Screenwriting Professor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

The School of Film and Television of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time teaching-track Faculty position in Screenwriting and Producing for Film and Television beginning August 2026.

Candidates should have expertise in writing and producing in a variety of areas in cinema and television, and experience with writing in a broad range of forms including but not limited to short film, feature film, episodic and serialized television series, sketch comedy, and / or streaming media. Preference will be given to candidates with additional experience in scripted television and cinema producing and development, and with a deep understanding of convergent industry practices including producing and development for streaming networks. We seek candidates who can enhance our curriculum by using their expertise to help students develop compelling stories, encourage authentic voices, and provide mentoring and role models for an increasingly diverse student body who do not always see their perspectives represented on the large or small screen. Candidates should have a demonstrated capacity for professional practice in their areas, teaching experience, and a willingness to help build curriculum.  

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and creative credentials and be passionate about undergraduate and graduate education. Experience in teaching in an online environment is a plus. 

As a metropolitan campus with deep connections to Chicago's diverse media and information landscape, faculty and students in the School of Film and Television are part of a connected city-wide learning laboratory that prepares them to be empowered voices, deeply skilled artists and cultural producers, and leaders in the future of our collective media industries. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach at the undergraduate and graduate level in areas assigned including television and cinema writing and/or producing/development in various genres and forms.

• Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.

• Supervise and advise and mentor students.

• Contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.

• Commit to continuing professional development.

• Provide service to the college, profession and community.

• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college's mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. 

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information, please visit here.

Required Qualifications

• MFA, Doctorate or other terminal degree in film and television with an emphasis on screenwriting and producing.

Desired Qualifications

• Professional experience and college teaching experience are highly desirable, including significant professional experience in some of the following areas: 

• Television writing (episodic, serialized, streaming) 

• Feature or short film writing (produced or optioned scripts) 

• Television or film producing and development 

• Creative production of scripted series, web series, or streaming content 

• Experience working in writers' rooms or development environments 

• Ability to supervise, mentor, and advise undergraduate and graduate students 

Application
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

• A letter outlining the applicant's background, qualifications, and vision for the position.

• A curriculum vitae.

• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

• A statement of teaching philosophy.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

Position Minimum Annual Salary: $62,000.00

Position Maximum Annual Salary: $64,000.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago's South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.

• This is a non-union position.

• This position is overtime exempt.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.