Executive Director of Simulation

Quinnipiac University; North Haven (CT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Quinnipiac University’s School of Nursing invites applications for the Executive Director of Simulation, the inaugural leader responsible for building an immersive practice and collaborative training center from the ground up in North Haven, CT. The role anchors operations, staff development, curriculum integration, and policy governance across health sciences.

Reporting to the Provost, you will partner with Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences to design, implement, and continuously improve

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a health, nursing, education, or related field; Doctoral degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day operations of the center, including scheduling, staffing, equipment readiness, and facility use across simulation modalities.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop simulation staff including hiring, performance management, and professional development.
• Partner with faculty to design, integrate, and improve simulation-based curricula, debriefing practices, and competency assessments.
• Manage the center's annual budget, including procurement, maintenance contracts, and supply forecasting.
• Maintain accreditation and SSH compliance; lead self-study and review processes.
• Evaluate and implement simulation equipment and technologies in coordination with IT and instructional partners.
• Provide faculty development and training in simulation pedagogy, scenario design, and debriefing methods.

Skills

Strong analytical thinking

Excellent verbal communication

Excellent written communication

Interpersonal and facilitation skills

Leadership and team management

Project management

Budget management

Policy and procedure development

Education

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview:

Quinnipiac University\'s School of Nursing invites applicants forthe Executive Director of Simulation. As the inaugural ExecutiveDirector of Simulation, this individual will collaborativelyfacilitate the establishment of the overall enterprise structure ofa Quinnipiac University immersive practice and collaborativetraining center from the ground up, including its organizationaldesign, operations, policies, and procedures. This foundationalwork will set the framework for how the center functions, scales,and integrates across the university for years to come.

The Executive Director of Simulation provides operational andeducational leadership for QU\'s immersive practice andcollaborative training center, overseeing day-to-day centeroperations, staff, curriculum integration, and equipment/technologyfor simulation-based learning across the health sciences. Reportingto the Provost, with daily operations supervised by a Provostappointee, the Director partners with Medicine, Nursing, HealthSciences and community partners to design, deliver, andcontinuously improve simulation-based participant experiences. TheDirector manages the simulation budget, supervises simulationstaff, and ensures programming meets accreditation andbest-practice standards set by the Society for Simulation inHealthcare (SSH).

About the School:

The Quinnipiac University School of Nursing has been educatingnurses for more than 50 years. Our mission is to developexceptional, practice-ready nurses as leaders in science-based,holistic care through innovation and inclusive education. TheSchool of Nursing\'s strategic priorities are aligned withinnovative programs, student success, thriving community, andsustainable resources. The School of Nursing serves approximately1100 graduate and undergraduate students. We offer CCNE accreditedprograms leading to BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees that preparegraduates for successful careers in hospitals, clinics, schools,communities, and many other settings. School of Nursing graduatesbecome leaders at each level of their careers and facilitatepositive changes within healthcare. Faculty and staff work withcolleagues in our Center for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciencesand all schools across campus to create innovativeinterprofessional educational experiences that prepare students fortoday\'s health care challenges. The Center is located at our NorthHaven, CT campus and encompasses 325,000 square feet designed forcollaborative learning including 48 pro-section stations, 16standardized patient rooms, an exceptional health sciences library,7 high-fidelity simulation rooms including 2 ORs and a PACU, healthassessment and skills labs, advanced diagnostic imaging equipmentand classrooms outfitted with the latest technology. As one of 17schools in the nation with holistically endorsed programs, weemphasize the social, emotional, spiritual, and psychologicalaspects of care, as well as the physical, throughout our nursingcurriculum.

We are a highly collaborative and supportive community that iscommitted to high quality educational experience, advancingdiversity in all areas. Successful candidates will share the Schoolof Nursing values of belonging, compassion, collaboration,curiosity, and integrity. The School provides faculty memberswith:

• A structured orientation and mentoring
• An assigned faculty affiliate
• Regular workshops by Quinnipiac Innovations in Learning andTeaching (QILT)
• Opportunities to work with nationally recognized faculty andstaff
• Generous support for conference attendance and professionaldevelopment
• Support with grant applications for faculty research orcurricular innovations
• A culture of community, teamwork, and professionalism
• A climate that values diversity and inclusion
• Values of belonging, collaboration, compassion, curiosity andintegrity

To find out more about our School of Nursing, pleasevisithttps://www.qu.edu/schools/nursing.html

About Quinnipiac:

Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational institutionlocated 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours fromBoston. The university currently has an enrollment of 9,700students in more than 100-degree programs through its Schools ofBusiness, Communications, Education, Computing & Engineering,Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and the College of Arts& Sciences. Our 22 Division I teams have achieved remarkablesuccess, boasting multiple conference titles. This includes a 2023NCAA National Championship win in ice hockey, a three-timedefending national champion women\'s rugby team, and a trip to theSweet 16 for our women\'s basketball team. The Quinnipiac UniversityPoll is nationally recognized as a leader in public opinionresearch, and the university is consistently recognized by U.S.News & World Report and Princeton Review. The Wall StreetJournal ranked Quinnipiac #51 among the best colleges in thenation, and second in Connecticut, for our exceptional graduationrate, salary impact, learning facilities, career preparation andlearning opportunities.

The university is in the midst of program expansion and renewal forboth traditional and adult learners, the development of innovativestrategic partnerships, and just opened a South Quad with three newbuildings.

As Quinnipiac grows, we remain guided by the core values thatdefine our community and shape the experience of every student andemployee.

• We are fiercely committed to ensuring every Bobcat thrives. Weare a lifelong partner for every learner.
• We passionately care about our community. Everyone should feelwelcome and valued.
• We boldly shape our university\'s future. We will forge a pathof impact together.

These values are the foundation of who we are and reflect theQuinnipiac spirit found across our campuses. For more information,please visit qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook,Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the day-to-day operations of the center, includingscheduling, staffing, equipment readiness, and facility use acrossall simulation modalities (high-fidelity manikin, task trainer,virtual/augmented reality, and standardized/simulated participantprogramming)
• Supervise, mentor, and develop simulation staff includinghiring, performance management, and professional development
• Partner with faculty across Medicine, Nursing, and HealthSciences to design, integrate, and continuously improvesimulation-based curricula, debriefing practices, and competencyassessments across programs and learner levels
• Develop and manage the center\'s annual budget, includingequipment procurement, maintenance contracts, and supplyforecasting; identify cost-efficiencies and resource needs
• Maintain and advance the center accreditation and compliancewith Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) standards and bestpractices; lead related self-study and review processes
• Evaluate, select, and implement simulation equipment andtechnologies (manikins, task trainers, AR/VR platforms,audiovisual/debriefing systems) in coordination with IT andinstructional partners
• Provide faculty development and training in simulationpedagogy, scenario design, and debriefing methods; serve as aresource for simulation best practices university wide
• Track and report on utilization, learner outcomes, and programeffectiveness; support scholarly dissemination and researchinvolving simulation-based education
• Represent the center on relevant university committees and withexternal partners (clinical affiliates, vendors, professionalsimulation organizations)
• Facilitate the development and periodic review of the centerpolicies, procedures, and safety protocols
• Develop and manage business plans to enhance revenue-generatingactivities within the center

Education Requirements:

• Required: Master\'s degree – Field of study: Nursing, Education,Health Sciences, or related clinical/health field
• Preferred: Doctoral degree – Field of study: Medicine, Nursing,Education, Health Sciences, or related clinical/health field

Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience insimulation-based education, healthcare education, clinicaltraining, or a related field

Additional requirements (such as licensure, certifications, validdriver\'s license, etc.):

• Current unencumbered clinical license (e.g., RN or other healthprofession) preferred. Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator(CHSE) credential from the Society for Simulation in Healthcarepreferred, or willingness to obtain within an agreedtimeframe

Qualifications:

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the abilityto evaluate program outcomes, learner performance data, andoperational effectiveness to support continuous improvement
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and facilitationskills, including the ability to conduct debriefings andcommunicate effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, includingstaff supervision, coaching, mentoring, and performancemanagement
• Working knowledge of simulation technologies, includinghigh-fidelity manikins, task trainers, audiovisual recording anddebriefing systems, simulation management software, and emergingtechnologies such as AR/VR platforms
• Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinatemultiple priorities, programs, and events simultaneously
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and simulationscheduling and management systems
• Ability to develop, implement, and revise departmentalpolicies, procedures, and best practices
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion inoperational and personnel matters

Collaboration and Relationship Management

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationshipswith faculty, staff, students, clinical partners, vendors, andexternal stakeholders
• Experience collaborating on significant cross-functionalprojects and initiatives
• Ability to identify stakeholder needs, develop solutions, gaincooperation, and drive successful outcomes
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information withprofessionalism and discretion

Additional Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to solve highly complex, non-routineproblems through innovative and creative approaches
• Experience with departmental fiscal management, includingbudget planning, monitoring, and resource allocation
• Ability to work effectively in an office environment and managecompeting priorities in a dynamic educational setting