Endowed Chair of Automotive Studies

Roles

About Northwood University

Founded on the core values of individual freedom and responsibility, earned success, and the importance of moral law and free enterprise, Northwood University has been a leader in business education since 1959. We prepare students for success in a competitive, global marketplace by instilling a deep understanding of free enterprise and the value of private business ownership, all in alignment with The Northwood Idea.

Northwood University has also been recognized as one of the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® and earned Honor Roll distinction in eight categories: Job Satisfaction & Support, Compensation & Benefits, Professional Development, Mission & Pride, Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness, Confidence in Senior Leadership, Faculty & Staff Well-being, and Shared Governance. This year marks Northwood’s first-time achieving Honor Roll recognition and its fourth recognition overall, underscoring our commitment to an excellent workplace culture.

Why Join Northwood University?

We seek visionary educators who are committed to our mission of developing free enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress. As part of a vibrant intellectual community, our endowed chair positions provide a unique platform to influence the global conversation on free enterprise and business innovation. If you are ready to make a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply for one of our endowed chair positions and help us continue advancing America’s Free Enterprise University.

Northwood University’s Endowed Chair in Automotive Studies is a thought leader who promotes, supports, and ensures the academic quality and relevance of the Automotive Marketing and Management program, with cross-disciplinary opportunities with the Aftermarket program, and more broadly in Automotive and Mobility Studies. The Endowed Chair will provide leadership for Northwood’s Automotive Mobility Studies programs, students, and graduates to drive the industry forward. The Endowed Chair will perform teaching, research, and service to the University. The Endowed Chair in Automotive Studies is a member of the faculty within the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies.

The Endowed Chair in Automotive Studies is dedicated to advancing knowledge and expertise in the automotive retail sector. The chair will explore innovative and relevant strategies, consumer behavior, and market trends across the automotive mobility sector. The chair will be a visionary leader and pioneer in the field of Automotive Studies, and possess a deep understanding of consumer preferences, trends, and effective marketing strategies within the sector.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to shaping the academic content and quality, and curriculum planning/review of the undergraduate Automotive Marketing and Management courses and program.
• Teach up to three courses per semester (fall and spring) in automotive and mobility studies and a variety of undergraduate disciplines based on qualifications. Release time will be determined in collaboration with the dean to ensure a demonstrable positive impact on research and scholarly productivity.
• Enhance the university’s reputation and programs through student recruitment and retention by working collaboratively with Academics, Admissions, Marketing/Communications, Career Services, and Advancement & Alumni Relations.
• Collaborate with industry professionals and associations to promote the Automotive Marketing and Management program and provide networking opportunities for student internships and employment.
• Supervise student internships as needed and facilitate experiential learning opportunities, such as student participation in industry conferences, site visits, and study abroad experiences.
• Mentor students to become successful industry professionals.
• Provide industry thought leadership such as: speaking engagements, convening symposiums, podcasts, blogs, publishing in industry related journals and websites, and publishing research.
• Conduct and publish scholarly research in the discipline.
• Advance student research to empower learners to develop skills and an understanding of leadership in order to apply that knowledge to practical issues in Automotive Marketing and Management.
• Assist in recruiting and mentoring qualified faculty.
• Mentor other faculty on providing thought leadership across the university.
• Maintain and grow relationships with the automotive and mobility sector through professional associations and networking.
  
  

Qualifications

• Earned master’s degree or doctorate in Automotive Marketing and Management or a related field from an accredited institution. (Doctorate preferred.)
• Experience training and/or teaching. (Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses preferred.)
• History of relevant thought leadership demonstrated by speaking engagements and publications.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills in a variety of delivery formats.
• Seven or more years of experience directly related to the automotive and mobility sector.
  
  

Expectations

• Uphold and promote the Northwood mission, core values, outcomes and ethics, and The Northwood Idea.
• Be aware of and follow all University policies and procedures and serve as a sound financial steward.
• Provide timely information and reports to the academic deans as needed on program/department activities, issues, and needs.
• Coordinate activities with other departments as appropriate.
• Keep current with industry expectations and regularly review curriculum and course content to ensure that they are reflected therein.
• Focus on methods to keep students engaged in the program.
  
  

Northwood University has an institutional philosophy which emphasizes free enterprise in a context of limited government and individual responsibility. The ideal candidate will have a strong attraction to the mission and core values of Northwood University. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University’s outcomes at www.northwood.edu/aboutus/ .