Wildlife Enterprise Management Program Manager

The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) at Auburn University invites applications for a Professor of Practice in Wildlife Enterprise Management (WLEM). This non-tenure-track position is designed for an experienced professional with a background in wildlife-based business operations, outdoor recreation management, hospitality, or related fields. The successful candidate will bring real-world expertise into the classroom, preparing students for careers in the hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventure industry.

Auburn University’s WLEM degree is one of only a few such programs in the United States, providing a unique opportunity to mentor and educate future leaders in this growing field. The program blends wildlife management, hospitality services, and business principles to equip students with the skills for managing and operating client-focused, nature-based enterprises.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mentor students, providing career guidance and industry connections.
• Teach undergraduate courses in wildlife enterprise management curriculum.
• Identify, evaluate, develop, and deliver hands-on learning experiences that integrate industry best practices in hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventure enterprise management.
• Foster relationships with industry leaders to enhance internship and job placement opportunities.
• Contribute to curriculum development and program innovation, ensuring alignment with industry trends.
• Ensure student success toward degree completion.
• Continue to identify beneficial courses to be included as WLEM restricted electives.
• Facilitate experiential learning opportunities, including field-based activities, site visits, and industry networking events.
• Collaborate with CFWE, Business, and Human Sciences faculty to maintain and further enhance the WLEM curriculum.

The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment is a national and international leader in forestry, wildlife, and natural resources programs and the flagship institution of Alabama’s $30 billion plus forest, wildlife, and natural resources-related enterprises, a significant component of the State’s economic and employment contributions and impacts. The College is home to eight undergraduate degree programs and nearly 500 undergraduate students. Graduate student enrollment is more than 160 students, and there is a total of 44 research, teaching, and extension faculty.

Auburn University (www.auburn.edu) is one of the nation’s premier land, sea, and space grant institutions with an enrollment of more than 30,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, its positive work environment, flourishing student life programs, and beautiful campus. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama approximately 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, GA and southeast of Birmingham, AL, and is about 60 miles from the state capital (Montgomery).

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree and 7+ years of documented managerial experience in hunting, fishing, or wildlife-based outdoor business OR a MS degree with 2+ years of professional experience in wildlife-based business operations, outdoor recreation management, or hospitality services OR a PhD degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resources, Business, Hospitality, Outdoor Recreation, or a related field with experience in consumptive use recreation at the time employment begins.
• Desire and ability to teach courses within the WLEM curriculum.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to apply industry knowledge to teaching and student engagement.
• Strong network within the hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation industry.
• The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in entrepreneurship, hospitality management, or business development in the outdoor industry.
• Prior teaching, mentoring, or training experience in a higher education or professional setting.
• Familiarity with wildlife conservation, land management, and resilient outdoor recreation practices