Director, Academic Affiliations and Strategic Partnerships

Memorial Hermann Health System

About The Position

The Director, Academic Affiliations and Strategic Partnerships develops and maintains advanced partnerships and initiatives with academic partners and related intermediaries and organizations, with a focus on nursing and strategic clinical partnerships. The role monitors local, regional, and national academic and workforce-entry trends to anticipate needs and identify opportunities aligned with Memorial Hermann’s strategic plan. It works with internal and external stakeholders to implement, sustain, and track aligned academic affiliations and strategic partnerships, collaborating with academic and community partners, Clinical Education, Legal, the Director of Workforce Development Programs, Talent Acquisition, and HR. The position reports to the AVP, Institute for Nursing Excellence. It oversees academic affiliation agreements and related metrics, develops partnership frameworks and strategies, and builds relationships with colleges, universities, high schools, government and regulatory entities, and other stakeholders. Partnerships are intended to address clinical placements and workforce needs through initiatives such as longitudinal placements, Dedicated Education Units, shared faculty models, apprenticeships, and work-based learning.

Requirements

Master’s degree in nursing or another related clinical field.
Current State of Texas licensure in a clinical field.
At least five years of managerial experience.
Operational experience in cross-functional and matrixed environments.
Knowledge of school affiliations and compliance processes.
Experience building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with academic institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
Knowledge of higher education regulations, clinical accrediting bodies, and licensing board requirements.
Project management and problem-solving skills, including the ability to anticipate needs and make decisions.
Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to meet independently with school deans, faculty, and other leaders to build and maintain academic partnerships.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate degree in nursing or another related clinical field.
Current State of Texas nursing license, or temporary/compact license to practice professional nursing.
Experience with apprenticeship programs.

Responsibilities

Oversee academic affiliation agreements and track related metrics.
Lead the development and execution of strategic academic partnerships and channel strategies for highly aligned programs, in partnership with Talent Acquisition.
Design a framework and implement processes to establish, maintain, and grow strategic academic partnerships.
Develop and maintain relationships with academic partners and external stakeholders to cultivate partnership opportunities and find solutions to clinical placement and workforce challenges.
Focus partnerships on highly aligned clinical programs, including longitudinal placements, Dedicated Education Units, shared faculty models, apprenticeships, and work-based learning.
Establish and track programmatic metrics to assess partnership and strategy success.
Identify gaps and develop solutions to support growth of academic partnerships and strategic initiatives.
Partner with the Memorial Hermann Foundation, Government Relations, Clinical Education, and HR to identify, prepare, and submit grants supporting organizational needs.
Meet regularly with leaders of highly aligned academic partners to maintain relationships and track shared outcomes.
Partner with HR and other stakeholders to expand apprenticeships as a way to grow the healthcare workforce.
Ensure safe care for patients, staff, and visitors and adhere to organizational policies, procedures, standards, budget, time management, supply management, productivity, and service-quality requirements.
Promote professional growth and development by meeting continuing education and competency requirements; support department goals and serve as a preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff.
Model Memorial Hermann’s service standards by creating safe, compassionate, personalized, and efficient experiences for patients and the workforce.
Perform other duties as assigned.