| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Education and Teaching |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Head of Department (College) |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 5+ years of industry or teaching experience in the subject taught |
Visiting Faculty job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Visiting Faculty
Department: Education and Teaching
Reports to: Head of Department (College)
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Visiting Faculty member teaches specific courses or lectures at a college or coaching institute without holding a full-time post. Most are industry professionals, retired teachers or practitioners paid per lecture or per course, who bring current practice into the classroom. They answer to the Head of Department or the course's academic head. A good visiting faculty member turns up for every scheduled lecture, covers the syllabus in the allotted hours and submits marks and records on time, like permanent staff.
Key responsibilities
- Deliver the allotted lectures or course modules on the dates and times fixed in the department timetable.
- Prepare a session plan for the agreed course hours and share it with the HoD before the course starts.
- Bring case studies, live projects and examples from current industry practice into each session.
- Set and evaluate assignments, quizzes or internal tests for the course, and submit marks by the deadline.
- Record student attendance for each lecture in the college ERP or attendance register.
- Share slides, readings and references with students through the learning management system.
- Guide student projects or dissertations in the area of expertise when the department requests it.
- Tell the HoD about any rescheduling in advance, and make up missed lectures within the same semester.
- Submit the monthly lecture log with the claim form so the per-lecture fee can be processed.
- Help the placement cell with industry contacts, internships or mock interviews where possible.
Requirements
- Postgraduate degree or professional qualification in the subject, such as CA, MBA or M.Tech
- Industry or teaching experience that meets the institution's norms for guest faculty
- Earlier corporate training or teaching experience is an advantage
- 5+ years of industry or teaching experience in the subject taught
KRAs and KPIs for a Visiting Faculty
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Lecture delivery | All contracted lecture hours delivered within the semester, with missed sessions made up |
| Punctuality | Lectures start within 5 minutes of the scheduled time |
| Assessment | Internal marks submitted before the university or institute deadline |
| Student feedback | Course feedback at or above the department average |
| Industry relevance | At least two case studies or live examples used in every module |
| Records | Session plan and monthly lecture log submitted for the whole engagement |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: PowerPoint, Learning management system, College ERP attendance, Video meeting tools, MS Excel, Industry software used in the course.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Professor of Practice, Adjunct Faculty, Assistant Professor
Interview questions for a Visiting Faculty
- Which course could you teach, and how would you cover it in 30 hours?
- Give us a five-minute sample of how you would use a real case in class.
- How will you manage lectures if your job needs travel?
- How would you assess students fairly in a course of only eight sessions?
- What will you do if students' basics are weaker than you expected?
- How do you keep your course material current each semester?
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What is visiting faculty in a college?
Visiting faculty are teachers engaged for specific courses or lectures rather than a full-time post. They are usually industry professionals, consultants or retired academics who teach a set number of hours each semester. Colleges use them to bring practical expertise and to cover courses where full-time faculty are short.
How are visiting faculty paid?
Most visiting faculty are paid per lecture hour or per course, at the rate fixed in their engagement letter. They submit a lecture log or claim each month, which the department verifies before payment. Rates and tax treatment depend on the institution and whether the engagement is a contract for services.
What is the difference between visiting faculty and guest faculty?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Some institutions use guest faculty for someone who delivers a few sessions or a single talk, and visiting faculty for someone who teaches a full course through a semester. Both are part-time and outside the regular faculty cadre.