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Welcome to VCU, a world unlike any other.

We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs.

Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.

This isn't business as usual. It's innovation at work. We are unlike any business school you've ever seen. Join us. You can be unstoppable here.

Join the Nation’s Premier Graduate Program in Advertising and Branding

Are you a leader in the creative industries, ready to inspire the next generation of trailblazers? The VCU Brandcenter, a top-ranked graduate program in advertising, branding, and innovation is seeking distinguished practitioners to join us as a Visiting Professor of Practice for a one-year term beginning summer 2026.

This is your opportunity to step into an academic setting and share your expertise, creativity, and passion with the brightest emerging talent in the industry while also rejuvenating your own professional perspective.

At the VCU Brandcenter, we don’t just teach—we create. Our program is where big ideas meet real-world application, and where students transform into industry-ready leaders. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

 As a Visiting Professor of Practice, you will:

• Shape the Future: Inspire and mentor students who are pushing boundaries in strategy, creative direction, copywriting, brand management, and more.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve: Immerse yourself in the energy of cutting-edge ideas and fresh perspectives that will invigorate your own professional work.
• Collaborate with Leaders: Work alongside top-tier faculty who bring a mix of academic rigor and industry experience to the classroom.
• Engage with Innovation: Be part of a program known for producing the most awarded creative talent, with graduates leading global campaigns and redefining industries.

As a Visiting Professor of Practice, you will be responsible for the following over a 12-month term:

• Course Leadership: Design, develop, and lead a minimum of two graduate-level courses per semester in your specific area of expertise. This includes creating dynamic, engaging, and rigorous course content that blends theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world applications.
• Innovative Instruction: Facilitate an interactive, in-person learning environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Utilize a variety of teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, including lectures, workshops, case studies, and project-based learning.
• Student Assessment: Develop assessment strategies to evaluate student performance, provide constructive feedback, and support students’ academic growth.
• Student Guidance: Offer mentorship and one-on-one coaching to students, providing them with insights drawn from your professional experience. Help them navigate academic challenges, career pathways, and industry expectations.
• Career Development: Share practical advice and career strategies to help students prepare for post-graduate opportunities. Facilitate networking connections and encourage students to pursue internships, projects, or collaborations that enhance their professional growth.
• Feedback and Support: Be accessible to students outside of class time for additional guidance, offering personalized feedback to help them refine their skills and ideas. (12-15 office hours per week)
• Curriculum Development: Partner with Brandcenter faculty and leadership to assess, enhance, and innovate the curriculum. Ensure that course content remains current and aligned with the latest trends, technologies, and practices in the industry.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Foster interdisciplinary projects and collaborations that encourage students to think broadly and creatively. Work closely with faculty members from different specialties to provide a well-rounded educational experience.

Contribute to Additional Projects:

• Strategic Initiatives: Participate in special projects or initiatives that align with Brandcenter’s mission and goals. This may include research, committee service, or contributing to new program development.
• Recruitment: Support the Admissions teams with recruitment efforts including, but not limited to, interviews, campus visits and open houses.
• Institutional Support: Assist with other responsibilities as needed to support the success and growth of the program.

What you'll gain:

• A Creative Reset: Spend a year immersed in an environment that values exploration, experimentation, and creative problem-solving.
• Professional Development: Teaching at the Brandcenter will deepen your understanding of the industry, sharpen your communication skills, and provide a platform to solidify your legacy.
• Community Connection: Join a tight-knit, passionate network of faculty, students, and alumni who are reshaping the creative landscape.

Unit: School Of Business MBU

Department: Brandcenter

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of industry experience in advertising, branding, marketing, innovation, or related fields, specifically with a background in Art Direction or Copywriting in a Creative Director-level role or higher.
• A track record of creative and strategic excellence, whether in campaigns, product development, design, or storytelling.
• A passion for teaching and mentoring future industry leaders.
• The ability to translate real-world experience into actionable insights and lessons.
• A collaborative spirit and a desire to contribute to a vibrant academic community.
• Must have current and relevant portfolio work that is award-winning and/or nationally recognized.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

You don’t need prior teaching experience—your professional expertise and enthusiasm for shaping the future are what matter most.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree strongly preferred, or bachelor's degree with evidence of sustained exceptional accomplishment in the field
• Prior University-Level Teaching Experience
• A proven track record of leading and mentoring junior talent

Salary Range: $115-$125k, commensurate to experience

Additional Information:

Application Process: Candidates should upload their application that includes: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and e-mail addresses of four references. A copy of a portfolio showcasing your work is preferred, but not required. Reference letters will be requested by the search committee only for the short-listed candidates. Only complete applications that meet the required qualifications will be considered. Review of applications will start immediately, and will continue until filled. For additional information, please contact search committee chair, Hattie Nguyen (nguyenh23@vcu.edu).

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 

Rank: Instructor

Tenure: Ineligible

Months: 12 months

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Hattie Nguyen
Contact Email: nguyenh23@vcu.edu