Program Director, Practice Education

The Academic Program Director (PD) for Site-Based Learning Partnership (SBLP), is a key leadership position spanning both Capella and Strayer university; he/she/they promote and support a quality academic experience for learners by ensuring a site-based learning (SBL) experience that facilitates accreditation compliance and achievement of program outcomes. The Program Director SBLP has managerial oversight of the SBL/practice education team, with responsibility to oversee data collection, quality improvement activities, governance, operations tasks, and collaboration with internal and external partners, working to ensure that all policies and process are current, efficient, effective, cohesive, and compliant with the diverse accreditation requirements of the healthcare programs within the two universities.

This management position contributes to a range of activities related to excellence in SBL effectiveness, learner success, satisfaction and engagement. work closely with deans, assistant/associate deans, program/faculty directors, as well as relevant university departments, to manage systems and processes related to SBL design and delivery. He/she/they coordinate with the Site-Based Learning and Services team, Portfolio, and relevant academic leaders to remain aware of issues related to student placement needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure high-quality educational experiences for learners and faculty, focusing on SBL quality and achievement of outcomes across all the healthcare portfolio of programs offered by Strayer and Capella Universities.
• Engage in the ongoing review of the overall program, SBL Outcomes, and learner experience data; identify improvement opportunities based on regular data review.
• Analyze and act based on analytics reports on a schedule determined by accreditation requirements and/or the schools, summarizing findings and recommendations and tracking the impact of implemented changes.
• Assure quality of learner site-based vetting, approvals, and administration.
• Provide team guidance and oversight of complex affiliation requests.
• Ensure accreditation mandates are supported across the full healthcare portfolio. Ensure SBL processes are designed per accreditation standards and followed by all involved
• Serve as liaison with multiple internal cross-functional partners.
• Resolve multi-faceted types of problems encountered involving placement, sites, or administrative issues.
• Proactively oversee communications and change-management with preceptors/site supervisors and students, including, but not limited to, site vetting, orientations, and evaluations.
• Oversee quality of all SBL orientations/training as defined by school and/or specialized accreditation and as needed.
• Contribute to specialized accreditation processes as needed to develop and maintain relevant learner manuals and accreditation SBL standards and outcomes assessments.
• Conduct audits of SBL processes to ensure continuous quality improvement and learner success.
• All other duties as assigned.

Job Skills

Clinical Placement — Demonstrates the ability to

• Lead and advise on complex clinical placement and practice education challenges.
• Apply expertise in site requirements, compliance expectations, and clinical education technologies.
• Coach and support team members in clinical placement best practices and problem-solving.
• Assess the quality, effectiveness, and consistency of clinical learning experiences.
• Analyze data, stakeholder feedback, and outcomes to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Foster strong clinical site partnerships that support learner success and organizational goals.

Leadership

Ability to operate independently in a highly matrixed and ambiguous environment with significant interdependencies. Leads, collaborates, and executes with a strong focus on results, balancing strategic thinking with accountability for action. Builds alignment through listening, partnership, and informed decision-making while independently advancing initiatives in support of organizational goals and priorities.

Navigation, Problem Solving & Adaptability

Ability to analyze, navigate, and resolve complex, multifaceted challenges involving learners, clinical placements, faculty, site partners, regulatory requirements, and operational processes. Demonstrates adaptability in ambiguous and evolving environments, adjusting priorities and approaches as circumstances change while maintaining focus on desired outcomes. Applies sound judgment, critical thinking, and cross-functional collaboration to identify solutions, mitigate risks, and drive results despite uncertainty.

Innovation

Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Stress Tolerance

Accepting constructive criticism and dealing with high-stress situations.

• Be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to travel as required/needed.

Work Experience

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in higher education, healthcare education, clinical education, practice education, clinical placement operations, or a related field, including responsibility for site-based learning, experiential learning, clinical placements, or healthcare workforce development initiatives.
• Minimum of 2 years leadership experience in academic, clinical, workforce development, or healthcare settings, including oversight of programs, partnerships, projects, or teams.
• Experience collaborating with healthcare organizations, clinical sites, faculty, preceptors, and other stakeholders to support learner placement, progression, and success.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a matrixed organization and lead initiatives across multiple teams, functions, and external partners; experience managing remote teams preferred.
• Knowledge of clinical placement processes, affiliation agreements, compliance requirements, clinical education technologies, and site partner expectations preferred.
• Demonstrated engagement in the profession through practice education leadership, professional associations, committee participation, presentations, publications, or other contributions to the field preferred.

Education

Education requirements as listed below may be in any of the two categories noted

Nursing (required for non-NP)

• MSN from an accredited Nursing program, required.
• An earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution in Nursing or closely related fields, including Leadership in Higher Education and Education, required.
• Must hold an active, unencumbered Registered Nurse license (preferably a compact state license).

Nursing (required for APRN)

• MSN from an accredited Nursing program, required.
• An earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution in Nursing or closely related fields, required.
• Must hold an active, unencumbered Registered Nurse license (preferably a compact state license).
• Must hold an active, Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner License
• Must maintain clinical practice as defined by state licensure, AANP and/or ANCC.

All degrees must be conferred from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Certifications

Required Licensure and/or credentials listed under each of the education categories provided in the section labeled “Education”.

Other

• Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise. For most roles travel would not be common. Travel may involve plane, car or metro. In accordance with ADA policies, reasonable accommodations regarding travel limitations can be provided. Travel will be more common for roles such as Account Executives (25 - 50%), senior leaders (10 – 20%) or Capella Core Faculty (5 – 10%).
• Required access to remote work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
• Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers.
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered.
• Able to access information using a computer.
• Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

$112,000.00 - $115,000.00 is the expected starting pay for this position. This offer is based on current budgetary guidelines and the additional factors outlined below.

SEI offers a comprehensive package of benefits to employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week. In addition to medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, SEI employees may take advantage of well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance as well as entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.

Careers - Our Benefits, Strategic Education, Inc

SEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where individuals can grow their careers and contribute fully. We strive to attract talent with broad experiences, skills and perspectives. We welcome applications from all. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the pay range at SEI, we offer a competitive salary. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate may vary depending on multiple factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Our Talent Acquisition Team is ready to discuss your interest in joining SEI. The expected salary range for this position is below.

$95,100.00 - $142,600.00 - Salary

If you require reasonable accommodations to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at [email hidden].