"Executive Director of Experiential Learning"

Executive Director of Experiential Learning

Company: University of Oklahoma Health Campus

Job Location:

Category: Nursing

Type: Full-Time

The University of Oklahoma Health Campus (OUHC) The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist the University of Oklahoma Health Campus, Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, in its search for Executive Director of Experiential Learning.

For full consideration, please apply by January 12, 2026.

Join one of the nation’s premier academic health centers and shape the future of nursing education across a growing, multi-campus system, as Executive Director of Experiential Learning (Executive Director). The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus (OUHC) offers an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished leader in simulation and experiential learning to provide impact at scale, spanning five (soon to be six) learning sites and engaging in transformative interprofessional collaboration across health disciplines. This is a pivotal leadership role for someone who brings both executive-level perspective and hands-on simulation expertise to elevate excellence in teaching, learning, and innovation.

OU’s College of Nursing is nationally recognized for its innovative simulation programs, having earned INACSL Standards Endorsement, the only program in Oklahoma and one of just a few worldwide to achieve this distinction. The Executive Director, working under the leadership of Dean Craft, will have the support of a highly skilled core faculty and oversight of the simulation and lab operating budget, providing a strong foundation to advance simulation-based learning and educational innovation. The College continues to make significant investments in simulation and laboratory infrastructure, including a recent $4 million lab refurbishment and ongoing upgrades across all sites. Programs have also been expanded to meet Oklahoma’s health care workforce needs, including the state’s first public university CRNA track and a shortened accelerated BSN program. The College’s research profile is rising as well. OU secured $75.2 million in NIH funding for FY 2024, moving up to 102nd among 2,838 institutions nationwide in NIH rankings. It is one of only a few comprehensive academic health centers in the country that consolidates all seven health professions colleges, offering rich opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall quality, strategy, and implementation of simulation and experiential learning across all OU College of Nursing locations. They provide strategic leadership for experiential learning within the undergraduate and graduate programs, oversee operational and administrative functions including the budget and financial planning; grants and contracts; employee management, development, and engagement; internal and external communication; and implement policies, procedures, and programs in support of college objectives and to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of daily operations, administrative affairs and support, and stakeholder engagement. The Executive Director will collaborate with the Assistant Deans of Academic Affairs, Program Directors, the Associate Dean for Research and PhD Studies, the Executive Director of Student Affairs, the Experiential Learning staff, and other college leadership and membership as appropriate.

This is a 12-month faculty position reporting to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. It carries approximately 80% administrative release time, negotiated annually based on the demands of the role and the needs of the College.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teaching/Learning
• Oversee Experiential Learning for both Undergraduate and Graduate Programs at all College of Nursing sites
• Collaborate with Assistant Deans and faculty to develop educational innovations in clinical simulation
• Support and guide clinical education faculty related to their faculty appointment, teaching assignments, etc., as related to experiential learning; Anticipates and requests additional faculty hires as needed to support simulation processes
• Student Support
• Collaborate with Department Chairs, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to ensure an excellent student experience that prepares graduates to succeed in meeting their life and career goals, consistent with student experience
• Operations
• In collaboration with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean of Finance and Administration, develop and manage the budget for experiential learning
• Ensure financial accountability for operating budget and capital purchases for clinical simulation enterprise
• Oversee simulation operations on all learning sites, including the development of new sites
• Analyze and report relevant data to the College Dean, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and standing committees as needed
• Participate in ongoing evaluation and improvement of the simulation program
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety, regulatory, and accreditation standards, including maintaining documentation and records as required
• Oversee the development and delivery of ongoing professional development related to simulation and experiential learning
• University, Campus, and Community Relations
• Demonstrate effective, collaborative, and civil communication patterns with students, stakeholders, faculty, and staff
• Lead simulation-based research to demonstrate the impact of simulation on practice and patient outcomes

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• A strong and demonstrated commitment to integrating the clinical mission in the academy
• Proven ability to provide leadership in a complex environment
• Demonstrated leadership and effectiveness in building strong working relationships with a collaborative style
• Enjoy interacting with people and the ability to easily connect with faculty and staff in the College and University, across disciplines, and among external entities in the community
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a welcoming faculty, staff, and student environment as a faculty member
• Evidence of successful collaborations with community partners and faculty teams in an academic setting; effective communication skills; knowledge of nursing academic curricula and programs; ability to plan and conduct effective meetings
• Demonstrated ability to be engaging and persuasive with strong teamwork skills; politically astute, diplomatic, and able to manage by influence
• Flexible and capable of responding to multiple demands in a time-sensitive manner
• Ability to exercise professional judgment in all matters related to academic affairs
• Proficient with MS Office applications, learning management software, and other technology used in teaching, research, and practice

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in Nursing and a Terminal Degree in Nursing, Health, Science, or Social Science related field
• Eligible for or hold a current registered nurse license for the State of Oklahoma
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical practice experience for licensed applicants
• Faculty teaching in advanced practice programs (NP, CNS, or CRNA) must hold appropriate specialty certification and have a minimum of one (1) year of advanced practice registered nurse experience in the specialty
• Certification as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience teaching at a school or college of Nursing
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in Healthcare Simulation leadership

Faculty teaching in the PhD Program must meet the OUHC Graduate College faculty appointment guidelines for Associate Member or Full Member Appointment at level 3 or 4 authority.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A record of scholarship and extramural funding

To Apply

For full consideration, please apply by January 12, 2026.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyemdfs

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to OUEDExperientialLearning@acesrch.com.

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.