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
Salary Transparency
Suffolk University provides salary ranges as a good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for a role at the time the position is posted. The actual salary offered to the selected candidate will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, the position’s scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s experience, education, training, and applicable legal requirements. The listed pay range reflects base salary only and does not include additional benefits or compensation.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Suffolk University does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, genetic information, or status as a veteran in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs, activities, or employment.
As an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, the University is dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive faculty and staff that reflect the broad range of human experience who contribute to the robust exchange of ideas on campus, and who are committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment. We strongly encourage applications from groups historically marginalized or underrepresented because of race/color, gender, religious creed, disability, national origin, veteran status or LGBTQ status. Suffolk University is especially interested in candidates who, through their training, service and experience, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the University community.
