Faculty/Executive Director of SUS-UW Kinesiology Undergraduate Dual-degree Program

JOB TITLE:  

Faculty/Executive Director of Shanghai University of Sport and the University of Wyoming (SUS-UW) Kinesiology Undergraduate Dual-degree Program

JOB PURPOSE:   

Faculty appointment and Executive Director of the SUS-UW undergraduate dual-degree program. Anticipated to be 87.5% administrative as Executive Director and 12.5% faculty teaching duties in area of kinesiology/health expertise. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: providing strategic academic and administrative leadership; teaching 1-2 courses per year (within expertise); recruiting, managing/supervising, and mentoring program faculty and staff; ensuring high-quality delivery of University of Wyoming (UW) coursework by program faculty; engaging with program alumni; effective cross-institutional coordination; and compliance with UW academic policies and standards. This Faculty Appointment as Executive Director is an at-will renewable fixed-term (e.g., 1-5 years) appointment; as the senior administrator of the program, Executive Director duties are intended to advance the program’s academic quality, student success, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of the partnership, program quality, and fiscal stability. The Executive Director will be supported and resourced by the Division of Kinesiology and Health and College of Health Science.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Serve as the UW principal academic (Faculty) and administrator (Executive Director) for the for the dual-degree program.

Lead implementation of the approved curriculum and study plan, ensuring alignment with UW academic policies, course requirements, student-progression standards, and instructional expectations.

Plan, schedule, and coordinate UW courses at Shanghai University of Sport (SUS), including course rotations, instructional assignments, staffing plans, and delivery logistics.

Recruit, recommend, onboard, supervise, mentor, and support qualified UW instructors and program personnel in consultation with Division and College leadership and the full support of UW human resources.

Assign teaching loads and responsibilities, coordinate instructional schedules, and foster a collaborative, effective faculty and staff team.

Work with UW and SUS staff to onboard instructional faculty and support them in instructional duties on the SUS campus in Shanghai, China.

Monitor UW course delivery, student learning outcomes, program metrics, and instructional quality; lead assessment, reporting, and continuous-improvement activities.

Maintain timely communication with UW and SUS stakeholders regarding academic policies, grading, student support, curriculum implementation, and program operations.

Collaborate with relevant UW and SUS offices on student recruitment, orientation, advising, academic support, quality assurance, program review, and accreditation-related activities.

Teach 1-2 undergraduate courses or modules annually in the dual-degree curriculum, delivering instruction consistent with UW learning objectives, syllabi, assessment practices, and academic standards.

Provide accessible academic mentoring and support to enrolled students through in-person and virtual engagement.

Engage and steward program alumni.

Serve as the lead fiscal authority for the program –  $1.5-5 million annual gross budget.

Travel domestically and internationally, including on-site work in Shanghai and engagement with UW’s Laramie campus, to support program delivery, partnership development, and recruitment activities.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS: 

Participate in program-related service, committee work, and other administrative responsibilities assigned by the Division of Kinesiology and Health Unit Head, College leadership, or University. Contribute to strategic planning, curriculum development, budget planning, and partnership-growth initiatives that strengthen the program’s sustainability and visibility. Support faculty and staff professional development, including mentoring, orientation, and ongoing guidance in cross-cultural and transnational instructional settings. Represent the program at institutional, professional, recruitment, and partnership events, including activities involving relevant kinesiology and sport-science professional organizations.

COMPETENCIES: 

Academic leadership: Ability to provide vision, direction, and accountable oversight for an academically rigorous international undergraduate program.

Program administration: Skill/experience in coordinating curriculum, personnel management, schedule creation, budget management, documentation, assessment, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.

Cross-cultural collaboration: Capacity to build productive relationships across U.S. and Chinese institutional contexts and among diverse, multi-stakeholder groups.
 

Faculty supervision and development: Ability to recruit, mentor, support, and evaluate instructors and staff while promoting team effectiveness and professional growth.

Instructional excellence: Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate kinesiology or related coursework using sound pedagogy, appropriate assessment, and student-centered support.

Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and intercultural communication skills, with the ability to convey expectations clearly across institutions and audiences.

Student success orientation: Commitment to student support, orientation, advising, mentoring, progression, and academic achievement in an international program environment.

Organizational effectiveness: Strong planning, prioritization, documentation, problem-solving, and follow-through skills in a complex, multi-site operating environment.

Professional judgment: Ability to exercise discretion, maintain academic standards, address emerging issues constructively, and make decisions consistent with UW policy and program objectives.

Adaptability and international mobility: Willingness and ability to work effectively across time zones, travel internationally, and adapt to evolving program, instructional, and partnership needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s degree in kinesiology/health or related field, e.g., exercise science, sport science, physical education, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in university-level teaching and academic program administration. Evidence of successful leadership and supervision of programs in a higher education setting. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with diverse students, faculty, staff, and external partners. 
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and written/verbal English communication skills.
• Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the Driving for University Business SAP. 

The Faculty appointment type will be at the title of “Instructional Professor”, “Professor of Practice”, or “Lecturer” based on experience and qualifications.  Rank will be at “Assistant”, “Associate”, or “Senior/Full”. Both the Faculty appointment type and Rank will be negotiated with the successful candidate commensurate with prior experience and qualifications.

Experience Evaluation 

Minimum experience requirements are evaluated on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis. Relevant part-time experience will be prorated based on hours worked. For example, two years working an average of 20 hours per week is equivalent to approximately one year of full-time experience. 

Applicants must include the average hours worked per week for all current and previous positions. Failure to provide this information may affect the evaluation of qualifications. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Doctoral degree in kinesiology or related field. 
• Experience with international, joint, or transnational higher education programs. 
• Familiarity with higher education systems in both China and the United States.
• Experience with curriculum and budget planning, faculty coordination, program assessment, and continuous improvement. 
• Experience mentoring and supporting professional development/growth of peer faculty, staff, and team members. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-cultural, multi-stakeholder collaborations. 
• Proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin) in professional and academic settings. 
• Experience with student recruitment, advising, or academic support in internationally collaborative programs. 
• Network and familiarity with the American College of Sports Medicine, American Kinesiology Association, National Academy of Kinesiology, and/or other similar international kinesiology professional associations/organizations.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: 

Complete the online application.  The department additionally requests candidates upload the following document(s) for a complete application: 

1. Cover letter 
2. Resume or C.V. 
3. Contact information for four work-related references (references will only be contacted if you are selected as a finalist for the position). 

Questions about this position and opportunity contact:

Arthur Zhu (Professor)

Email:qzhu1@uwyo.edu
Phone: 307-766-3662

Or

Derek Smith (Associate Dean)

Email: SmithDT@uwyo.edu

Phone: 307-766-5271 

WORK LOCATION: 

Remote/Flexible Work: This position is eligible for remote work and/or a flexible work schedule.  

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS:

HIRING STATEMENT/EEO:   

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact us at 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu.  

ABOUT LARAMIE: 

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a charming town of 30,000 residents nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its only 4-year university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research, and outreach with state-of-the-art facilities and strong community ties. We invite you to learn  more about Laramie by visiting the About Laramie website. 

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range and the metropolitan Denver area. Laramie’s beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/