Director, Center for Immersive and Simulation-Based Learning (CISL)

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University School of Medicine is seeking a Director to lead the Center for Immersive and Simulation-Based Learning (CISL). The role provides strategic and operational leadership for standardized patient education, simulation-based learning, and immersive programs, partnering with a broad community of learners and faculty.

The ideal candidate will drive innovative educational technology and AI/XR initiatives, expand program impact, and build strong partnerships across Stanford Medicine

Qualifications

• Experience in health professions education and healthcare simulation.
• Progressively responsible leadership in healthcare simulation or immersive learning.
• Expertise in simulation and standardized patient program design, pedagogy, assessment, and evaluation.
• Experience leading educational technology and AI/XR innovation.
• Record of cross-institutional partnerships and securing grants or other funding.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for CISL educational programs.
• Oversee standardized patient education, simulation tech, and immersive learning services.
• Lead budgeting, staffing, and operations to align with institutional priorities.
• Foster collaboration across Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, and partners.
• Advance AI and XR initiatives within medical education.

Skills

Healthcare leadership

Healthcare simulation

AI/XR innovation

Educational program design

Partnership development

Job description

Note: This position has been deemed critical by the School of Medicine and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

School/Unit Information

Stanford University School of Medicine is world renowned for leading edge education, research, patient care and medical advancements.

Department Information

Within the Stanford School of Medicine, Educational Programs and Services (EPS) plays a central role in advancing the school’s educational mission by supporting a broad community of students, trainees, and faculty across the medical education continuum. EPS partners with academic leaders to deliver high-quality programs that prepare future physicians and scientists while fostering innovation in medical education and ensuring an exceptional learning experience for every learner.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Purpose

Educational Programs and Services (EPS) is seeking an experienced Director to provide strategic leadership, vision, and direction for the Stanford School of Medicine’s Center for Immersive and Simulation-Based Learning (CISL). The Director oversees the development, administration, and continuous improvement of standardized patient education, technology-based simulation, and immersive learning programs, ensuring these services effectively support the School’s educational mission and the evolving needs of students, trainees, faculty, and healthcare professionals.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Medical Education Programs, the position works closely with the faculty Associate Dean for CISL, Medical Education leadership, and partners across Stanford Medicine and Stanford University to translate institutional priorities into innovative educational programs, services, and learning environments.

The Director provides both strategic and operational leadership, identifying opportunities to expand simulation-based education, strengthen program effectiveness, and advance emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR). The role requires sound judgment, broad discretion, and the ability to navigate complex educational, technical, and operational challenges while fostering collaboration across multiple disciplines and organizational areas.

The Director also leads and manages a team of professional staff, overseeing program operations, financial resources, educational technology, and strategic initiatives while establishing priorities, developing staff, and fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in simulation-based education and program administration, a commitment to educational innovation and continuous improvement, and the ability to lead complex operations while building strong partnerships across the School, University, and broader healthcare education community.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in health professions education, education, healthcare simulation, business or public administration, or a related field.
• Progressively responsible leadership in healthcare simulation, standardized patient education, or immersive learning in an academic medical setting.
• Expertise in simulation and standardized patient program design and pedagogy including needs assessment, curriculum and scenario design, debriefing, assessment, and evaluation. It also covers advising faculty on complex or sensitive programs while making sure learners and participants are safe and accreditation requirements are met.
• Experience leading educational technology and AI/XR innovation.
• Record of cross-institutional partnerships, scholarly dissemination, and securing grants or other funding.