Assistant Professor of Practice, Hotel and Event Operations

Job Title Assistant Professor of Practice, Hotel and Event Operations Job ID 607617 Location School of Hotel Restaurant Mgt Full / Part Time Full-Time Favorite Job Regular / Temporary Regular Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

About NAU

Northern Arizona University serves almost 30,000 students. We are a vibrant community, with 21,000 students in Flagstaff the home of our largest campus and the remainder online or at our 20+ statewide locations.

Our institution has carefully integrated on-campus education with distance learning, forming seamless avenues for students to earn degrees.

Committed to an inclusive university environment, NAU has all the benefits of a large institution with a personal touch.

We carefully balance teaching, scholarship, and service for faculty members. Supporting our core value of student-centrism, NAU’s faculty members promote learning and help students reach academic milestones.

Flagstaff is an outdoorsy mountain town with four seasons and a thriving cultural scene. Located at 7,000 feet, Flagstaff houses 70,000 people and sits at the base of the sacred San Francisco Peaks.

For more about inclusive excellence at NAU, visit the .

About the Department / College

Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) ACPHA accredited and ranked School of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) is situated within the AACSB accredited Franke College of Business (FCB).

Launched in 1986, the HRM program was intentionally designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities for emerging hospitality professionals to be an engine of economic opportunity for the growing hospitality industry in Arizona and the surrounding areas.

That work continues today. With over 5,000 graduates, HRM is committed to the success of our students, alumni, team, program, and hospitality industry community.

We do this by providing continuously adapting curriculum, by investing in vibrant and experienced team members, by designing spaces where students can learn experientially, and by committing to the success of our alumni and hospitality community.

Our diverse, 35+ member team supports the work of serving 400 current students of hosting two major fundraising events (Casino Night and Golf Tournament) and two major Career Fairs (40+ employers), as well as of providing ongoing support for alumni.

Our multi-million-dollar culinary lab is designed with modern equipment to prepare students to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Lastly, our study abroad programs offer opportunities for travel and learning around the world. We are passionate about our program, and we are excited to welcome the right person to help us continue our growth and impact.

About the Position

The Hotel and Event Operations faculty position is crucial for the program and serves as the lead expert on events, hospitality technology, and hotel operations.

This position will primarily be involved with leading curriculum and teaching courses related to events, hospitality technology, and hotel operations.

This position will also lead the HRM National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) student club.

This Assistant Professor of Practice will work collaboratively with the HRM team to curate a successful events, hospitality technology, and hotel operations hands-on classroom experience that reflects excellence in the hospitality industry.

This will be accomplished through innovative and impactful teaching approaches, through real-world and hands-on opportunities, and blurring the lines of the classroom to bring community into the classroom and send students out into the community to practice hotel and event excellence.

The courses taught by this Assistant Professor of Practice are dynamic, current, engaging, and intentionally designed to foster a sense of curiosity, purpose, and value.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

This position will lead and teach up to 12 credit hours of courses in each of the fall and spring semesters. Opportunities are possible to teach both in winter and summer semesters for additional income.

In general, this position will be teaching events, technology, and hotel operations courses.

• This position will lead the events and technology curriculum and support the hotel operations curriculum by working closely with industry and advisory board members by inviting hospitality professionals as guest speakers into the classes and by engaging in local, regional, and national community outreach.
• This position will be able to teach a variety of HRM courses with the ability to teach event, technology, and hotel topics as well as one of the following FCB vertical areas : Facilities Management, Human Resources and Organizational Behavior, Destination Development, Global Issues, Resort Operations, and Club Management.
• This position will lead HRM events including but not limited to : Career Fair, Casino Night, Golf Tournament, Pathways, and Information Sessions.
• Other duties as assigned by the HRM Executive Director.

This position is a 9 month academic year, non tenure track position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned Master’s degree in hospitality or related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as Director of Hotel Operations and / or Director of Events / Catering / Banquets.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in technology related to the hospitality industry.
• In-depth knowledge and experience of events management, hotel operations, and technology trends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Earned Doctoral degree in hospitality or related field from an accredited institution.
• Three or more years as an events, hotel, and technology educator in an accredited hospitality program.
• Demonstrated ability to lead profitable hotel and event operations.
• Demonstrated ability to teach hospitality related technology concepts.
• Active member of a recognized hospitality related industry association.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• In-Depth Subject Knowledge :
• A thorough understanding of hotel operations, event planning, and hospitality technology, including industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Expertise in topics such as revenue management, guest services, event logistics, food and beverage management, hotel marketing, and the use of technology in hospitality.
• Effective Teaching Skills :
• Strong pedagogical skills and the ability to design and deliver engaging, student-centered courses related to events, hotel operations, and hospitality technology.
• Skill in assessing and evaluating student learning, providing constructive feedback, and adapting teaching methods to diverse learning styles.
• Industry Experience :
• Practical experience in the hospitality industry, such as working in hotels, event management companies, or related businesses.
• Awareness of the real-world challenges and opportunities faced by emerging professionals in the hospitality industry.
• Technology Proficiency :
• Expertise with the latest hospitality technology and software used in hotel management, event planning and guest services.
• Ability to integrate technology into teaching effectively.
• Communication Skills :
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and engage students effectively.
• Strong writing and presentation skills for academic and industry-related purposes.
• Interpersonal Skills :
• Capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and industry partners.
• Ability to mentor and advise students on academic and career matters related to the hospitality industry.
• Adaptability :
• Flexibility to adapt to changes in the industry, technology, and educational methods.
• Willingness to update and expand knowledge and skills.
• Curriculum Development :
• Ability to design and revise curriculum and course materials to reflect industry advancements and the educational needs of students and the hospitality industry.
• Incorporate experiential learning opportunities, internships, and practical assignments into the curriculum.
• Student-Centered Approach :
• Genuine interest in student success, including offering support and guidance for their academic and career goals in collaboration with the HRM Career and Alumni Services department.
• Ability to foster a positive learning environment that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Service and Engagement :
• Willingness to participate in departmental and university service, including committee work, career advising, and community engagement.
• Active involvement in professional associations related to hospitality and events including but not limited to the National Association of Catering Executives local chapter leadership.
• Ethical Conduct :
• Strong commitment to ethical standards and responsible practices within the hospitality industry.

Driving Requirement

Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver’s license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed.

The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose.

More information on the can be found on the NAU website.

Compensation & Benefits

Commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

• This is a Faculty (FAC) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance;
• participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP); sick leave accruals and 10 holidays per year;

and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU .

Faculty are hired on a contract basis, renewable according to terms of the . Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan).

Employees will have 31 days from date of hire to enroll in benefits, and their benefits will then be effective the first day of the pay period following their completed enrollment.

If a new employee chooses the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement option, participation in the ASRS Plan (and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it) will begin on the first of the pay period following 183 days of employment.

New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP; an alternative to the ASRS plan) will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election.

The long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

More information about NAU benefits is available at the NAU .

Pre-Employment Check

This position has been identified as a safety / security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following : a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting.

If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an . The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act.

The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus.

In addition, the is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing.

This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.

If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E.

Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Suppt / Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Submit Your Application

Vacancy will remain open until filled. Applications received before January 8, 2024 will receive full consideration.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button at the end of the job description (if viewing this position through the NAU HR website).

Otherwise, to view the original post and to apply, proceed to , follow the 'Current Openings' link, locate vacancy 607617 , and then "Apply" at the bottom of the page.

Application must include (saved as PDF and / or Word documents) :

• a cover letter highlighting your particular qualifications for this position;
• a curriculum vitae; and
• names and contact information for three references.

Please do not include any other documents.

If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, , or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.