About the Role

Excelon Associates has been retained by an accredited institution seeking a Director of Simulation and Clinical Partnerships to lead the strategic development, integration, and advancement of simulation-based learning across nursing and allied health programs. This role is designed for an academic innovator who understands how to 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, faculty training, and compliance with ACEN and CCNE expectations, while cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with hospital systems, clinical sites, and healthcare industry partners. Reporting to the Dean or Provost, this role carries significant influence over program quality, student readiness, and institutional reputation in the healthcare education space.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of simulation education across all allied health and nursing programs.
• Manage simulation center personnel, equipment, scheduling, and budget, ensuring alignment with institutional and accreditor requirements.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate simulation scenarios into program curricula and measure competency-based learning outcomes.
• Develop, negotiate, and maintain clinical affiliation agreements with hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, 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, scenario development, and evidence-based debriefing best practices.
• Evaluate simulation program effectiveness using data-driven assessment tools and student outcome metrics.
• Stay current with advances in simulation technology, healthcare education research, and accreditation requirements including ACEN and CCNE standards.
• Represent the institution at healthcare industry events, clinical partner meetings, and professional simulation education conferences.
• Lead grant-writing and resource development efforts to sustain and expand simulation program capacity.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing, Health Education, or a related discipline. Doctorate strongly preferred.
• Active RN licensure where applicable to program type and institutional requirements.
• Minimum five years of experience in academic or clinical leadership roles, including direct simulation management or clinical education coordination.
• Demonstrated success in developing and maintaining hospital or healthcare system partnerships that support student clinical placement.
• Strong understanding of ACEN and CCNE accreditation standards as they relate to simulation and clinical education requirements.
• Proven leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills in a complex academic or healthcare environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) or similar professional certification in simulation education.
• Experience with high-fidelity simulation platforms including Laerdal, CAE Healthcare, or equivalent systems.
• Background in curriculum design, instructional technology, and competency-based assessment frameworks.
• Experience managing multi-site clinical affiliation networks across diverse healthcare settings.
• Familiarity with clinical placement software and simulation program management tools.
• Track record of successful grant applications or external funding for simulation program development.

Why This Role Matters

The Director of Simulation and Clinical Partnerships is central to aligning education with clinical practice, ensuring graduates enter the healthcare workforce clinically prepared and confident. By strengthening simulation capacity and expanding clinical networks, this leader directly shapes student competency, program quality, and the institution’s reputation among healthcare employers and accrediting bodies.

As healthcare delivery grows more complex and clinical placement sites face increasing demand from competing programs, institutions that invest in strong simulation infrastructure and durable clinical partnerships gain a real advantage in both student outcomes and program sustainability. This role is the operational and strategic engine behind that advantage.

Retained Search by Excelon Associates

Excelon Associates is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Asheville, NC, with additional offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL. Since 2007 we have placed leaders across higher education, healthcare, financial services, and government. Our healthcare education practice covers nursing program leadership, allied health administration, clinical education, and simulation program management at institutions across the United States and internationally.

We support each search with a structured, confidential process, national candidate outreach, and deep sector knowledge. If your institution is seeking a Director of Simulation and Clinical Partnerships or a similar healthcare education leader, reach out to start a confidential conversation.