As one of the most comprehensive design colleges in the country, the College of Designâ™s vision is to be the recognized leader in advancing transformative thinking and practice, and reinventing our disciplines and professions for a new century.

To prepare our students to confront the real challenges of our time, every College of Design graduate from the University of Minnesota will:

• Be able to apply design thinking as a way to address issues big and small confronting the local and world community
• Understand and be prepared for the social, environmental, and economic ramifications of each problem they address and every decision they make in their work
• Not only be able to conceive unique ideas, but be capable of implementing those ideas through actionable plans, projects, or strategies.

The Department of Design Innovation (DESI) in the College welcomes applications for Part-Time Instructors to teach designated courses based on the following areas according to the needs of the program:

• Retail buying
• Retail management
• Visual merchandising
• Retail environments 
• Omnichannel retailing
• International retailing
• Sourcing and supply chain management
• Consumer behaviors
• Digital marketing and branding
• Retail data analytics

Applications are reviewed as openings occur, and individual applicants are invited to interview when their skills or areas of expertise match an opening. This posting is designed to establish a pool of instructors. Applications will be reviewed when openings occur throughout the academic year/summer

Current Openings in the Department:

We especially encourage and seek professionals with experience teaching or working in the retail industry to apply. Courses cover a variety of topics from visual merchandising to international retail markets.

Successful applicants will have a deep understanding of retail management and marketing in the dynamic current environment (preferably through applied experiences), which enables them to teach retail and consumer studies courses to undergraduates at all levels within the College of Design and across the University. Desired degree requirements are a Bachelorâ™s or Masterâ™s and at least 5 years of industry experience in retail, consumer-centric business, or a related field, or a terminal degree comparable to PhD in retail or a related field.

Appointment Details

This is a temporary, non-tenured, Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) position, paid on a per course basis. These appointments are typically arranged semester by semester and employment is contingent upon the course meeting its enrollment target.
 

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional delivery based on the course objectives and student learning outcomes defined by the program faculty and within the time scheduled for the course(s).
• Teach class each week as scheduled and deliver course content. 
• Hold office hours each week to allow students access outside of the classroom.
• This position is contributing to and supporting the mission of our land-grant institution.

Required Qualifications

• A Master's or Bachelor's degree. 
• At least 5 years working professionally in the subject field or a closely related discipline.
• Experience working professionally in the retail or related industry.
• Evidence of competence to teach in the content area.
• Proven excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• A terminal degree in your subject field in retail and consumer studies or a closely related discipline.
• Professional teaching experience with a focus in retail and consumer studies.
• Technologically innovative approach to teaching.
• Experience working collaboratively with academic departments and in the community.
   

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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