Lead Innovation Manager, Nursing and Health

About this role

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:   Grade: Professional 313

Pay Range: $123,000.00 - $190,700.00 Job Description

  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 . L eads 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 regiona

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