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The Simulation and Learning Innovation Manager provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of simulation-based education and experiential learning opportunities across undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. This role supports WGU's mission of competency-based, student-centered education by advancing innovative, scalable, and evidence-based simulation and clinical learning experiences. Leads initiatives that integrate emerging simulation technologies, virtual and digital learning strategies, and experiential education best practices to enhance student engagement, clinical judgment, and workforce readiness in online and hybrid learning environments. The position collaborates closely with academic leadership, faculty, clinical partners, and operational teams to ensure alignment with accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and institutional goals.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Provide strategic leadership for simulation and experiential learning initiatives across undergraduate and graduate nursing and health programs.

• Develop and implement a long-term vision for simulation and experiential learning aligned with WGU's mission, strategic priorities, and competency-based education model.

• Lead innovation in virtual simulation, digital learning technologies, augmented and mixed reality applications, and scalable experiential learning solutions for distributed learners.

• Establish and maintain standards of excellence in simulation education consistent with national best practices and accreditation requirements, including pursuit and maintenance of relevant simulation accreditation standards.

• Oversee operational, budgetary, resource allocation, and personnel functions associated with simulation and experiential learning activities.

• Identify and develop strategic partnerships and external opportunities that support program growth, innovation, and sustainability.

Curriculum Integration & Educational Effectiveness

• Collaborate with academic leadership and faculty to integrate simulation and experiential learning experiences throughout nursing and health program curricula.

• Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of competency-based simulation experiences that strengthen clinical reasoning, decision-making, teamwork, communication, and patient-centered care.

• Ensure simulation and experiential learning activities align with accreditation standards, licensure requirements, state board regulations, and program outcomes.

• Expand and enhance virtual, in-person, and hybrid experiential learning opportunities to support diverse student populations and geographically distributed learners.

• Promote evidence-based simulation methodologies, debriefing practices, learner assessment strategies, and outcome evaluation processes.

• Support scalable clinical replacement strategies and experiential learning models that enhance student access and educational quality.

Faculty Development & Academic Support

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for faculty engaged in simulation-based and experiential teaching.

• Support faculty adoption of innovative instructional technologies and simulation pedagogies.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and evidence-based teaching practices.

• Encourage and support faculty engagement in simulation research, quality improvement initiatives, and scholarly dissemination.

Operations & Technology Management

• Oversee operational coordination of simulation and experiential learning resources, technologies, and platforms.

• Ensure effective implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and continuous improvement of simulation technologies and digital learning tools.

• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and quality standards supporting simulation and experiential learning activities.

• Collaborate with university operational and technology teams to optimize learner access, scalability, and user experience across virtual and distributed environments.

• Monitor trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices to support innovation and program advancement.

Partnerships & External Engagement

• Establish and strengthen partnerships with healthcare organizations, clinical agencies, professional associations, and community stakeholders to support experiential learning opportunities.

• Represent WGU in national and regional simulation, nursing education, and healthcare workforce initiatives.

• Collaborate with external partners to expand innovative experiential learning models and workforce readiness initiatives.

• Support external funding opportunities, and strategic initiatives that advance simulation and experiential learning programs.

Assessment & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement assessment and quality improvement strategies to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of simulation and experiential learning initiatives.

• Analyze program outcomes, student performance data, and stakeholder feedback to guide continuous improvement efforts.

• Lead and support research and scholarly activity related to simulation education, competency-based learning, and experiential education innovation.

• Disseminate findings through presentations, publications, professional organizations, and collaborative partnerships.

• Promote data-informed decision-making and evidence-based educational practices across simulation and experiential learning initiatives.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in simulation-based and competency-based nursing and health education, including curriculum design, learner assessment, and student-centered instructional strategies.

• Strong knowledge of nursing and health program accreditation, licensure, regulatory standards, and experiential learning compliance requirements.

• Proficiency in healthcare technologies, virtual simulation platforms, learning management systems, and emerging educational innovations.

• Experience with quality improvement, program evaluation, data analysis, and evidence-based continuous improvement initiatives.

• Skilled in faculty development, adult learning principles, mentoring, and supporting adoption of innovative teaching practices.

• Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, operational management, budgeting, and organizational development expertise.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills across academic, healthcare, and executive environments.

• Strong collaboration and relationship-building abilities with cross-functional, distributed, and external partner teams.

• Effective project management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in fast-paced, evolving environments.

• Proven ability to lead organizational change, foster inclusive and student-centered cultures, and support scalable educational models for diverse learners.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in relevant area from an accredited institution.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of academic leadership, teaching, simulation, or experiential learning experience in nursing and health education.

• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, simulation integration, and competency-based education.

• Experience leading complex projects, operational initiatives, or interdisciplinary teams in academic or healthcare environments.

• Knowledge of nursing and health accreditation standards, licensure requirements, and regulatory expectations related to simulation and clinical education.

• Experience using learning technologies, virtual simulation platforms, and digital education tools.

• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in relevant area from an accredited institution

• Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) or other relevant simulation certification.

• Experience in online, hybrid, or competency-based education models.

• Experience with Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) accreditation processes or simulation program standards.

• Demonstrated success in faculty development, mentoring, and change management initiatives.

• Experience managing budgets, operational planning, and resource allocation.

• Experience developing partnerships with healthcare organizations, workforce partners, or community stakeholders.

• Experience leading innovation initiatives involving virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), or emerging educational technologies

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Working Condition:

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.