Search Authorization & Planning

The search process begins with leadership approval to explore a future faculty hire.

Communication strategies may vary by Schools/Arts & Sciences and may include a Search Authorization Memo.

Every faculty search warrants a thoughtful recruitment plan. It is strongly recommended that Deans and their leadership teams establish search timeline expectations and recruiting budgets well in advance of the search. These steps can avoid search-related delays, which can impede hiring.

Recruitment Plan

Early in the process and before posting a position, the Deans and search committee should consider a recruitment strategy that is designed to produce a diverse and inclusive applicant pool. Search Committees

should explore potential advertising avenues and costs and networking plans and coordinate details with the Search Liaison.

Recruiting plan options include, but are not limited to:

• General advertising, such as the Chronicle job board
• Discipline-appropriate networking and advertising
• Free or paid listserv announcements
• Proactive recruiting
• Brief email announcements with application links, sent to specific program leaders at other institutions
• Outreach targeting historically underrepresented groups, as defined by the affirmative action plan; groups may include veterans, racial or ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities.
• Conference recruiting

Advertising

Advertising and recruiting plans optimally launch on the posting date. Advertising proofs must be retained and ultimately submitted alongside other search documents. See Recruitment Documents section.

Paid advertising may be purchased through the university-approved ad agency, Graystone. Click here for the Graystone advertising request form. For FY25-26, the university will purchase and automatically place ads in HigherEdJobs.

All external advertisements should include the university EEO statement: EEO is the Law.  Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

If the department wishes to potentially hire individuals who may need visa sponsorship, please review Reves Center guidelines for advertising.