Another Source’s client, Samuel Merritt University, is recruiting an Executive Director for the Samuel Merritt University (SMU) Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC) to join their team in Oakland, CA. This position offers a balance of both on site and remote work based on business and collaboration needs.
About Samuel Merritt University:
Samuel Merritt University graduates improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for all members of our communities. We have spent more than a century preparing outstanding healthcare professionals through immersive learning and community engagement and are deeply committed to transforming healthcare through diversity and inclusion. At the College of Nursing (CoN), we are at the forefront of educational innovation in theory and practice to prepare highly competent professional nursing leaders who are engaged in the advancement of nursing practice and the improvement of health for diverse populations/peoples. Our motto is education plus compassion which we proudly demonstrate in the ways that we serve our students, faculty, staff, and in our local communities.
Ranked #1 in California for preparing graduates to secure jobs with a 97% placement rate within one year of graduation, SMU offers one of the few podiatric medicine programs in the U.S. and is proud to be a recipient of the Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award.
Take a sneak peek here of the new 10 story cutting edge facility that will serve as the flagship campus and central hub of SMU opening 2026:
https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/news/samuel-merritt-university-build-flagship-campus-oakland-city-center
Benefits at Samuel Merritt University (SMU):
SMU offers a robust and flexible benefits package to support employees' well-being and financial security:
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans (including no-cost options) and employer-funded HSAs.
- Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with up to 7% employer contributions and a 457(b) plan for additional savings.
- Insurance Coverage: Free life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance; optional short-term disability, legal services, and pet insurance.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous vacation, sick leave, paid holidays (including a Christmas–New Year’s break), and volunteer days.
- Additional Perks: Tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, employee discounts, and a supportive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
The salary range for this role is budgeted at $140,000 - $180,000 annually. Relocation assistance is available.
Learn more about SMU's benefits here.
About the role:
The Executive Director of the Samuel Merritt University (SMU) Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC) is responsible for SMU’s overall operations related to simulation-based, immersive learning on all campuses. This entails capacity/expansion planning, resolution of workflow issues, quality assurance, and effective use of resources including technologies, faculty, and staff, and includes simulation-specific matters at the Sacramento, San Mateo, and Fresno campuses.
The Director works closely with SMU’s academic leadership and designated faculty representatives to assure effective integration and use of simulation-based learning in the curricula of all academic programs of the university.
The Director also works with administrators and educators affiliated with SMU’s clinical partners requesting services of the HSSC. The director will maintain collaborative relationships with SMU’s Faculty Development professionals, the Library, Academic Instruction and Innovation, Information Technology, Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research in planning for ongoing simulation development, use and evaluation. It is expected that the director will provide leadership in curricular innovation and the development of a program of research related to simulation effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervision & Management:
- Direct reports include Operations Manager, Simulation Educators on all campuses, and Applied Science & Education Research Methodologist.
- Faculty recruitment and hiring, annual performance reviews, and disciplinary processes as required for all campuses.
- Establishes an annual operating and capital budget for each campus’ simulation centers.
- Demonstrates fiscal responsibility by meeting budget targets and prioritizing expenses.
- Oversight of processes and policies that are related to attaining and maintaining accreditation of the simulation center by the national accrediting body of simulation centers in the United States.
- Oversight of processes and policies related to ensuring that the educational activities and services provided by HSSC faculty/staff comply with accreditation standards of all levels, e.g., regional accreditation, state board/licensing bodies, specialty accreditation organizations of academic disciplines represented at SMU.
- Ensure effective and efficient operations, capacity and workflow planning, and center staff/faculty development
- Accountable for all HSSC service outcomes and continuous quality improvement.
- Ensures proper scheduling and staffing of the HSSC to meet the demands of the Academic Programs, community partners, and tours.
Leadership:
- Oversee the implementation and continual reassessment of the department’s mission, vision, principles, and strategic plan.
- Ensure the HSSC’s strategic plan is in alignment with the University’s goals.
- Serve as ex officio member of the Academic Leadership Team and the Information Technology Advisory Group (ITAG).
- Collaborate with all SMU entities to advance knowledge and skills in the use of simulation-based learning.
- Collaborate with SMU instructional designers and representatives in the Academic Affairs Division to establish instructional design methods and standards, teaching, and learning support systems.
- Promote teamwork and collaboration by applying TeamSTEPPS tools and strategies.
- Develops plans for research related to the use of simulation in education and support collaborative research across Academic Programs.
- Actively seeks revenue-generating opportunities.
- Continually assesses all services, identifies problems, and utilizes data to analyze and propose innovative approaches for solutions.
- Oversees center accreditations, including but not limited to the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
- Prepares and submits annual reports for the Provost of the state of the HSSC. The report includes annual accomplishments, challenges, utilization, assessment data, and progress toward meeting the HSSC strategic plan.
- Participates in committees, task forces, and other work groups as expected of an academic leader at SMU.
Education:
- Ensure simulation learning activities are successfully implemented across key stakeholders (students and faculty of all SMU academic programs on all campuses, external customers having an established relationship with HSSC).
- Lead ongoing evaluation of simulation teaching strategies and ensure they are in alignment with best practice standards.
- Collaborate with the Simulation Educators to create policies and procedures to
- Ensure the Simulation Educators are following the HSSC protocols for simulation development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Remains current with new trends and best practices and incorporates them into the HSSC education operations practices and programs.
- Assist in faculty, staff, and healthcare systems development in the use of simulation-based learning.
REQUIRED SKILLS & CHARACTERISTICS:
- Experience in design, implementation, and evaluation of simulation.
- Program management experience
- Education and expertise in instructional design using current and emerging technologies at both course and program level
- Excellent operational skills
- Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary groups
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Eligible for a Faculty appointment in an academic program
- Demonstrated knowledge of educational technologies
- Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity in areas related to simulation.
- Flexibility in time schedules that will allow for attendance and participation of selected university functions required of all faculty members
Qualifications:
- Masters degree in a healthcare profession or related discipline required
- Program development experience required
- Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSiH) Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) required
- 5 -10 years of clinical experience preferred
- 2 - 5 years of teaching/instructional experience with adult learners preferred
Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.
#AS1