System Associate Director of Nursing Programs (Manager III- Administrative Leadership)

Job Summary
This position provides executive-level strategic leadership and oversight for all KCTCS nursing education, advancing a coordinated system-wide approach to nursing program quality, workforce responsiveness, student success, and nursing talent development. The role leads systemwide efforts related to nursing curriculum alignment, academic and workforce pathway innovation, regulatory and accreditation compliance, licensure readiness, and workforce training strategy to ensure programs remain aligned with evolving healthcare industry demands and state and national standards. Serving as the system’s lead nursing education strategist, the position cultivates and manages statewide partnerships with healthcare employers, regulatory agencies, accrediting bodies, educational organizations, and government entities to inform policy, strengthen Kentucky’s healthcare workforce pipeline, and drive programmatic innovation. The position also provides strategic oversight of KNAT, KMA, grants, vendor partnerships, and contracts while leveraging data-informed decision-making, operational excellence, and continuous improvement to enhance program effectiveness and workforce outcomes.

KCTCS offers a hybrid work schedule with a requirement to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per work week.

Hybrid work schedules are subject to periodic review and may be modified or terminated at any time

Job Duties:
Provides executive-level strategic leadership for Nursing Curriculum Committees and the design, alignment, and advancement of nursing education across KCTCS, ensuring systemwide consistency, academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and responsiveness to evolving healthcare workforce demands. Leads enterprise-wide nursing curriculum strategy and innovative initiatives in collaboration with System and College leadership and healthcare industry leaders to expand high-impact programs and improve student and workforce outcomes. Directs cross-functional initiatives that leverage workforce analytics, labor market data, and licensure data to inform transformational decisions related to program growth, academic alignment, and statewide workforce readiness.

Serves as the systemwide executive liaison and lead nursing education strategist for KCTCS with state, regional, and national regulatory, accrediting, and professional organizations, advancing policy alignment, regulatory advocacy, and workforce development priorities. Provides authoritative leadership and subject matter expertise on nursing education, licensure, accreditation, scope of practice, and healthcare training regulations to ensure institutional compliance, strategic positioning, and statewide impact. Represents KCTCS in high-level policy discussions, advisory councils, and cross-sector initiatives influencing the future of nursing education and Kentucky’s healthcare workforce ecosystem.

Leads systemwide strategic initiatives to redesign and expand nursing education pathways through innovative articulation models, credit-for-prior-learning strategies, dual credit partnerships, and accelerated credentialing opportunities that increase access, persistence, completion, and workforce entry. Oversees the development and implementation of transformative statewide pathway initiatives aligned with employer demand, healthcare workforce priorities, and student success goals. Provides executive oversight for grant development, resource acquisition, compliance management, and performance accountability, ensuring sustainable program growth and measurable institutional impact. Champions operational excellence and continuous improvement strategies that enhance efficiency, scalability, and student outcomes across nursing initiatives.

Directs the system-wide strategy and continuous advancement of healthcare workforce training initiatives, including KNAT, KMA, and other short-term credentialing programs critical to Kentucky’s healthcare talent pipeline. Provides executive leadership for program innovation, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and performance optimization to ensure alignment with healthcare industry standards and emerging workforce needs. Leads teams and external partners in the delivery of scalable, high-impact initiatives while overseeing contractual performance, fiscal accountability, and statewide reporting requirements. Utilizes advanced data analytics and outcomes assessment to drive strategic improvements in program quality, participant achievement, and workforce impact.

Cultivates and leads strategic statewide partnerships with healthcare employers, industry associations, government agencies, and educational stakeholders to advance a coordinated, employer-responsive nursing workforce strategy for KCTCS. Establish sustainable engagement structures, including advisory councils and sector partnerships, to guide alignment between curriculum, workforce expectations, and emerging healthcare trends. Leads collaborative initiatives that leverage stakeholder intelligence and labor market data to inform program innovation and address critical workforce shortages.

Minimum Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Nursing and three years of relevant experience or equivalent.

Active RN License

KNAT – 1 year long term care, MOI training

Preferred Qualifications:
Doctoral Degree and five years of relevant experience or equivalent

Certified Nurse Educator

Prior experience as a Nurse leader for a KCTCS nursing program.

Accreditation experience

Additional Skills Requested:
Master's Degree in Nursing and three years of relevant experience or equivalent.

Active RN License