Adjunct Lecturer, Finance and Accounting for Managers, (On-Campus, Spring 2027 & Future Semesters)

Company Description

Columbia University has been a leader in higher education in the nation and around the world for more than 250 years. At the core of our wide range of academic inquiry is the commitment to attract and engage the best minds in pursuit of greater human understanding, pioneering new discoveries, and service to society.

The School of Professional Studies at Columbia University offers innovative and rigorous programs that integrate knowledge across disciplinary boundaries, combine theory with practice, leverage the expertise of our students and faculty, and connect global constituencies. Through twenty professional master's degrees, courses for advancement and graduate school preparation, certificate programs, summer courses, high school programs, and a program for learning English as a second language, the School of Professional Studies transforms knowledge and understanding in service of the greater good.

Job Description

Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) seeks candidates for the role of Adjunct Lecturer to teach Finance and Accounting for Managers, a graduate-level course in the M.S. in Project Management program.

This course provides a foundational understanding of accounting and finance principles essential for effective management and decision-making across industries. Students will explore core topics such as financial reporting, managerial accounting, budgeting, internal controls, and financial statement analysis, while also examining issues of taxation, investment, and risk. Emphasis is placed on interpreting financial information for strategic planning, resource allocation, and performance evaluation, with attention to ethical and regulatory considerations in financial decision-making. Through case studies, applied exercises, and guest lectures, students will develop the financial literacy and analytical skills necessary to lead projects and organizations with confidence and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead in-person class lectures, instructional activities, and classroom discussions
• Evaluate student work and assignments
• Monitor student concerns and inquiries and serve as the first point of contact for student questions
• Hold weekly office hours
• Prepare, maintain, and enhance the course in Canvas, Columbia University’s learning management system
• Adjunct Lecturers who are new to SPS must complete Canvas training
• Attend program faculty meetings
• If assigned to design the course, additional responsibilities include:
  • Develop course objectives that align with program-wide learning outcomes
  • Create activity maps tying course activities to objectives, ensuring industry relevance
  • Draft a detailed syllabus (course description, schedule, grading rubric, and assessments) for review and approval by the Program Curriculum Committee and the Committee on Instruction (COI)
  • Collaborate with Instructional Design to develop course materials through a consultative process. This includes partnering on course development (aligning objectives, materials, and assessments), creating dynamic instructional media (videos, infographics, and interactive resources), maintaining established courses with updates and troubleshooting, and receiving just-in-time assistance for targeted needs

Serving as an Adjunct Lecturer provides an outstanding opportunity to educate and mentor students as well as to form a rewarding professional relationship with Columbia University’s world-class faculty.

Qualifications

Columbia University SPS operates under a scholar-practitioner faculty model, which enables students to learn from faculty that have outstanding academic training as well as a record of accomplishment as practitioners in an applied industry setting.

• A master’s degree in finance, accounting, business management, project management or other related disciplines

• At least 15 years of industry experience with a focus on project management and leadership in complex organizational environments

• Strong communication and problem solving skills and an ability to multi-task

Preferred Skills & Experience

• A terminal degree in one of the above mentioned disciplines

• 2+ years graduate-level university teaching experience

• Professional project management certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, etc.)

Additional Information

Compensation Range - $10,000 - $15,000 per semester-length course.

Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until positions are filled.

All applicants, please provide:

• A resume/CV inclusive of university teaching experience -- highlight teaching at the graduate level

• A cover letter indicating why you are interested in teaching this program

• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., student evaluations of teaching, teaching observation summaries, etc.)

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran