Academic Program Support/Adjunct Lecturer, Client Communications

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 eighteen 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.

Columbia University School of Professional Studies seeks candidates for the role of Academic Program Support, a part-time administrative appointment to design and as a part-time Lecturer to teach the 6-week Client Communications portion of the 12-week graduate-level course, Insurance Planning and Client Communications in the school’s Master of Professional Studies degree program in Wealth Management. Scholar-practitioners with relevant academic and industry experience are invited to apply. 

Insurance Planning and Client Communications is a redesigned 12-week course that integrates two critical areas of advanced wealth management: technical insurance planning and strategic client communication. The 6-week Client Communications segment is designed for experienced advisors seeking to deepen client relationships and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. This advanced module goes beyond foundational communication skills to tackle high-level scenarios such as recovering from mistakes, managing difficult family or spousal dynamics, and building trust through transparency, empathy, and credibility.

In addition to client-facing strategies, this segment will continue to expand advisor self-awareness and counter-transference concerns which were initially addressed in the Financial Psychology course. This section will include additional strategies and practices for how to identify and manage personal biases that may unconsciously influence decision-making, communication, or relationship-building. As artificial intelligence increasingly supports data-driven recommendations, the human role in contextualizing and interpreting those outputs becomes more critical. Advisors will examine how their own perspectives and assumptions shape client interactions, and how these biases can impact trust, service, and outcomes in a tech-enhanced advisory environment.

The course also covers the strategic use of communication technology to foster meaningful engagement and deliver scalable, personalized service. Participants will learn how to align communication approaches with business goals, using digital platforms to support both relationship development and operational efficiency.

Finally, the Client Communications segment integrates communication with business development and practice management. Topics include advanced sales techniques, lead tracking, funnel management, and measuring the ROI of client-facing efforts. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to lead a modern, human-centric advisory practice that leverages both digital tools and deep interpersonal insight.

The ideal candidate will bring both subject matter expertise and real-world experience to prepare students for the complex interpersonal and business challenges of today’s wealth management environment.

Roles

This position will involve two components. First, the candidate will be appointed as Academic Program Support to lead in developing the course syllabus, sourcing course materials, and producing content for online modules during a 16-week review cycle--from September – December 2025, and record the videos and create the online content in the Canvas Learning Management system from January 2026 - May 2026.

The candidate will then be appointed as an adjunct Lecturer to teach the course in an online format in a 6-week semester schedule during the second-half of the summer of 2026.

The Wealth Management program is online and asynchronous, designed for the convenience of working professionals. This program will allow students to complete the education requirement for the CFP® certification. Students have the flexibility to watch pre-recorded lectures and presentations, stream video content, access virtual libraries, and participate in structured virtual group activities and discussions.

Serving as an adjunct Lecturer provides an outstanding opportunity to educate and mentor students in the field of wealth management as well as to form a rewarding professional relationship with Columbia University’s world-class faculty. Candidates should have a demonstrated understanding of applied trends that are driving best practice in the field.

Responsibilities

• Pre-record lectures and presentations for students to watch

• Lead preparation of course materials focused on problem-based learning, including overseeing the course Canvas web page (learning management system) and assigning reading and projects designed to meet the learning objectives of the class

• Ensure that the curriculum incorporates the relevant CFP® required topics

• Monitor and respond to student concerns and inquiries; conduct at least 2 hours of weekly office hours

• Evaluate and grade student assessments and work

• Participate regularly in the bi-monthly lecturer online meetings

• Attend the three day in-person residencies (August and December)

Columbia University SPS operates under a scholar-practitioner faculty model, inviting candidates who combine robust academic expertise with substantial industry experience to enhance student learning through real-world perspective.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher with a focus in finance, wealth management, financial planning, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated expertise and advanced knowledge in financial planning and wealth management, including but not limited to: accounting, corporate finance, investment planning, insurance planning, tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning.

• Substantial professional experience working with ultra-high net worth individuals and/or families, preferably within wealth management firms or family office settings.

• Solid understanding of wealth management business models and the contemporary landscape of advisory practices.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of direct professional experience in financial planning, wealth management, or family office advisory roles, with a track record of advancing client relationships and managing complex interpersonal dynamics.

• At least 2 years of experience teaching or leading educational programs in a university or graduate-level setting, preferably in a related discipline.

• Expertise in advanced client communication tailored to wealth management.

• Familiarity with financial psychology concepts, including self-awareness and bias management, especially with respect to decision-making and client interaction.

• Experience with the strategic use of digital communication tools and platforms to engage clients, deliver personalized service, and support business development, including lead generation, funnel management, and ROI assessment of client-facing efforts.

• Ability to integrate communication theory with business development practices, and to teach the application of technology in client engagement and practice management.

• Commitment to preparing students for the interpersonal, ethical, and technological complexities of today’s modern and human-centric advisory practices.

• Candidates should have a passion for teaching, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to connect academic material to contemporary industry practices. Those with both practical leadership experience in wealth management and instructional or curriculum design expertise are especially encouraged to apply.

• Solid knowledge and academic foundation as it relates to theories, principles, and practices of wealth management.

• Deep and current knowledge of the CFP® curriculum, with the ability to integrate these technical topics into applied educational scenarios.

Compensation - $4,492 for the two-cycle course development in Fall ‘25 and Spring '26 ; $8,115 for summer ‘26 course delivery.

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

All applicants, please provide:

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

• Please submit any evidence of teaching effectiveness (Students Evaluation of Teaching results, Teaching Observation summaries, etc.)

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.