What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Co-Lead & Faculty, MBAi position at Harrisburg University?
Please consider being within a commutable distance of Harrisburg, PA. This position requires participation in on-site executive teaching sessions two weekends per semester.
Help Shape the Future of Business Leadership in the Age of AI!
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is seeking an accomplished business leader, entrepreneur, or experienced business professional to serve as the Program Co-Lead for its emerging Master of Business Administration in Artificial Intelligence (MBAi) program.
We are looking for an individual who brings substantial real-world business experience, strong leadership capabilities, and a forward-thinking perspective on how artificial intelligence is transforming modern organizations.
Our ideal candidate is someone who has experienced the challenges and opportunities of business firsthand—whether by building and growing companies, managing business operations, leading organizational transformation, developing business strategies, or serving in executive leadership positions.
While a strong understanding of artificial intelligence and its business applications is important, the primary emphasis of this position is on business expertise, strategic management, entrepreneurship, and practical leadership. The Program Lead will collaborate with an AI-focused co-lead and faculty experts who will contribute specialized technical knowledge to the curriculum and program development.
This is an opportunity for an experienced business professional to help shape an innovative graduate program that prepares future leaders to make informed business decisions,
recognize emerging opportunities, and successfully navigate an increasingly AI-enabled economy.
About the MBAi Program
The MBAi is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to combine the essential foundations of business administration with the strategic applications of artificial intelligence.
The program emphasizes practical business knowledge and managerial decision-making while introducing students to the opportunities, challenges, and implications of AI in organizational environments.
Key areas of focus include:
- Business Strategy, Management, and Competitive Advantage
- Finance, Economics, and Business Decision-Making
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Business Development
- Marketing, Operations, and Organizational Performance
- Leadership and Organizational Change
- Artificial Intelligence for Business Leaders
- AI-Enabled Business Transformation and Automation
- Business Analytics and Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Ethical and Responsible AI Governance
- Applied Business Projects and Industry Collaboration
The program is designed to serve a diverse population of learners, including business professionals, entrepreneurs, technical specialists, career changers, and individuals seeking to develop their business knowledge and leadership capabilities in an AI-driven environment.
Primary Responsibilities
The Program Co-Lead will provide academic and strategic leadership for the MBAi program, ensuring a strong business foundation, practical relevance, academic quality, and alignment with emerging industry needs.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Program Leadership and Development: Lead the academic direction, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the MBAi program, ensuring that its curriculum reflects sound business principles, current industry practices, and evolving market demands.
- Curriculum Development: Guide the development and integration of graduate-level business courses in management, finance, economics, marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational leadership, incorporating relevant AI applications where appropriate.
- Collaboration with AI Co-Lead: Work closely with the program's AI-focused co-lead and other faculty to integrate artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, and emerging technologies into the MBA curriculum while maintaining a strong emphasis on business and management education.
- Teaching and Student Engagement: Teach graduate-level business courses, incorporating practical examples, industry experiences, business case studies, and experiential learning activities that connect academic concepts with real organizational challenges.
- Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation: Promote entrepreneurial thinking, business development, innovation, and the practical application of emerging technologies in established businesses and new ventures.
- Industry Engagement and Partnerships: Develop and maintain relationships with business leaders, entrepreneurs, corporations, and industry organizations to support curriculum relevance, experiential learning, professional networking, and program growth.
- Capstone and Applied Learning: Guide and mentor students in applied business projects, consulting engagements, and capstone experiences that address real-world organizational challenges and opportunities.
- Faculty Collaboration and Coordination: Work with faculty across academic programs to identify existing courses and institutional resources that can support the MBAi curriculum, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and efficient use of university resources.
- Program Growth and Strategic Initiatives: Support student recruitment, program promotion, employer engagement, and the development of professional certificates, executive education opportunities, and other educational pathways aligned with the MBAi program.
- Academic Quality and Assessment: Participate in curriculum reviews, learning-outcome assessment, program evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives to maintain academic rigor and student success.
- University Engagement: Participate in executive sessions, academic meetings, university events, professional activities, and collaborative initiatives that support the mission and strategic priorities of Harrisburg University.
- Additional Responsibilities: Undertake other related academic, administrative, professional, and program development activities consistent with the evolving needs of the MBAi program, the School, and the University.
Required Qualifications
- Substantial Business Experience: Demonstrated experience in business leadership, executive management, entrepreneurship, business ownership, consulting, or organizational management, with a strong record of practical accomplishments and professional responsibility.
- Business and Management Expertise: Strong understanding of fundamental business functions, including business strategy, financial management, marketing, operations, organizational leadership, and business development.
- Leadership Experience: Proven ability to lead organizations, business units, teams, or significant strategic initiatives, with experience addressing complex business challenges and implementing practical solutions.
- Artificial Intelligence Awareness: Solid understanding of the opportunities, limitations, and business implications of artificial intelligence, including its role in improving productivity, decision-making, innovation, and competitive advantage.
- Academic Qualifications: A graduate degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or a closely related discipline. A doctorate (PhD or DBA) is preferred. Faculty appointments are subject to the University's academic credentialing requirements.
- Teaching and Mentoring Ability: Demonstrated ability or strong potential to teach, mentor, and engage graduate students, translating business experience into effective educational experiences.
- Communication and Collaboration: Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with academic colleagues, industry professionals, and students from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience as a business founder, entrepreneur, business owner, CEO, COO, CFO, senior executive, or business consultant.
- Demonstrated success in developing business strategies, launching products or services, managing financial performance, improving operations, or growing organizations.
- Experience implementing or overseeing AI-enabled business initiatives, digital transformation projects, or technology-driven business innovation.
- Experience developing partnerships with businesses, professional organizations, or industry leaders.
- Experience in academic program leadership, curriculum development, graduate teaching, or executive education.
- Experience mentoring entrepreneurs, business professionals, or graduate students through applied projects and real-world business challenges.
- An established professional network within the business, entrepreneurship, technology, or innovation community.
- Familiarity with contemporary AI tools and their practical applications across business functions.
What Makes This Opportunity Unique?
At Harrisburg University, we believe effective business education must connect academic knowledge with the realities of today's business environment.
The MBAi Program Co-Lead will have an opportunity to contribute directly to the development of a new interdisciplinary graduate program while helping establish meaningful
connections between academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.
We particularly value candidates who can bring firsthand business experience into the
classroom, challenge students to think critically, and demonstrate how strategic decisions are made in real organizational settings.
The successful candidate will work alongside AI specialists and other faculty to create an educational experience that combines strong business foundations, practical leadership, and a clear understanding of AI's transformative potential.
Application Materials
Interested candidates should submit:
- A cover letter highlighting relevant business leadership, entrepreneurial, or executive experience and interest in the position.
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- A brief statement describing their approach to teaching, mentoring, and bringing real-world business experience into graduate education.
- Examples of significant business accomplishments, leadership initiatives, entrepreneurial ventures, or relevant professional projects.
Salary : $100,000 - $120,000