Associate Professor of Business

Position Overview:

The Faculty of Law, Business, and Government at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria invites applications for the position of Associate Professor of Business, with primary assignment to the Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE), fully taught in English.

The Faculty operates as a College model that integrates more than 8 undergraduate degree programs through a shared curriculum in the first year. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching "Foundations of Business," a required first-year College course for all undergraduate students across these programs, as well as advanced business courses within the PPLE degree and other programs.

This position offers the opportunity to shape how hundreds of students from diverse academic backgrounds first encounter business thinking and practice, helping them understand organizations, management, and entrepreneurship through the lens of human flourishing, ethical leadership, and service to the common good. The role allows the candidate to participate in an innovative educational project that challenges conventional business thinking and integrates business with philosophy, politics, law, economics, and other disciplines across the College.

Priority Research Areas:

In alignment with the Faculty's research development strategy, we particularly welcome candidates with expertise in the following areas (in order of priority):

1. International Business with a focus on Asian Markets: Research and teaching expertise in international trade, global supply chains, and expansion strategies in emerging economies such as China, India, or Southeast Asia. This area aligns with our strategic focus on business dynamics in Asia and integrates the PPLE interdisciplinary model with ethical and humanistic perspectives on global commerce.
2. Cross-Cultural Management and Leadership in Global Contexts: Expertise in servant leadership, cultural diversity, and human flourishing in international environments. This area complements the integration of business with philosophy, politics, and economics in the PPLE program while connecting to research on leadership and organizational culture across different contexts.
3. Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Emerging Regions: Focus on frameworks such as Catholic Social Teaching, stakeholder theory, or the economy of communion, applied to emerging markets including Asia. This area fosters research contributing to the common good and integral human development, in harmony with UFV's mission.

While candidates with expertise in these priority areas are especially encouraged to apply, we welcome all qualified applicants whose research and teaching interests align with the mission and vision of the PPLE program and the Faculty.

Position Responsibilities:

• Teach "Foundations of Business," a required first-year College course for all undergraduate students across the Faculty's 10+ degree programs
• Teach advanced business courses within the PPLE program and potentially other degree programs within the College
• Design and deliver course materials that make business concepts and practices accessible and relevant to students from diverse academic backgrounds (law, government, philosophy, politics, economics, etc.)
• Develop pedagogical approaches that integrate business analysis with ethical reflection, leadership development, and the pursuit of the common good
• Contribute to the interdisciplinary dialogue between business and other disciplines (philosophy, politics, law, economics) within the College model
• Engage in research activities within their area of expertise, particularly in areas related to ethical business practices, organizational purpose, servant leadership, social entrepreneurship, or other approaches that ground business in human dignity and the common good
• Supervise bachelor's theses and mentor students in their intellectual and personal development
• Participate in College activities, including seminars, lectures, and academic events that bring together students and faculty from different programs
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to foster the College's interdisciplinary mission
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the business curriculum across the College
• Represent the Faculty in academic forums and contribute to its visibility

Required Qualifications:

Academic Background:

• PhD in Business Administration, Management, Organizational Studies, International Business, or related field (completed)
• A truly interdisciplinary profile demonstrated by: holding a degree (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral) in fields such as economics, philosophy, law, engineering, sociology, psychology, or other disciplines that complement business; or significant coursework and research engagement across multiple disciplines
• Evidence of interdisciplinary work through publications, research projects, teaching experiences, or collaborative initiatives that bridge business with other fields
• Ideally, at least 8-10 years of combined teaching and research experience post-PhD, with a publication record that meets the requirements for Associate Professor level (Profesor Titular) in the Spanish accreditation system (ANECA)
• A strong publication record with emphasis on quality and impact, including publications in peer-reviewed journals (indexed when possible), significant working papers, and book chapters
• Evidence of serious engagement with foundational questions in business, organizational purpose, ethical leadership, and/or alternative approaches to business thinking

Research Focus and Values:

• A researcher who demonstrates enthusiasm for rethinking business from perspectives grounded in human dignity, organizational purpose, servant leadership, Catholic Social Teaching, or related frameworks that prioritize the common good and integral human development
• Research interests that go beyond purely technical or instrumental business analysis to engage with fundamental questions about the purpose of business, ethical leadership, organizational culture, and the role of business in serving society
• Openness to interdisciplinary dialogue and willingness to integrate insights from philosophy, theology, economics, law, and social sciences into business analysis
• A researcher who shares UFV's vision and values, particularly its commitment to truth, the common good, and Christian humanism

Research Experience:

• Sustained and active research engagement through a substantial publication record, regular presentations at academic conferences, and participation in research projects
• Demonstrated commitment to a research agenda aligned with the mission of the university and the PPLE program
• Active participation in research networks, institutes, or collaborative projects (national or international)
• Evidence of research leadership through directing or co-directing research projects, organizing conferences or workshops, or serving in editorial roles

Supervision Experience:

• Extensive experience supervising or co-supervising bachelor's and master's theses
• Experience mentoring students and guiding their intellectual and personal formation
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering students' critical thinking and their understanding of business as a discipline oriented toward creating value for society and serving the common good
• Track record of successful student mentorship and supervision

Teaching Experience:

• Substantial experience teaching business at the undergraduate level, particularly introductory or foundational courses (ideally minimum 5 years)
• Demonstrated ability to make business concepts and practices accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds, including those without prior business training
• Experience teaching large, diverse cohorts in interdisciplinary or College model settings
• Proven commitment to active learning methodologies and student-centered pedagogy
• Experience with Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning methodologies is highly valued, as these form the bedrock of UFV's pedagogical model
• Demonstrated experience teaching business from a perspective that emphasizes ethical reflection, purpose-driven organizations, and the common good
• Proven ability to design courses that serve both as foundational training for all students and as preparation for more advanced business study
• Strong track record of connecting business theory to real-world challenges, practical application, and entrepreneurial ventures

Professional Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working in interdisciplinary academic environments, evidenced by collaborative research, interdisciplinary teaching, or participation in cross-disciplinary initiatives
• Evidence of successful interdisciplinary collaboration through co-authored publications, joint research projects, or teaching in interdisciplinary programs
• A well-established network of contacts in the field of specialty and active memberships in professional associations

Language Requirements:

• High proficiency in English (C2 level or equivalent), evidenced by publications and/or teaching experience in English-speaking contexts, as the PPLE program is fully taught in English
• Proficiency in Spanish is valued but not required; willingness to learn Spanish is expected

Commitment to UFV Mission:

• Commitment to the ideals, vision, and mission of Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
• Alignment with UFV's educational model based on Christian humanism, personalist anthropology, and the pursuit of truth
• Understanding of and commitment to the integration of faith and reason in higher education, particularly in the field of business
• Dedication to fostering the common good and human flourishing through business education and research
• Willingness to contribute to the formation of students as persons and ethical leaders, not merely as technical professionals 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Catholic Social Teaching and its implications for business thought and practice
• Experience with or knowledge of alternative business frameworks such as the economy of communion, B Corporation principles, conscious capitalism, servant leadership, or stakeholder theory
• Research expertise or strong interest in international business, particularly in Asian markets, cross-cultural management, or sustainable entrepreneurship in emerging economies
• Demonstrated experience implementing Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning methodologies in business courses
• Experience designing courses that connect business theory with real-world problems, entrepreneurial ventures, and social innovation
• Experience with liberal arts education models or interdisciplinary teaching
• International academic experience or research stays at prestigious universities
• Additional European languages beyond English and Spanish
• Experience in organizing academic events, workshops, or seminars
• Familiarity with educational innovation projects
• Professional business experience (entrepreneurship, management, consulting, advisory roles) that complements academic work

Selection Process:

• Application Period: January 2026
• Interviews: February 2026
• Start Date: September 2026 (academic year 2026-2027)

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) - including detailed publication list and research experience
2. Cover Letter - addressing alignment with UFV's mission and vision for the PPLE program, with particular emphasis on how you approach the teaching and study of business in light of the common good and human flourishing
3. Teaching and Research Statement - explaining your pedagogical philosophy for teaching business, your research interests, and how both connect with the foundational questions and interdisciplinary nature of the PPLE program
4. Three academic references

When writing the Cover Letter, please review our mission and identity webpage at: https://www.ufv.es/welcome-to-ufv-madrid/about-ufv/

We expect applicants to explain how our values relate to their academic goals, with particular emphasis on how they understand business as a discipline that should serve human dignity and the common good, and how this understanding shapes their teaching and research. 

Compensation Package:

The gross annual salary will be between 54,000 and 70,000 Euros, commensurate with the experience and profile of the selected candidate. It will include relocation costs (if applicable), life and health insurance, among other benefits.

Faculty Mission and Model:

The Faculty of Law, Business, and Government operates as a College that integrates more than 10 undergraduate degree programs through a shared interdisciplinary curriculum in the first year. This College model promotes dialogue between social sciences and humanities, allowing students from diverse programs—including law, business administration, international relations, government, philosophy, politics, and economics—to learn together and develop a broad understanding of fundamental questions before specializing in their chosen fields.

Our pedagogical model is built on the bedrock of Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning. We believe that students learn business best not only through theoretical frameworks but by engaging with real organizational challenges, analyzing concrete cases, developing entrepreneurial ventures, and creating practical solutions to contemporary business problems. This approach requires faculty who can bridge the gap between business theory and practice, and who can guide students in applying business thinking to create value for individuals, organizations, communities, and society.

The "Foundations of Business" course is a cornerstone of this first-year College experience, providing all students with essential business literacy and analytical tools while emphasizing the ethical dimensions of business decisions, the purpose of organizations, and the role of business in serving society. This course serves both students who will pursue business-related majors and those whose primary focus lies in other disciplines, making it essential that instruction be both rigorous and accessible, theoretically grounded and practically applicable.

The PPLE program embodies the College's interdisciplinary vision at its fullest, bringing together Philosophy, Politics, Law, and Economics to equip students with the analytical tools and ethical foundations necessary to address contemporary challenges and contribute to the common good. Faculty teaching in the PPLE program also contribute to the broader College mission by teaching foundational courses to students across all programs.

Our educational model is based on personalist anthropology and Christian humanism, fostering the integral development of the person through rigorous academic training, character formation, and service to society. We are looking for business educators and scholars who share this vision and are excited about teaching business in a way that places human dignity, ethical leadership, and the common good at the center, while serving a diverse student body with varying academic interests and career aspirations.

We encourage applicants who are committed to contributing to the intellectual tradition of Christian humanism in business education and who are dedicated to making significant contributions to both the academic community and society at large.

Application Submission:

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to:

• Ignacio Urrutia (Director of International Business Management) at ignacio.urrutia@ufv.es
• Luis Exposito (Director of the Bachelor in Business Management) at luis.exposito@ufv.es 
• CC: Jorge Cerdio (Head of College and Undergraduate Studies) at jorge.cerdio@ufv.es 
• CC:desarrollodepersonas@ufv.es, indicating in the subject line the specific selection process to which you are applying, as well as your name and surname.  

For any inquiries regarding the position or application process, please contact Ignacio Urrutia or Jorge Cerdio.

For more information, visit the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria and the Faculty of Law, Business, and Government websites.

About Universidad Francisco de Vitoria:

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is committed to education that seeks truth, promotes human excellence, and serves the common good. Our educational model is based on personalist anthropology and Christian humanism, fostering the integral development of the person through rigorous academic training, character formation, and service to society.

The Faculty's College model represents a unique opportunity to teach business to a broad and diverse student population in the foundational first year, while also contributing to specialized programs like the PPLE. This position allows the successful candidate to influence how business is understood and practiced across multiple disciplines, always with a view toward human flourishing, ethical leadership, and the common good.