Chair, School of Nursing

Chair, School of Nursing

Main Campus - Boston, MA
R07421

Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons has a strong tradition of empowering women and of challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons University was one of the first higher education institutions to focus on preparing women to become leaders and has evolved to become a university offering a women-centered undergraduate program, with graduate programs open to all. Nursing education at Simmons dates back to 1933. At that time, Simmons implemented a five- year baccalaureate program in nursing and became a charter member of the National League for Nursing. Simmons continues its proud tradition of educating nurses. Today, Simmons School of Nursing offers a traditional 4 year BSN program, a 16-month accelerated BSN for students with a prior baccalaureate degree, a 2-year Dix scholars program for adult learners, a 4 + 1 BSN-MSN FNP, a Direct Entry MSN FNP, MSN FNP, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

The Nursing School is housed in the College of Natural, Behavioral and Health Sciences (CNBHS). CNBHS is a collegial and supportive community of teachers and scholars within a uniquely multidisciplinary College. Simmons faculty and staff are truly committed to our mission of preparing students to become champions of social justice and leaders in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace. Simmons University strives for inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience: One of our strategic goals is to become the most inclusive campus in New England. As a University committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we seek candidates with a demonstrated ability to work with students across a broad range of social and personal identities and perspectives. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Job Summary: The School of Nursing (SON) Chair is a Boston based, 12-Month Contract Faculty leadership position. This individual is employed by the University and reports to the Associate Dean of Nursing. The Chair is responsible for supervision of the Undergraduate Program Director, Graduate Program Director, Director of Simulation, Director of Dotson Bridge Program and the Director of DNP programs. The Chair will have administrative and advisement responsibilities, with limited teaching commitments. Collaborating with the Undergraduate and Graduate Directors and the Associate Dean of the SON, the Chair ensures academic rigor and curricular alignment of the nursing programs while meeting the needs of current and prospective students and aligning with the overall vision and standards of the CNBHS, the standards of the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and Boards of Nursing.

The Chair of the SON is responsible for the support of program design, development, and delivery, with the goal of creating the optimal student experience and desired student outcomes. In collaboration with a core team across several functional areas of the college (Strategic Initiatives, Student Financial Services, Admissions, Registrar, Technology, Finance, and Legal) and as applicable in collaboration with Simmons strategic partner, 2U, the Chair must focus on several areas of the programs to ensure quality: accreditation, curriculum, faculty, student support, operations and profitability.

Curriculum Management Responsibilities

• Oversee SON academic programs in collaboration with the Associate Dean, SON Program Directors, Director of Graduate Clinical Education and Course Coordinators.
  
• Monitor and maintain academic policies within the SON.
  
• Ensure that the academic rigor of the curriculums are in alignment with applicable Board of Nursing requirements and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials.
  
• Review, evaluate, and recommend course offerings and course size in collaboration with the Associate Dean, SON Program Directors, and course coordinators.
  
• Promote development of interdisciplinary curricula and research.
  
• Advocate and support faculty and students in research and scholarship activities.
  
• Coordinate and lead faculty mentoring and faculty development programs.
  
• Oversee curriculum adherence to professional standards and best practices, in consultation with the Program Directors and course coordinators.
  
• In consultation with the Associate Dean assure that all requirements for the undergraduate and graduate program accreditation standards are being met.
  
• Participate in the SON accreditation and/or board approval activities.
  
• Develop, monitor, and oversee implementation of the undergraduate and graduate school of nursing program evaluation plans in collaboration with program directors and Operations team.
  

Administrative Responsibilities

• Ensure welfare of the undergraduate and graduate SON through managing and planning budgets in coordination with the Associate Dean for SON, SON Program Directors, Operations Director, and Dean.
  
• Monitor faculty workload in conjunction with the program directors to ensure compliance with University policies and college needs.
  
• Complete the annual review process for the SON Program Directors.
  
• Ensure that the annual review process is completed for SON faculty, Director of Graduate Clinical Education, support staff, and Manager of Clinical Education.
  
• Provide leadership in supporting conditions conducive to the improvement of the overall infrastructure of the SON through the maintenance of effective systems and processes within the College.
  
• Facilitate SON meetings in conjunction with support staff.
  
• Maintain active, responsive, and positive communication with SON program directors, faculty, staff, and other university members.
  
• Assist the Dean and Associate Dean with the maintenance of a culture of quality, trust, and accountability.
  
• Work with the SON faculty, staff, advisors, Director of Operations, Dean, and Associate Dean to strengthen, coordinate, integrate, and implement strategic goals established by the SON and CNBHS.
  

College Management Responsibilities, Including Student-Facing

• Serve as a resource with Admissions, 2U, Student Affairs, Accessibility Services, Office of Advising, Career Education Center, faculty, students, and clinical partners.
  
• Assist program directors with complex student issues.
  
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean and Operations team in providing leadership for programming, special events and ceremonies, graduation celebrations.
  
• Participate in the CNBHS-wide strategic planning as well as that of the SON.
  
• Participate in the development of strong campus and community partnerships.
  
• Provide visionary leadership for the SON in seeking grant funded educational initiatives and partnerships.
  
• Participate (with Dean, Associate Dean, and faculty leaders) in recruitment and admissions of students.
  
• Participate in and convene as needed an Academic Standards Committee or other SON and College-level student review processes taking into consideration both College and accreditor policy requirements.
  
• Work with Associate Dean, Program Directors, Director of MSN Clinical Education, Manager of Clinical Education, faculty and staff to coordinate student success initiatives as appropriate for the SON.
  
• Promote and support innovative and interdisciplinary research and courses.
  

Faculty Management Role

• Oversees the SON faculty hiring processes (in collaboration with Operations Director, Dean, Associate Dean, HR, and the Provost's Office). Promote consistency and policy compliance, strong candidate pools, and success in the hiring of tenure and non-tenure stream, clinical, and adjunct faculty.
  
• In concert with the Associate Dean and Dean manage and coordinate the SON faculty review processes, including annual, mid-point, tenure, promotion, voucher, and Periodic Developmental Multi-Year Reviews.
  
• Work with the Associate Dean and Program Directors in relation to sensitive faculty dismissal processes when necessary.
  
• Advocate for equitable allocation of capital resources required to support faculty scholarship and student learning objectives consistent with professional standards and best practices (laboratory facilities, instrument facilities, etc).
  
• Provide leadership and promote professional development for faculty in the SON.
  

External Role

Serves as a communication link in conjunction with the Associate Dean, program directors, faculty, College, University, 2U, and other external constituents including but not limited to employers, alumni, donors, clinical partners, and professional associations as they associate with the SON.

Other Duties

Other responsibilities as determined by the Associate Dean or Dean.

Qualifications/Skills

• Graduate degree in Nursing
  
• Must have terminal degree in Nursing or Health Related field (PhD, DNP, DNSc)
  
• 8 - 10 years of experience as faculty including on-line experience
  
• 5 - 10 years of experience administrative oversight and leadership of academic programs in higher education
  
• Ability to build and manage budgets
  
• Creative problem solver
  
• Strong and effective communicator
  
• Ability to motivate and build consensus among faculty
  
• Ability to effectively collaborate with the Associate Dean for the SON, Operations, Program Directors and faculty to strengthen, coordinate, integrate, and implement the goals established by the program and college.
  

Term of Service

The Chair, School of Nursing position will be a Boston-based 12-month faculty contract.

Required Application Materials

To apply, please submit a cover letter (including the title of the position for which you are applying), a CV, a teaching statement, and a leadership statement. Additional supporting materials to document excellence in teaching, such as course evaluations and syllabi of courses taught, are optional and welcomed.

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the "Resume/CV" box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.


To apply, visit https://simmons.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Simmons-Careers/job/Main-Campus---Boston-MA/Chair--School-of-Nursing_R07421-1

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons College is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals.

We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.