporary educational technologies and discipline-specific software in teaching and assessment.

• Ability to integrate technology and active-learning strategies into instruction, with data-driven decision-making and assessment skills.

• Strong organizational and project management abilities, and effective collaboration across interdisciplinary teams.

• Preferred: experience teaching in higher education, supervising internships or experiential learning placements, and disseminating scholarly work.

• Preferred: experience with curriculum development, accreditation, program assessment, and outcomes measurement, and experience using human performance testing equipment and laboratory technologies.

Abilities

• Ability to cultivate partnerships with industry, healthcare, fitness, sport, and community stakeholders, including organizations across the Tampa Bay region.

• Ability to foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment and mentor students from diverse educational, cultural, and professional backgrounds, including those pursuing graduate education, professional certifications, and careers in health, fitness, sport performance, rehabilitation, and allied health.

• Ability to lead curriculum innovations and program growth initiatives, including shaping a new program from inception and leading its accreditation strategy.

• Ability to adapt to evolving educational technologies and workforce needs, and to demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.

• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations across healthcare, fitness, performance, and community settings.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

In addition to your curriculum vitae, the following documents are required for consideration. Please be sure to check the email under which you applied for important instructions on completing remaining steps, including uploading documents in the second step of the application packet process as follows:

• Cover Letter

• Teaching Philosophy - (500 words or less), should highlight how your teaching philosophy and practices fit the Mission and Values of Saint Leo University.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation – All letters of recommendation should be professional references and at least one (1) from a recent superior. If you do not have those documents at the time of application, please upload a text or word document stating, "Recommendations will be sent independently." Recommendation letters can be mailed to Academic Affairs at the address stated below
• Student Evaluations (six classes minimum) – Student evaluations from the last year (at least six classes, an even mix of graduate and undergraduate).

TRANSCRIPTS

Official transcripts are required for all adjuncts and all final full-time faculty candidates

Official transcripts for Master, Graduate, and Doctorate degrees are required to complete your application packet and are to be issued directly to Saint Leo University from the respective education institution.*

Transcripts that are “Issued to Student” or issued to another institution are not accepted. Digital and/or electronic transcripts cannot be accepted at this time.

World Education Services (WES) Evaluation – A certified evaluation and translation from World Education Services (WES) is required for foreign transcripts and/or any and all degrees obtained from international universities. Expenses for official transcripts are the responsibility of the applicant.

Please have transcripts and certified evaluations mailed to:

Attn: Veronica Mantegna Academic Affairs – MC 2006 Saint Leo University

PO Box 6665

Saint Leo, Florida 33574

Full-time faculty positions are pending final budget approval prior to start of the academic year.

Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

Notice

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success.

Why Work at Saint Leo?

What it’s Like to Work Here: Ask our employees and the one word they’d use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world.  Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!

We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).

• FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents*
• Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees*
• Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
• Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
• 100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Wellness Center

*Eligibility based on meeting required service period

2025 ICUBA Benefits Guide_St Leo