Adjunct – Emergency Management for Business Industry: Business Continuity

OVERVIEW

The University of St. Thomas invites applications for an adjunct faculty member to teach Emergency Management for Business Industry: Business Continuity in the graduate Emergency and Disaster Management program during Spring 2028. This is an 8-week, fully online, asynchronous course. Learn more about the Master of Science degree in Emergency and Disaster Management at the following website: MS Emergency and Disaster Management.

The successful candidate will bring relevant academic expertise and/or professional experience in business continuity, emergency management, organizational resilience, risk management, disaster recovery, or a related field.

This course explores Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Emergency Management (EM), equipping students with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement strategies that strengthen organizational resilience. Key topics include risk assessment, business impact analysis (BIA), crisis communication, disaster recovery, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Through real-world case studies involving events such as Hurricane Katrina, the September 11 attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and cybersecurity incidents, students will examine organizational responses to crises and identify lessons learned and best practices. The course emphasizes practical application and hands-on learning, culminating in the development of a comprehensive business continuity and emergency response plan.

The ideal candidate will be able to connect business continuity principles and emergency management frameworks with real-world organizational challenges, preparing students to anticipate disruptions, minimize operational impacts, and support organizational recovery.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver graduate-level course content for an 8-week, online, asynchronous course.
• Integrate relevant industry standards, current research, professional experience, and real-world case studies into course materials.
• Guide students in conducting risk assessments and business impact analyses and developing business continuity, emergency response, and disaster recovery plans.
• Address crisis communication strategies and organizational responses to disruptions.
• Incorporate applicable regulatory requirements and industry best practices in business continuity and emergency management.
• Evaluate student learning through applied assignments and case study analyses.
• Provide timely feedback and maintain regular communication with students throughout the course

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

Salary Range: $1,000-$5,600 depending on student enrollment

Initial Course Development: $4,000

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must hold a master's degree in one of the relevant disciplines listed below or a closely related field and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Professional experience: At least 10 years of relevant professional experience; or
• Scholarly achievement: A sustained record of scholarly achievement demonstrated by at least four academic works, such as peer-reviewed publications, books, book chapters, funded research, or other recognized scholarly contributions.

Relevant professional experience may include business continuity planning, corporate emergency management, disaster recovery, organizational resilience, risk management, crisis management, operational resilience, or related areas.

Related Disciplines

Business Administration, Business Continuity Management, Emergency Management, Disaster Management, Risk Management, Crisis Management, Organizational Resilience, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Engineering, Public Policy, or other closely related fields.

Preferred Areas of Expertise

Preference may be given to candidates with expertise or professional experience in business continuity planning and implementation, risk assessment and business impact analysis, organizational resilience, crisis communication, disaster recovery, emergency response planning, supply chain risk management, cybersecurity-related business disruptions, and applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards, including ISO 22301.

Application Instructions

Applications should be submitted by December 1, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

Interested candidates should submit a current curriculum vitae or résumé and a cover letter highlighting their relevant academic credentials, professional experience, and qualifications to teach the course.

Applicants may also include information about teaching experience, online instruction, scholarly publications, research, or other professional accomplishments. Application materials should demonstrate how the candidate’s background and expertise align with the course content and minimum qualification requirements.

The University of St. Thomas welcomes applications from qualified professionals and scholars who can bring relevant expertise and practical perspectives to graduate education in emergency and disaster management.