Director, Center for Immersive and Simulation-Based Learning (CISL)

Note: This position has been deemed critical by the School of Medicine and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

School/Unit Information

Stanford University School of Medicine is world renowned for leading edge education, research, patient care and medical advancements.

Department Information

Within the Stanford School of Medicine, Educational Programs and Services (EPS) plays a central role in advancing the school’s educational mission by supporting a broad community of students, trainees, and faculty across the medical education continuum. EPS partners with academic leaders to deliver high-quality programs that prepare future physicians and scientists while fostering innovation in medical education and ensuring an exceptional learning experience for every learner.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Purpose

Educational Programs and Services (EPS) is seeking an experienced Director to provide strategic leadership, vision, and direction for the Stanford School of Medicine’s Center for Immersive and Simulation-Based Learning (CISL). The Director oversees the development, administration, and continuous improvement of standardized patient education, technology-based simulation, and immersive learning programs, ensuring these services effectively support the School’s educational mission and the evolving needs of students, trainees, faculty, and healthcare professionals.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Medical Education Programs, the position works closely with the faculty Associate Dean for CISL, Medical Education leadership, and partners across Stanford Medicine and Stanford University to translate institutional priorities into innovative educational programs, services, and learning environments.

The Director provides both strategic and operational leadership, identifying opportunities to expand simulation-based education, strengthen program effectiveness, and advance emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR). The role requires sound judgment, broad discretion, and the ability to navigate complex educational, technical, and operational challenges while fostering collaboration across multiple disciplines and organizational areas.

The Director also leads and manages a team of professional staff, overseeing program operations, financial resources, educational technology, and strategic initiatives while establishing priorities, developing staff, and fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in simulation-based education and program administration, a commitment to educational innovation and continuous improvement, and the ability to lead complex operations while building strong partnerships across the School, University, and broader healthcare education community.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in health professions education, education, healthcare simulation, business or public administration, or a related field.
• Progressively responsible leadership in healthcare simulation, standardized patient education, or immersive learning in an academic medical setting.
• Expertise in simulation and standardized patient program design and pedagogy including needs assessment, curriculum and scenario design, debriefing, assessment, and evaluation. It also covers advising faculty on complex or sensitive programs while making sure learners and participants are safe and accreditation requirements are met.
• Experience leading educational technology and AI/XR innovation.
• Record of cross-institutional partnerships, scholarly dissemination, and securing grants or other funding.

Core Duties:

• Lead strategic planning and analysis for complex university programs or functions with significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise. Manage and direct the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of programs or functions. Monitor trends and recommend program or functions direction.
• Act as the subject matter expert for School/unit and/or the university regarding the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations. Recommend actions and/or resolve complex issues that span organizational boundaries.
• Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
• Direct and manage outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications, and compliance.
• Oversee or supervise staff in the development and implementation of programs or functions.
• May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.
  

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.
• Relevant subject matter expertise.
• Strong project planning and management skills.
• Experience in or knowledge of business process improvement methodology.
• Ability to act independently and as part of a team.