Your future role at a glance
Location: Remote
Department: Center for Career Advancement
Schedule: Day Shift | Full-time
Salary: $138,258.29 - $195,187.61 per year
Eligible for annual bonus incentive
LI-Remote
Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Benefits that help you thrive
Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
Benefit options and eligibility vary by position, scheduled hours and location. Benefits are subject to change at any time. Your recruiter will provide the most up-to-date details during the hiring process.
How you'll make an impact in this role
The Academic Partnerships Operations Director provides strategic leadership for Ascension's academic partnership network. This role is responsible for shaping the operational framework that supports and scales strategic academic alliances, ensuring they not only meet current workforce needs but also anticipate future talent demands. This position drives innovation in operational models, establishes robust metrics for long-term strategic impact, and ensures the efficient deployment of resources to achieve Ascension's critical workforce development and talent acquisition objectives.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Vision & Operational Roadmap : Define and champion the strategic operational roadmap for academic partnerships, ensuring alignment with Ascension's long-term workforce planning, mission, vision, and values, engaging executive stakeholders across the organization.
Operational Model Design & Innovation: Develop and continuously improve consistent, scalable operational processes and guiding structures for all phases of academic partnerships. This includes everything from selecting new partners at the national level to integrating them and ensuring ongoing effectiveness. Also, introduce innovative approaches for how partnerships are formed and managed.
Cultivate Executive-Level Relationships: Forge and sustain high-level, strategic relationships with internal stakeholders and academic institutions, positioning Ascension as a preferred partner and influencing program development to mutual advantage.
Strategic Oversight & Risk Mitigation: Provide oversight for contract negotiations and affiliation agreements, ensuring optimal terms, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.
Drive Strategic Initiatives & Talent Pipeline: Lead high-impact cross-functional collaborations to design and execute system-wide initiatives that enhance recruitment, retention, professional development, and build a robust, future-ready talent pipeline for Ascension.
Advanced Analytics & Foresight: Design and interpret advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and strategic evaluation frameworks to measure the long-term effectiveness and ROI of partnership initiatives, driving continuous strategic refinement.
What minimum requirements you'll need
Education:
High School diploma equivalency with 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required, with 2 of those years being in leadership/management OR Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree with 3 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required, with 2 of those years being in leadership/management.
What additional preferences we're seeking
Education:
Master's degree preferred (e.g., Healthcare Administration, Education, Business, Human Resources)
Experience:
Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic academic partnerships, workforce development, or healthcare administration, with a track record of designing and scaling complex programs.
Key Competencies:
Full understanding of academic landscapes and healthcare workforce dynamics.
Demonstrated ability to develop, articulate, and execute visionary partnership strategies.
Expertise in strategic planning, change management, and organizational development.
Exceptional executive-level communication, negotiation, and stakeholder influence.
Strong analytical skills with proven ability to forecast trends and make data-driven strategic decisions.
Proven leadership in fostering innovation and driving best practices.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights6.12.pdf) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRightsSp6.12.pdf) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
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