Term Adjunct

Term Adjunct: Strategic Problem Solving and Insights (MBAS 839)

A Term Adjunct position is open at the Smith School of Business for an instructor to teach at our main campus in a lecture-style graduate course in the Master of Business Administration program. The position is to teach the Strategic Problem Solving and Insight Course, MBAS 839, which is an MBA elective taught during the summer term. Teaching the Strategic Problem Solving and Insight course will generally include teaching ten to twelve "three-hour" sessions from August 2026 to September 2026. The successful applicant will be required to teach 100% of one (1) section of MBAS 839 with an anticipated enrollment of approximately 50 students.

This is an MBA elective that focuses on the principles and practices of strategic problem-solving. The course is broadly applicable to students who want to use consulting principles – problem-solving, strategic influencing, executive communication – in their careers. Students will learn how to execute key consulting objectives, such as helping clients assess their current situation, setting strategic goals, establishing strategies, managing the implementation process, and ensuring the success and value creation of their recommendations. This course expands upon the research and presentation skills developed in the core and encourages students to critically evaluate their proposals by challenging the beliefs and assumptions behind their recommendations - competencies that are required of high-performing consultants and teams. Topics include: extracting actionable insights, applying consulting tools and techniques, developing multidisciplinary perspectives, change management, and effective communication to a variety of stakeholders. Each of these themes is explored through an in-depth analysis of the real-world problems faced by well-known global companies. Guest speakers will include consultants, current and former practitioners, and clients/key stakeholders, where students will have an opportunity to ask questions about how the skills they developed throughout the course can be applied in their careers, both inside and outside of consulting. Students are required to make a team presentation and complete both an individual and team project designed to simulate the work performed by consulting and strategy teams.

MBAS 839 – Strategic Problem Solving and Insights

This is an MBA elective that focuses on the principles and practices of strategic problem-solving. The course is broadly applicable to students who want to use consulting principles – problem-solving, strategic influencing, executive communication – in their careers. Students will learn how to execute key consulting objectives, such as helping clients assess their current situation, setting strategic goals, establishing strategies, managing the implementation process, and ensuring the success and value creation of their recommendations. This course expands upon the research and presentation skills developed in the core and encourages students to critically evaluate their proposals by challenging the beliefs and assumptions behind their recommendations - competencies that are required of high-performing consultants and teams. Topics include: extracting actionable insights, applying consulting tools and techniques, developing multidisciplinary perspectives, change management, and effective communication to a variety of stakeholders. Each of these themes is explored through an in-depth analysis of the real-world problems faced by well-known global companies. Guest speakers will include consultants, current and former practitioners, and clients/key stakeholders, where students will have an opportunity to ask questions about how the skills they developed throughout the course can be applied in their careers, both inside and outside of consulting. Students are required to make a team presentation and complete both an individual and team project designed to simulate the work performed by consulting and strategy teams.

Qualifications

Qualifications include: a Master’s degree or Ph.D., several years of familiarity and experience in strategic problem-solving, and experience teaching university courses.

Compensation

The salary for a term adjunct teaching one section of a course is $13,856 (excluding vacation pay). This salary is pro-rated based on course credit.

Smith School of Business

Smith School of Business is one of the world’s premier business schools, with an outstanding reputation for innovation and quality. Our MSc and PhD programs in Management attract highly qualified research-oriented students in many fields of study. Our undergraduate Commerce program has among the highest entrance standards in Canada, and is widely viewed as the country's best undergraduate business program. Queen’s has gained international recognition for its MBA and executive education programs, and is fully accredited by AACSB and EQUIS. The learning environment at Queen’s is supported by outstanding computing, library, and research facilities.

Smith School of Business has a number of established research centres and institutes that support a wide range of research interests, including the Institute for Sustainable Finance, Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Social Impact, and the Scotiabank Centre for Analytics & AI. It is a part of a world-class ecosystem in Analytics and AI that was awarded the 2020 Informs UPS George D. Smith Prize for Innovation in Higher Education. Smith is a member of the Council of Business & Society, an organization of leading business schools with global reach committed to positively changing the world at the crossroads of business, society, and the planet. We also have substantial ties to industry, government, non-profits, and other higher education institutions, including a large network of industry experts on the Smith Advisory Board, to enhance the impact of research, teaching, and service.

Smith School of Business is committed to cultivating a vibrant, diverse and inclusive academic and work environment rooted in a culture of mutual respect and equity, such that all members of our community feel safe, possess a strong sense of belonging, and are empowered to thrive.

Vaccination Requirements

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

Equity Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized/visible minority and Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority, including any qualified individuals who have a valid legal work status in Canada. Please indicate in your application if you have a valid legal work status in Canada. Applications from all qualified candidates will be considered in the applicant pool.

In addition, the impact of certain circumstances that may legitimately affect a nominee’s record of research achievement will be given careful consideration when assessing the nominee’s research productivity. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact adfaculty@queensu.ca.