Professor of Practice in Finance

JOB TITLE

Professor of Practice in Finance

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Business School

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is seeking an accomplished professional for a full-time position as Professor of Practice in Financial Technology and to serve as the Director of the Wall Street FinTech Project Center, beginning in Fall 2025. The dual role of this position offers an exciting opportunity to leverage WPI's strengths in financial technology and shape the future of FinTech education. The primary responsibilities of this position will be (1) teaching undergraduate and graduate finance classes; (2) directing the FinTech Project Center and building industry partnerships; (3) identifying and securing high-quality projects for students, collaborating with academic advisors to ensure projects meet both industry standards and academic requirements; and (4) leading the student led investment fund.

WPI is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We are looking for candidates who can support our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Required Qualifications: 

A master’s degree or higher in a closely related discipline.

Extensive experience in the FinTech industry or related areas.

Strong understanding of current trends and emerging technologies in the FinTech sector.

Strong knowledge of the investment sector and working experience with investment funds

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage both students and industry partners.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Strong connections with the financial technology industry (e.g. Mass FinTech Hub) and extensive experience in industry engagement and partnership building.

Demonstrated success in working with interdisciplinary project teams.

A track record of excellence in teaching finance courses.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To receive full consideration, applicants must apply electronically through WPI’s employment portal and complete all required fields and submit any required documents. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the search will continue until the position is filled.

Required Documents:

1. A cover letter that specifically highlights your qualifications and experience as they relate to the position description

2. Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae

3. A list of names, telephone numbers, and email addresses for three references

4. Evidence of teaching excellence if available

Initial interviews will be conducted in person and online via Zoom. We will also conduct interviews at the 2024 Financial Management Association (FMA) meetings in Dallas, TX.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

About WPI: WPI is a vibrant, active, and diverse private university with extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, and state of the art research facilities. Ranked highly by US News & World Report among national comprehensive universities, WPI enrolls over 4,000 undergraduates and over 2,000 graduate students and enjoys close working relationships with many corporations, due in part to its project-enriched curriculum that engages students and faculty in real-world problem solving. WPI was ranked first in the nation in the 2016 The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Ranking for the category of "The Top Faculties; Schools that do the Best in Combining Scholarly Research with Classroom Instruction."

About the Business School: The Business school at WPI is not your average business school. As the business school of a premier technological university, the Business School builds on the strengths of WPI by integrating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into the curriculum and encouraging interdisciplinary scholarship.

The Business School has been ranked in the top 10 by several organizations, including The Princeton Review Best MBA Programs for Management, Poets & Quants Best Online MBA Programs, and Times Higher Education World University Rankings for Business and Economics Research Citations.

About the Wall Street FinTech Project Center: The Wall Street FinTech Project Center at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Business School represents a leading-edge venture that underscores the institute's dedication to financial technology education and project-based learning. Under the guidance of Prof. Rob Sarnie, the center exemplifies how collaborative efforts among faculty, visionary leadership, and the generosity of donors can create a fertile ground for interdisciplinary fintech projects to flourish. Central to the project center's success is the Arthur Gerstenfeld Endowed Fund, established to honor Professor Arthur Gerstenfeld's visionary contributions and relentless dedication. With significant support from Scott Burton and other major contributors, the center has adeptly navigated various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing remarkable resilience and growth.

This initiative offers students a unique opportunity to tackle real-world fintech challenges, working on solutions that impact a wide range of industry sectors such as leading financial firms, banks, venture capital, startups, and more. Through this innovative platform, the Wall Street FinTech Project Center continues to contribute significantly to the field of financial technology, preparing students for the complexities of the modern financial landscape.

About the region: With over 200 universities in a 100-mile radius, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in the greater Boston area which is known for its dynamic academic environment, thriving economy, rich culture, and quality of life.
 

Diversity & Inclusion at WPI

WPI is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected; a place where every student, faculty and staff member can be themselves, so that they can study, live, and work comfortably, to reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions in order to meet departmental and institutional goals. WPI thrives on innovative practice and welcomes diverse perspectives, insight, and people from diverse lived experiences, to enhance the community environment and propel the institution to the next level in a competitive, global marketplace.

To enrich education through diversity, WPI is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals with​ diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.