Director of Distance Strategic Partnerships, Assistant Professor

As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Director for Distance Strategic Partnerships and Assistant Professor for the Leighton School of Nursing (LSON) to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by following under the direction of LSON Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships, creates new academic-practice partnerships for LSON and provides leadership over the Accelerated BSN track at all sites.

The candidate would also collaborate with the Program Director for the CRNA-DNP program to assist with student or clinical site needs in Tennessee. This position participates in decision making for policy related to teaching and advising students in curriculum development, program revisions, clinical site management, student learning outcomes assessment, and other matters as assigned in support of LSON and the mission of Marian University. This position is a liaison to our education partner (Orbis) and collaborates with Orbis to maintain excellent learning experiences for students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University (MU) by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values and honoring the legacy of the founding congregation through transformative education, unity in diversity, leadership through service, integrating faith and life, and institutional policies.
• Strengthens the School of Nursing through effective strategic and innovative academic-practice partnerships impacting admissions, accreditations, communications and partnerships. High-level goals include, developing and growing effective partnerships and participating in marketing communications, recruitment, diversity, accreditations, and compliance functions to elevate program outcomes towards a top-tier status.
• Communicates regularly and effectively with the LSON Deans (and other Health Professions or MU leaders as needed).
• Participates in Marian University/LSON committees and departmental initiatives.
• Represents and promotes LSON in inter-professional initiatives within and outside Marian University.
• Promotes inclusion and diversity throughout the LSON.
• Participates in developing department goals, objective, and processes as related to distance education operations.
• Assists to establish department measurements that align and support the accomplishment of the University's and LSON strategic goals.
• Facilitates prospective partnership engagement opportunities between the nursing program and clinical community partners.
• Stewards partnership prospecting strategies and develops new community clinical partnerships regionally/ nationally.
• In collaboration with the LSON Deans, facilitates new partner prospecting and identification of initial clinical placement sites for nursing students.
• High level of proficiency with collaboration, strategic planning, and project development is necessary.
• Oversees distance student admissions, and maintains full compliance with applicable state, regional, and national accreditation standards.
• Teaches in courses where academically and experientially qualified as needed.
• Oversees LSON distance simulation laboratories; provides recommendations to LSON Deans based on assessment activities.
• In collaboration with MU Human Resources and LSON administrative team, assists with onboarding needs for new distance faculty and staff.
• Collaborates with LSON Program Directors to assist with clinical placement operations at all satellite locations.
• Supports the student experience by participating in and following up on questions and feedback from students, from multiple sources.
• Collaborates with LSON Assistant Deans and faculty, as appropriate, to develop educational innovations in clinical placements.
• Assists with the facilitation of clinical affiliation agreements with distance clinical sites, including the execution of contracts and maintaining accurate and current records.
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships with clinical affiliates.
• Collaborates with the Deans, Directors, and LSON faculty to ensure alignment of clinical experiences with curriculum learning outcomes.
• Collaborates with clinical leaders as needed to ensure the clinical faculty and students maintain clinical compliance. (i.e. immunizations/vaccinations, background checks).
• Adheres to the department budget.
• Collaborates with LSON Coordinator of Assessment and Accreditation and MU Director of Assessment to ensure appropriate student and faculty data are collected and analyzed.
• Remain current with nursing education best practices and industry trends to enhance the quality of clinical education.
• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders at both the academic and clinical institutions, including faculty, clinical leaders, administrators, and healthcare providers.
• Building trust and fostering open communication to identify shared goals and priorities.
• Demonstrates effective, collaborative, and civil communication patterns with students, agency partners, faculty, and staff.
• Regularly evaluating partnership activities and making necessary adjustments to optimize outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with University, curriculum, agency, and regulatory requirements and standards.
• Manages all related regulatory and accreditation reports in collaboration with the Director of Accreditation and Research.
• Analyzes and reports relevant unit data to LSON Dean, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, MU Provost and Executive Councils and Faculty Standing Committees as needed.
• Facilitates thorough review of all outcome measures. These include the undergraduate program outcomes, undergraduate licensure and certification preparation courses, and NCLEX-RN, other accrediting bodies at the national or state level, student evaluations, and clinical partner evaluations.
• Ability to develop collaboration with interprofessional colleagues utilizing a participatory leadership style that fosters respect and collegiality.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and build consensus.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated proficiency in the use of computing technology.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite is required as is recent experience with a learning management system such as Canvas or Blackboard.
• Competency in basic statistical analysis, and interpretation and presentation of data.
• Consistent demonstration of professional behaviors, practical judgment, critical thinking and effective problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to build impactful working relationships through strong interpersonal skills with an openness to the ideas and constructive feedback of others.
• Efficient and effective project-management capabilities.
• A sincere commitment to advancing Marian University mission and a dedication to the integration of faith and learning with a commitment to the highest moral, ethical, and academic standards.

University Expectations:

• Knowledge of and a commitment to the mission of Marian University
• Adheres to Marian University's policies and procedures
• Shows courtesy and respect in interactions with fellow employees, students subordinates, and supervisors
• Communicates regularly with supervisor about Department issues
• Meets department productivity standards
• Participates in developing department goals, objective, and systems
• Assists to establish department measurements that align and support the accomplishment of the University's strategic goals
• Adheres to the department budget.

Required Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To be qualified for this position the candidate must have:

• An earned Master's degree in Nursing is required. PhD in Nursing, DNP, or a terminal degree in a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of two years teaching experience in a university setting.
• At minimum of two years recent experience in academic leadership and management.
• Project management experience preferred.
• High level of proficiency in use of technology in nursing education.
• Experience with partner collaboration, goal setting, planning, executing and evaluating new and existing projects and processes.
• Residence in State of Tennessee.
• An active RN License in Tennessee; other state RN licensures may also be required.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For Consideration All Applications Require:

1. Cover Letter
2. Current resume or CV
3. Contact information of three professional references. The reference contact information must be entered after the application is submitted in the "My Presence" section of the applicant profile.
4. Responses to the supplementary mission & identity questions.

Please Review Marian University's Mission & Identity Statement before responding to the supplementary questions on your application:

https://www.marian.edu/faith

Marian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.