"Instructor, Business Foundations - Non-Tenure Track"

Description

The Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University invites applications for a Instructor position on the Business Foundations Team. This role is central to our first-year and transition to sophomore student experience combining engaged classroom teaching with academic advising, mentoring, and collaborative retention strategy work. The ideal candidate brings a dynamic teaching presence, a genuine commitment to student success, and the ability to bridge academic learning with real-world business practice.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching & Curriculum

• Teach first-year business foundation courses, including core business principles, professional skills, and introduction to the business disciplines
• Design and deliver engaging, evidence-informed instruction that bridges theory and practice
• Integrate active learning, case-based teaching, and applied projects to foster critical thinking and student engagement
• Maintain current course materials aligned with evolving business trends and curriculum standards

Academic Advising & Mentoring

• Serve as an academic advisor for a designated caseload of first-year BSBA students
• Guide students through degree planning, course selection, and academic goal setting
• Provide proactive outreach and support to students at risk of academic difficulty
• Build meaningful mentoring relationships that support students' professional development and long-term success

Retention Strategy & Collaboration

• Participate in regular strategy meetings with the Associate Dean to assess retention data, identify patterns, and develop targeted interventions
• Collaborate with advising staff, faculty colleagues, and student services to create a cohesive, supportive first-year experience
• Contribute to the planning and execution of retention initiatives, including early alert programs, success workshops, and student engagement events
• Track and report on student progress metrics, providing qualitative insights from advising and classroom interactions

First-to-Sophomore Transition Support

• Design and implement structured transition programming to help first-year students successfully navigate the critical move into their sophomore year
• Monitor academic performance, course selection patterns, and engagement signals in the spring semester to identify students who may be considering departure or transfer
• Conduct intentional end-of-year advising conversations that affirm students' sense of belonging, reinforce their academic trajectory, and build commitment to returning
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean to develop targeted outreach strategies for at-risk students between the spring and fall semesters, including summer touchpoints and re-enrollment support
• Coordinate warm handoffs to sophomore-level advisors, faculty, and programs to ensure continuity of support beyond the first year
• Contribute to continuous improvement of transition programming by tracking outcomes and sharing qualitative and quantitative insights with the broader retention team

Service & Community

• Participate in departmental meetings, curriculum review processes, and school-wide initiatives
• Contribute to recruitment, orientation, and co-curricular programming efforts
• Engage with the Suffolk University and Boston business community to support experiential learning opportunities

Required

• Master's degree or higher in Business, Management, or a closely related field
• Minimum of 3 years of teaching experience at the college or university level
• Demonstrated effectiveness in undergraduate teaching with a learner-centered approach
• Experience with academic advising or student mentoring in a higher education setting
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to engage and motivate diverse student populations

Preferred

• Meaningful corporate or industry experience in business, consulting, finance, marketing, or related fields
• Familiarity with retention frameworks, early alert systems, or student success data practices
• Experience with AI literacy integration, experiential learning, or innovative pedagogical approaches
• Track record of cross-functional collaboration with administrators, staff, and faculty

About Suffolk University Sawyer Business School

Located in the heart of Boston, the Sawyer Business School prepares students to lead with purpose in a dynamic global economy. With a curriculum designed for the AI era, a faculty committed to immersive teaching, and strong ties to the Boston business community, Sawyer Business School is transforming business education. Our Business Foundations Team is at the center of this mission shaping the first-year experience and setting students on a path to academic success and professional growth.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter addressing teaching philosophy and relevant experience
• Current curriculum vitae
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (sample syllabus, course evaluations, or teaching statement)
• Contact information for three professional references

Salary

$69,905 - $116,511