System Director, Nursing and Clinical Education

About the job

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary
The Director, Nursing and Clinical Education provides strategic leadership and oversight for nursing education, clinical competency, professional development, and workforce readiness across the health system. The Director partners with nursing, clinical, operational, and executive leaders to develop a highly competent, engaged, and future-ready clinical workforce and ensure education and competency programs support organizational priorities, regulatory requirements, professional practice standards, and excellence in patient care. The role provides strategic direction for nursing professional development, transition-to-practice programs, clinical education, and leadership development across the organization.

• Job Description
• The Director, Nursing and Clinical Education will:
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a system-wide nursing and clinical education strategy aligned with organizational priorities, nursing strategic goals, workforce needs, and clinical outcomes.
• Lead enterprise initiatives related to clinical competency, workforce development, professional development, leadership development, and professional practice.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to nursing and operational leadership regarding education, training, and professional development needs.
• Support achievement of strategic nursing goals, quality outcomes, and workforce engagement initiatives.
• Provide strategic oversight of nursing orientation, onboarding, residency, fellowship, and transition-to-practice programs.
• Lead nursing professional development initiatives across inpatient, outpatient, and Alliance Partner settings, ensuring appropriate consistency and standardization across the system.
• Promote specialty certification, continuing education, academic progression, and lifelong learning.
• Support shared governance and professional practice council activities related to education and development.
• Direct the strategy, design, implementation, and evaluation of nursing and clinical education programs, including interdisciplinary education where appropriate.
• Establish system-wide standards for clinical competency assessment, validation, remediation, educational practices, and learning resources.
• Evaluate emerging educational technologies, simulation programs, and innovative learning methodologies.
• Develop and oversee nursing specific leadership development programs for frontline and emerging nurse leaders in partnership with Human Resources and Talent Development.
• Partner with Human Resources and Talent Development to support workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership pipeline development.
• Develop and advance clinical career pathways and professional growth opportunities in partnership with nursing leadership.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CARF, Magnet, state, federal, and professional standards related to education and competency.
• Maintain documentation and reporting processes to support regulatory surveys and accreditation reviews.
• Monitor mandatory education completion and organizational compliance metrics.
• Collaborate with operational leaders to identify educational priorities and performance improvement opportunities.
• Represent nursing and clinical education on system-level committees, interdisciplinary councils, and external professional or academic partnerships, as appropriate.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets and provide oversight of education staffing, resources, technology, and other investments.
• Ensure effective utilization of education resources across the system and evaluate program effectiveness, outcomes, and return on investment.
• Performs all other duties as assigned in accordance with SRAlab’s needs and priorities.

• Reporting Relationships
• Reports directly to System Chief Nurse Executive.
• Provides leadership and oversight to Nursing Professional Development Specialists, Clinical Nurse Educators, Simulation Program staff, Education Coordinators, Clinical Education Managers, and other education-related positions, as assigned.

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required
• Master's degree in Nursing or a related healthcare field required; Bachelor's degree in Nursing required.
• Doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, EdD, or DHA) preferred.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive nursing leadership, nursing professional development, clinical education, or related healthcare leadership experience, including demonstrated responsibility for complex programs and cross-functional initiatives.
• 3+ years leading clinical education, professional development, nursing practice, or workforce development programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide or multi-site clinical education, professional development, or workforce development initiatives strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience required.
• Nursing Professional Development board certification (NPD-BC), CENP, NEA-BC, or other relevant nursing leadership or specialty certification preferred.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership and expertise in nursing and clinical education, workforce development, clinical competency, change management, regulatory readiness, and program evaluation, with strong business acumen, interprofessional collaboration, and executive communication skills.

• Working Conditions
• Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Pay and Benefits*:

Pay Range:
$116,700.00 - $193,800.00
Benefits:
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits

*Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.