Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track in Business and Communications

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Today, Mount Royal offers 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors, along with a wide range of diploma and certificate options. We boast a diverse community with nearly 16,000 credit students, more than 5,500 non-credit students and about 1,700 employees.

Mount Royal is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, and the Iyarhe Nakoda. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, we are known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Learn more at mru.ca/AcademicPlan .

We are committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

The Faculty of Business and Communications Studies has a student body of approximately 3400 students and is composed of the Bissett School of Business and the School of Communication Studies.  The Bissett School of Business hosts four departments: General Management & Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, International Business & Supply Chain Management, and Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Social Innovation. The Bissett School of Business is an accredited member of EFMD, a global, non-profit, membership-driven organization dedicated to management development.The School of Communication Studies consists of three departments: Public Relations, Information Design, and Broadcasting & Journalism. 

The Department of General Management & Human Resources offers Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees in both General Management  and Human Resources .  The General Management program helps students understand the “big picture” in a variety of business sectors.  Coursework in this degree allows students to gain skills and knowledge needed to manage or start a business.  The General Management major is designed to offer students flexibility in program design and transferability, as well as exposure to a broad number of key business areas.  Core Courses include: Human Resources, Business Communications, Marketing, Global Business Environment and Business Communication, Operations Management, Business Law, Organizational Behaviour, and Strategic Management.

The Bachelor of Communication Studies supports careers in high-demand areas that span across multiple communication sectors. The degree has been developed with strong support from employers and alumni in the field and features innovative courses that will prepare students for the fast-paced world of communications.  With four majors — Public Relations, Journalism & Digital Media, Broadcast Media Studies, and Information Design — the degree offers student-centred instruction in personalized settings with instructors who are leaders in their fields.  Experiential learning, internships, and communications theory are integral to the degree.   

We invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning July 1, 2024.  This position, cross-appointed between General Management and Communications Studies, requires an individual who can contribute meaningfully, through teaching and service and/or research, to both areas.  Candidates are encouraged to explore the MRFA collective agreement to learn more about cross-appointments.

The successful candidate will likely teach and lead curriculum development in two courses taught across multiple sections: MGMT3210: Business Communications in the General Management Department and COMM4501: Roles and Practices in Contemporary Communications, one of four core communication courses required of all students in Communication Studies.  Both courses involve practice-based teaching, informed by theory.  Applicants are encouraged to highlight their qualifications and interests in each applicable subject area, as well as any experience they may have with community service learning and curriculum development. We welcome educators who understand organizational storytelling and who teach communications that move beyond the written word.

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns.  The teaching/scholarship/service pattern (TSS) has a focus on scholarly teaching with the requirement that the faculty member is involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community.  At MRU, scholarship is broadly defined and includes applied or industry-facing research.  Faculty in the TSS stream are expected to teach six 3-credit hour courses per academic year.

The teaching/service pattern (TS) has a focus on scholarly teaching and service only.  Faculty in the TS stream are expected to teach eight 3-credit hour courses per academic year.  There is an option to request a change in work patterns after tenure.  Class sizes typically average between 35-40 students. 

Applicants should indicate whether TS or TSS is their preferred work pattern in their cover letter. TSS applicants should briefly outline their scholarship/ research plan.  A range of scholarship is welcome.  Both streams require service to the home department (General Management) and the Communication Studies area which resides in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism. 

• Instruction: course delivery including preparation of course outlines, other course materials, course activities, lesson preparation and assessments, class delivery, student consultations, and course learning management systems;     

• Research (if on TSS): executing a relevant program of research, within the context of an undergraduate university;

• Administration: administer midterm and/or final exams, input final grades upon course completion, and participate in course-related meetings, as required;

• Service: may include activities such as coaching student competition teams, mentoring student clubs, assisting with the development of curriculum and program reviews, and serving on departmental, faculty, or university committees; and

• Community: at Mount Royal University, our industry and community connections are an important and integral part of our programs. The successful candidate will be required to actively liaise with human resources industry partners or professional associations on behalf of both schools.

• A Master's degree is required but a Ph.D. in a closely related field is preferred;

• The Ideal candidate would have business/industry experience with a communications focus. Experience in investor relations, stakeholder experience, and external audiences would be an asset;

• Teaching and curriculum development experience at the post-secondary level and the ability to teach across both areas (General Management and Communication Studies);     

• Preference for candidates with experience teaching Business Communications or Roles and Practices in Contemporary Communications or equivalent;

• Strong interpersonal, written, presentation, and communication skills, and strong attention to detail, with multiple audiences in mind;

• The ability to respectfully engage with diverse communities, create inclusive classrooms, and understand decolonization and Indigenization

• An emerging or established program of research (if TSS is selected) and experience with and willingness for interdisciplinary collaboration.  

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success.  Ranked in Forbes Top 20 Canadian Employers, we strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. 

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University.  A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace.  Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. 

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists.  Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public. 

Closing Date: We will begin reviewing applications on March 29, 2024.  The position will remain open until filled.

Interested applicants should submit the following materials using the “Apply to the Job” link below”

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999.pdf).

If you have questions regarding the position, contact Rachael Pettigrew, Chair, Department of General Management, at [email protected] .