Academic Program Director Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Department Overview

Join OHSU Health as we build the next chapter of nursing excellence. This newly created Program Director role will lead the development of a comprehensive system for nursing research, evidence-based practice, innovation, recognition, and professional governance. This is a rare opportunity to create infrastructure from the ground up, influence organizational strategy, and shape how nurses contribute to clinical excellence, scientific discovery, and healthcare innovation across an academic health system.

 The Program Director, Center for Nursing Excellence & Innovation (CNEI) is a Registered Nurse (RN) responsible for advancing nursing excellence and innovation across OHSU Health. This role provides strategic, operational, financial, and human resource leadership for programs and initiatives that strengthen nursing practice, professional development, quality outcomes, and workforce capability across the health system.

Working in alignment with OHSU's Mission, Vision, and Professional Practice Model, the Program Director collaborates with system nursing leadership, interprofessional partners, and professional governance structures to create and sustain a culture of safety, quality, engagement, inquiry, and professional growth. The Program Director oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives that support evidence-based practice, nursing professional governance, nursing professional development, nursing quality, workforce development, and nursing excellence operations.

Function/Duties of Position

This position specifically serves as the OHSU Health Magnet Program Director and provides leadership for the operationalization and advancement of nursing excellence infrastructure across the health system, including Magnet designation and redesignation strategy, nursing professional governance operations, nursing inquiry and evidence-based practice structures, and nursing excellence program management. The role is responsible for creating sustainable systems that support shared decision-making, professional practice advancement, nursing engagement, and a culture of inquiry and innovation. In partnership with nursing and executive leadership, this position oversees the coordination and evaluation of professional governance councils, supports organizational alignment to Magnet principles and outcomes, advances structures that support evidence-based practice, quality improvement, research, and dissemination, and ensures effective management of nursing excellence operations that strengthen clinical excellence, workforce development, regulatory readiness, and strategic nursing priorities across OHSU Health.

The Program Director ensures regulatory and accreditation compliance related to nursing practice and education, manages resources efficiently, and leads teams to achieve organizational priorities in clinical excellence, workforce development, innovation, and nursing excellence.

I. Strategic & Program Development:

Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that advance nursing excellence, innovation, and professional development across OHSU Health. Aligns initiatives with system goals, the Professional Practice Model, Magnet standards, and organizational strategic priorities. Develops workplans, performance indicators, and outcome metrics to monitor program effectiveness.II. Operational Leadership & Integration:Provides operational oversight for assigned CNEI portfolios (ex: professional governance, competency infrastructure, nursing quality, education programs, research, or workforce development). Applies systems thinking to integrate initiatives across entities and service lines, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and sustainability.III. Financial & Resource Management:Develops, manages, and monitors program budgets, grants, and contracts. Ensures responsible use of resources and alignment with organizational priorities. Prepares business cases and cost analyses to support program expansion, technology integration, and strategic investments.IV. Human Resources & Team Leadership:Supervises and mentors' staff, fostering engagement, professional growth, and accountability. Recruits, orients, and evaluates team members; supports role clarity for Nursing Professional Development Practitioners, Nursing Practice Specialists, and other CNEI staff. Builds leadership capacity through coaching, feedback, and professional development planning.V. Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance: Collaborates with nursing, quality, and regulatory leaders to ensure compliance with accreditation and licensure standards (DNV, Magnet, ANCC). Leads or supports initiatives to improve nursing-sensitive indicators, preventable harm, and professional practice outcomes. Uses data analytics and evidence-based methods to evaluate and sustain improvements.VI. Professional Practice & Education Infrastructure:Advances a culture of professional growth and lifelong learning through innovative educational models, competency systems, and recognition programs. Ensures structures are in place to validate nursing competence, support clinical inquiry, and disseminate best practices.VII. Collaboration, Communication, & Organizational Engagement:

Partners with executive nursing, interprofessional, and academic leaders to strengthen professional governance and system integration. Represents CNEI on organizational committees, councils, and task forces. Facilitates communication strategies that promote transparency, recognition, and the translation of strategy into practice.

Required Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of relevant clinical experience AND
• Five (5) years of progressive nursing leadership experience (NPD Practitioner, Nursing Practice Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Magnet Program Director, Nurse Scientist, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager, or Nurse Director)
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a large, matrixed health system.
• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing or Associate Degree in Nursing from a program accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
• Doctoral Degree in Nursing - DNP Preferred
• Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. 
• Oregon Nurse Practice Act.
• Current unencumbered Oregon RN license.
• Professional certification in nursing
• American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice, and the ANA Code of Ethics.

Additional Details

This position also comes with great benefits! Some highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care plans that cover 100% for a full-time employee and 88% for dependents for .75 FTE and higher.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
• Paid time off- 208 hours per year (full-time), prorated for part-time
• Extended illness bank- 64 hours per year, prorated for part-time
• 9 paid holidays per year
• Three weeks of paid parental leave
• Adoption assistance program (up to 5k)
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Why apply to OHSU?We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.eduEmployment Type: OTHER