Director of Simulation & Clinical Partnerships
A Director of Simulation and Clinical Partnerships leads simulation-based learning across nursing and allied health programs and builds the clinical networks that prepare students for practice. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates, drawn from a retained search for an accredited institution, that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a Director of Simulation and Clinical Partnerships do?
The Director leads the strategic development, integration, and advancement of simulation-based learning across nursing and allied health programs. The role is ideal for an academic innovator who can bridge classroom theory, hands-on simulation, and real-world clinical experience to strengthen student outcomes and meet accreditation standards.
The Director oversees all facets of the simulation learning environment, including lab operations, instructional design, and compliance with ACEN or CCNE expectations, while cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with hospital systems, clinical sites, and industry partners.
Simulation-based learning uses realistic clinical scenarios, often with manikins or standardized patients, to let students build competency in a safe setting before treating real patients. A clinical affiliation agreement is the formal contract that lets students complete supervised placements at a hospital or clinic, governed by accreditors such as ACEN and CCNE.
Who and what does this role connect?
What are the key responsibilities?
- Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of simulation education across all allied health and nursing programs.
- Manage simulation center personnel, equipment, and budget, ensuring alignment with institutional and accreditor requirements.
- Collaborate with faculty to integrate simulation into curricula and measure competency-based learning outcomes.
- Develop, negotiate, and maintain clinical affiliation agreements with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems.
- Ensure that all simulation and clinical partnerships support student placement needs, compliance requirements, and workforce readiness goals.
- Oversee faculty and staff training in simulation technology and debriefing best practices.
What qualifications are required?
- Master’s degree in Nursing, Health Education, or a related discipline, with a Doctorate preferred.
- RN licensure, if applicable to the program type.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in academic or clinical leadership roles, including simulation management.
- Demonstrated success in developing hospital or healthcare partnerships and advancing experiential education.
- Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.
ACEN and CCNE at a glance
Nursing programs align with one of two primary accreditors. Knowing which one governs the program shapes how simulation and clinical requirements are documented.
| Accreditor | Full name | Programs accredited |
|---|---|---|
| ACEN | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing | All levels, from practical and diploma to doctoral nursing programs |
| CCNE | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education | Baccalaureate and graduate degree nursing programs |
Why is this role important?
The Director of Simulation and Clinical Partnerships is central to aligning education with practice, making sure graduates enter the workforce clinically prepared and confident. By strengthening simulation capacity and expanding clinical networks, this leader directly shapes student competency, program quality, and institutional reputation.
A hiring note from Excelon
This role lives at the intersection of clinical credibility and relationship building. The candidates who succeed can hold their own with hospital executives during an affiliation negotiation, satisfy an ACEN or CCNE site visit, and still coach faculty through a debriefing. We look hard at a track record of opening and keeping clinical placements, because that network is what protects enrollment capacity.
Simulation builds the confidence; clinical partnerships provide the proving ground. A strong director has to be excellent at both.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Director of Simulation and Clinical Partnerships do?
The Director leads the strategic development, integration, and advancement of simulation-based learning across nursing and allied health programs, and oversees lab operations, instructional design, accreditation compliance, and relationships with hospital systems and clinical sites.
What qualifications are required?
This sample role calls for a master’s degree in nursing, health education, or a related discipline, with a doctorate preferred, RN licensure where applicable, and a minimum of five years in academic or clinical leadership including simulation management.
What are ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN is the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, which accredits nursing programs at all levels. CCNE is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, which accredits baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. Simulation and clinical programs must align with the relevant accreditor’s standards.
What is a clinical affiliation agreement?
A clinical affiliation agreement is a formal contract between a school and a hospital, clinic, or healthcare system that allows students to complete supervised clinical placements there. The Director develops, negotiates, and maintains these agreements.
Why does simulation matter in healthcare education?
Simulation lets students build and demonstrate competency in a safe environment before working with real patients. Strong simulation capacity and clinical networks shape student readiness, program quality, and the institution’s reputation.
Need to hire a Director of Simulation & Clinical Partnerships?
Excelon Associates recruits simulation and clinical education leaders for colleges and universities nationwide, connecting institutions with professionals who blend clinical expertise, academic innovation, and operational excellence to build high-impact programs and sustainable clinical networks.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.