Kentucky Region Manager/Director of the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA)

The Kentucky Region Manager/Director of the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) provides strategic and operational leadership for academic partnerships, student experiences, clinical education, research and grant administration, and workforce development across the assigned region. This position serves as a key liaison among Deaconess Health System, educational institutions, clinical departments, and community stakeholders, aligning academic initiatives with organizational priorities and regional workforce needs. The role promotes strong partnerships, effective student placements, regulatory compliance, sound fiscal stewardship, and consistent academic affairs processes.

The final title of Manager or Director will be determined based on the selected candidates experience, qualifications, and leadership background.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Develop and maintain relationships with colleges, universities, technical schools, and other educational and community partners.

- Serve as a primary regional contact for academic institutions on clinical placements, affiliation agreements, educational contracts, and workforce development initiatives.

- Identify opportunities to expand educational partnerships, healthcare career pathways, internships, apprenticeships, and other talent pipeline programs.

- Coordinate student placements and experiential learning with clinical leaders, educators, and department managers; support onboarding, orientation, and placement logistics.

- Monitor student placement outcomes and learner feedback to improve the clinical education experience.

- Collaborate with Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and clinical leadership to address workforce trends and future staffing needs.

- Coordinate regional research and grant administration activities, including budget development, monitoring, reporting, documentation, and regulatory compliance.

- Partner with finance, legal, compliance, and institutional leadership to support research integrity, fiscal accountability, audit readiness, and accreditation requirements.

- Implement OAA strategic initiatives, establish regional goals and performance measures, and prepare reports and presentations for stakeholders.

- Represent Deaconess at educational, workforce, and community events and participate in advisory boards, committees, and professional organizations as appropriate.

- Provide leadership and support to regional OAA staff and program coordinators, fostering collaboration, professionalism, development, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelors degree in healthcare administration, education, business administration, organizational leadership, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in healthcare, higher education, workforce development, academic affairs, or a related field.

- Experience managing partnerships and collaborative initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Masters degree in healthcare administration, education, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.

- Experience in healthcare education, clinical education coordination, student placement, or workforce development.

- Experience with research administration, grant management, or academic business operations.

- Experience leading teams, regional programs, or multi-site initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Knowledge of healthcare education, academic partnerships, clinical education, and workforce development.

- Working knowledge of research administration, grant management, and the compliance and business operations of research and medical education.

- Strong relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.

- Strategic planning, program development, project management, and the ability to manage competing priorities.

- Ability to lead, coach, and develop staff; analyze performance data; and make informed recommendations.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and the ability to learn and use data management systems and AI platforms to improve productivity.

- Knowledge of accreditation standards, affiliation agreements, and applicable regulatory requirements.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise professional discretion, and travel regularly throughout the assigned region.

Travel Requirements:

- Regular travel throughout the assigned region to Deaconess locations, affiliate sites, educational partners, and community events as needed.