Adjunct Instructor - SMO Entrepreneurial

Position Announcement

The SMO Entrepreneurial program is seeking an accomplished and passionate Adjunct Instructor to teach and mentor students in entrepreneurial thinking, venture creation, and real-world business application. This role is ideal for an experienced entrepreneur or practitioner who enjoys guiding students through hands-on, project-based learning experiences and helping them translate ideas into viable business models.

The Adjunct Instructor will deliver engaging instruction rooted in practical experience, foster innovation and resilience, and connect students with real-world entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Summary Of Responsibilities

The Adjunct Instructor - SMO Entrepreneurial plans and delivers engaging instruction focused on entrepreneurial principles, business model development, and venture creation. Responsibilities include facilitating hands-on projects, mentoring students through ideation and execution, assessing student performance, and integrating real-world business practices into coursework. The instructor promotes student-centered learning, connects students with industry mentors and community resources, and supports the mission and objectives of the SMO Entrepreneurial program.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Education, or a closely related field: OR currently working toward a master’s degree with anticipated completion by the end of 2026.
• 3–5 years of real-world entrepreneurial experience, such as:
• Launching or scaling startups
• Mergers & acquisitions
• Managing small businesses
• Product or service development
• Experience in venture-backed companies
• Industry experience in scalable services, freelancing, or food & beverage
• Experience teaching, mentoring, or facilitating workshops for students or early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Strong working knowledge of:
• Business model development
• Customer discovery
• MVP design
• Lean startup methodologies
• Proficiency with modern entrepreneurship tools such as Canva, Figma, Business Model Canvas, pitch decks, Excel, and basic financial modeling.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing funding (e.g., investor pitching, crowdfunding, grants).
• Knowledge of digital marketing, e-commerce platforms, and analytics tools.
• Demonstrated success in designing, launching, or scaling a venture.
• Experience guiding students through real-world projects, startup simulations, or capstone experiences.
• Familiarity with project-based and experiential learning methodologies.
• Established network within the startup or small business community (e.g., accelerators, investors, chambers of commerce).
• Strong passion for mentoring students and fostering creativity, resilience, and innovation.
  
  

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Entrepreneurial theory and practice, including lean startup, customer discovery, and MVP development.
• Business model development, value proposition design, and market validation.
• Fundamentals of small business operations, startups, and scalable service models.
• Industry-specific knowledge related to freelancing, scalable services, and food & beverage ventures.
• Basics of financial modeling, budgeting, pricing strategies, and revenue forecasting.
• Principles of digital marketing, e-commerce, and customer acquisition (preferred).
• Funding mechanisms such as angel investing, venture capital, crowdfunding, and grants.
• Project-based and experiential learning methodologies.
• Classroom learning theories and adult/student-centered education practices.
• Use of modern entrepreneurship tools (e.g., Business Model Canvas, pitch decks, Canva, Figma, Excel).
  
  

Skills

• Deliver engaging, clear, and structured instruction in both lecture and workshop formats.
• Translate real-world entrepreneurial experience into practical teaching examples.
• Facilitate hands-on projects, startup simulations, and capstone-style experiences.
• Coach students through ideation, validation, iteration, and presentation of business ideas.
• Provide constructive feedback on business plans, financials, and pitch decks.
• Assess student performance using rubrics and learning outcomes.
• Effectively present and communicate complex business concepts.
• Apply creative problem-solving in dynamic classroom and project environments.
• Manage classroom dynamics and student collaboration.
• Integrate external speakers, mentors, or community partners into coursework.
• Organize course materials, timelines, and deliverables efficiently.
• Use instructional and productivity technology to support learning.
  
  

Abilities

• Ability to inspire an entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and resilience in students.
• Ability to mentor students through ambiguity, iteration, and failure.
• Ability to connect theory with real-world application and industry relevance.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with program leadership.
• Ability to foster a respectful and supportive learning environment.
• Ability to build and leverage industry and community relationships for student benefit.
• Ability to manage time effectively in a part-time, adjunct instructional role.
• Ability to remain current with evolving entrepreneurial trends and tools.