Job description

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Job Title:
Associate Dean for Clinical and Strategic Partnerships, Assistant/Associate Clinical Professor

Department:
To be determined, pending applicant qualifications and content expertise

Reports To:
Dean, College of Health Professions; Chair, Department TBD

Anticipated Start Date:
January 2026
Contract Length:

12 months

About the College of Health Professions:

The College of Health Professions (CHP) at Sacred Heart University prepares students for meaningful careers in today’s dynamic healthcare environment through inclusive, collaborative, and experiential learning. With state-of-the-art facilities and a strong emphasis on interprofessional education, CHP offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the clinical and health sciences. Students gain hands-on experience through advanced simulation, clinical placements, and global service-learning. Guided by the University’s mission, the College fosters excellence, compassion, and a commitment to social justice, community, and the common good.

Position Summary:

The College of Health Professions invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, open-rank Clinical Faculty appointment (Assistant or Associate Clinical Professor) serving as Associate Dean for Clinical and Strategic Partnerships. Departmental alignment and faculty rank will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and area of expertise.

The Associate Dean for Clinical and Strategic Partnerships at the College of Health Professions combines operational, academic, and strategic leadership to support the Dean in advancing the College’s mission, growth, and external profile. Working closely with leaders from academic, clinical, and community sectors, this role enhances the regional and national impact of the College through creative partnerships and new program initiatives. Responsibilities include building, managing, and reinforcing relationships with external clinical sites; overseeing clinical education in the College; ensuring adherence to agreements and accreditation standards; and facilitating student placements and faculty professional development to fulfill the College’s mission and educational objectives. Additionally, the role oversees the creation and execution of innovative special programs in partnership with the Dean. The appointee will also serve on the Dean’s leadership team. This is a faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Clinical Professor level. In accordance with Faculty Handbook expectations for clinical faculty, the role includes teaching, advising, service, and engagement in clinical or scholarly activities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Partnership Development

• Partner with the Dean’s office and program leadership to develop and implement strategies for program growth, innovation, and curriculum enhancement that leverages clinical partnerships.
• Support the Dean and University Advancement on strategic partnership revenue and philanthropic opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Dean, executive, and clinical leaders to identify, create and execute strategic opportunities for innovation, joint ventures, and workforce development initiatives.
• Assist the Chairs and the Dean with budgetary recommendations for clinical/experiential education software and vendor contracts.
• Represent the College in external meetings, boards, and advisory councils to elevate the institution’s profile and strengthen its network of partnerships.

Oversight of Clinical Education

• In collaboration with clinical education faculty, oversee and supervise the clinical education experience at affiliate sites, ensuring students receive adequate support and necessary training.
• Assist with student clinical placements, support faculty who teach in clinical settings, and address concerns related to clinical education.
• Attend state, regional and national conferences/meetings as appropriate to ensure current knowledge of workforce and clinical placement trends and issues.
• Develop and maintain databases to curate clinical placements across College programs.

Compliance and Accreditation

• Review and revise partnership and clinical education affiliation agreements for up-to-date compliance with federal and state laws, and University and College policies and procedures, coordinating with the Office of General Counsel.
• Manage student misconduct at clinical/experiential education sites with chairs, program directors, and departmental academic progression and retention committees.
• Manage Title IX related issues for students occurring at clinical or experiential learning sites, in coordination with the SHU Title IX Coordinator.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Lead interdisciplinary collaboration among departmental/academic program clinical education directors, program directors, and chairs, including potential partnerships with the College of Nursing and the Provost’s Office.
• Collaborate closely with the Dean’s leadership team to promote the College and University’s mission, vision, core values, and operationalize strategic plans.
• Act as a bridge between academic programs and external organizations to align education, workforce development, and research priorities with healthcare industry needs.
• Value and promote belonging and human dignity, and advocate for College initiatives.

Faculty Roles and Responsibilities

• Fulfillment of the roles and responsibilities of a clinical faculty member as outlined in the Faculty Handbook

Required Qualifications:

• Earned academic or professional doctoral degree (Ph.D., or Ed.D., or similar) in an allied health profession from an accredited institution.
• Currently hold or be eligible for certification and/or licensure in their professional discipline, in good standing, if applicable. A minimum of two years of clinical experience working in the healthcare sector.
• Strong commitment to teaching excellence and student success.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with people of varying clinical and non-clinical backgrounds and to articulate student and program clinical education needs to external clinical partners.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to coordinate interdisciplinary teams and partnerships.
• Experience managing sensitive matters such as student misconduct and Title IX issues.
• Proficiency in database management to assist in the curation of clinical placement records.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in formal academic leadership roles (e.g., internship/clinical coordinator, program director, or similar positions) involving responsibilities such as program administration, curricular oversight, accreditation, student support, and/or faculty collaboration.
• Familiarity with the development and revision of partnership and clinical education affiliation agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to align academic programs with workforce development and healthcare industry needs.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills to individuals at a senior level (e.g., CEO/COO/CMO).
• Experience in operationalizing strategic plans and advancing the mission, vision, and values of an academic institution.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

This position requires on-campus presence, with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities. The role may include periodic travel to clinical and community partner sites to support external engagement and program/college development. The work may involve standing for extended periods, operating standard classroom equipment, and engaging with students.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted through the University’s online application portal; materials submitted via email or other means will not be accepted or considered. Only complete applications will be reviewed

Interested applicants, please submit the following materials via this online portal:

• Cover letter addressing the applicant’s specific qualifications for this position
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three professional references
  • References will only be contacted if the candidate is invited for an on-campus interview

*Note: Finalist candidates will be asked to submit a written statement (maximum of two pages) that describes their teaching philosophy and approach, specifically addressing how their teaching practices support the University’s Mission.

For questions about the position, please contact Stephanie Clines, PhD, LAT, ATC, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs for the College of Health Professions, at [email protected].

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live