Department Chair, Nursing

As the Department Chair of Nursing, you provide executive leadership over the Nursing department, which includes one or more programs serving online students. You articulate the college vision for the continued growth and development of the nursing department and share a strong commitment to progressive graduate, and online education responding to the direction of the Academic Dean. As chief representative of the academic program, you are responsible for the development and execution of duties in the following areas: administrative oversight, leadership, and supervision of resources and program initiatives. Your primary responsibilities of the chair include:  1) Recruiting, selecting, mentoring, and evaluating course faculty for the department; 2) Leading program development and growth including active involvement in student enrollment, retention, and satisfaction; 3) Exercising full administrative responsibility for the program including reporting and accreditation success while participating in department and organization committees to maintain and increase program strength and efficiencies; 4) Collaborating with the Office of Academic Excellence and Student Services to respond to student issues; and 5) Serving as an administrative faculty member teaching courses as needed.

Requirements

Who is American College of Education

Founded in 2005, American College of Education continues to be a leader in professional development through our online programs. The mission of ACE is to deliver high-quality, affordable, and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content, real-world experience and relevant application that places our students’ needs first.

ACE is a premier organization that is continually recognized for its commitment to social responsibility. In 2016, ACE became a Certified B Corporation. As a socially conscious institution, we believe we have a responsibility to our students, alumni, employees, local communities, and society. We strive to make an impact in the world that goes well beyond our bottom line.

Who You Are

You are passionate about helping students achieve their educational goals. You thrive in a competitive and collaborative team environment. You are comfortable working remotely and have experience collaborating with others in a virtual environment. You possess a strong attention to detail.    

As the Department Chair of Nursing, you provide executive leadership over the Nursing department, which includes one or more programs serving online students. You articulate the college vision for the continued growth and development of the nursing department and share a strong commitment to progressive graduate, and online education responding to the direction of the Academic Dean. As chief representative of the academic program, you are responsible for the development and execution of duties in the following areas: administrative oversight, leadership, and supervision of resources and program initiatives. Your primary responsibilities of the chair include:  1) Recruiting, selecting, mentoring, and evaluating course faculty for the department; 2) Leading program development and growth including active involvement in student enrollment, retention, and satisfaction; 3) Exercising full administrative responsibility for the program including reporting and accreditation success while participating in department and organization committees to maintain and increase program strength and efficiencies; 4) Collaborating with the Office of Academic Excellence and Student Services to respond to student issues; and 5) Serving as an administrative faculty member teaching courses as needed.

Compensation

ACE is committed to paying a competitive wage while staying true to our mission of maintaining high-quality, affordable programs for our students. The starting salary rate is $100,000 plus all full-time employees are eligible for an annual bonus. Offers vary depending on education, prior experience, and expertise being applied to the role.

What We Look for in the Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrates self-reliance by meeting/exceeding workflow needs. 
• Demonstrates positive attitude and motivation, concern for students, teamwork, and excellent time management skills. 
• Follows established processes as outlined by organization and leadership. 
• Completes assigned duties based on daily business needs and individual skill set. 
• Consistently produces a high volume of quality work. 
• Capable, and adapts as needed, to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. 
• Proven ability to work independently with limited supervision and with other department personnel. 
• Must support and embrace the College’s B Corp mission to improve the people and communities we serve through our civic engagement initiatives.  
• Must have exceptional communication, organization, and time management skills. 
• Must be "self-motivated" as well as creative and efficient in proposing solutions to complex, time-critical problems. 
• Must be collaborative in driving decisions and a team-player. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail. 
• Builds and maintains student satisfaction. 
• Recognizes and anticipates student needs. 

 Day to Day Responsibilities

In this role you will wear different hats, but your skills will be especially essential in the following areas: 

• Compiles performance reports, provides program information and evaluates program effectiveness.
• Assists in the development of policies, procedures and guidelines of the program and institution.
• Serves as a dissertation committee member/chair as needed.
• Represents, promotes, and supports faculty and the overall department to relevant internal and external audiences.
• Explains organizational decisions to faculty while maintaining a positive, healthy work environment.
• Develops and interacts with potential partnerships to support enrollment growth.
• Provides opportunities for student success by being available to adjudicate student appeals expeditiously.
• Provides programs for non-academic student support services with the objective of maximizing student success.
• Responds in a timely manner to student concerns and issues.
• Recruits, selects, trains and provides oversight and leadership to academic personnel.
• Ensures that both faculty and academic management are hired with the appropriate credentials, knowledge, skill, and experience to meet the needs of the academic program.
• Serves as a mentor to adjunct professors by providing opportunities for professional development, online instructional delivery skills, channels skills for resolving issues, and provides advice and information to ensure their professional success and retention.
• Assigns courses and monitors faculty performance and conducts faculty assessments in accordance with faculty contract and organizational guidelines.
• Encourages, motivates, and inspires faculty to greater levels of excellence.
• Provides content leadership for new programs and courses; reviewing and approving courses developed by course authors.
• Reviews enrollment, retention, and student satisfaction metrics to ensure program growth and success and develops strategy to meet and exceed organizational student retention and satisfaction goals.
• Models successful online teaching and research methods for adjunct faculty, other program staff and students.
• Supports the college when needed as a faculty member.
• Develops and interacts with potential partnerships to support enrollment growth.
• Maintains a professional and technical knowledge of the curricula and industry by participating in leading edge educational workshops/seminars, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies. This includes maintaining a deep knowledge of emerging issues and trends related to the department.
• Ensures the quality of program and course offerings by supporting and promoting research.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Terminal degree in nursing from accredited institution required.
• Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse or a multi-state licensure privilege to practice nursing in the state of Indiana.
• Preferred current healthcare provider CPR.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience required in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse, two of which have been as a faculty member in a professional nursing education program/or higher education administration.
• 5+ years’ experience in teaching and leadership in a formal educational setting using both traditional and non-traditional teaching formats; higher education strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully developing faculty relationships in an online/virtual environment.
• Experience working with state boards, commissions of education or regional accrediting agencies preferred.
• Evidence of professional research and/or creative endeavors and expertise in the field.
• Proven leadership in higher education, remote leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to interpret and write analyses of sophisticated educational research documents.
• Current knowledge of leadership principles and techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, under various deadlines, in a fast-paced environment with the ability to excel in an environment of quick growth, embracing change and progressive collaboration.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Skill in using Microsoft Office Suite applications proficiently.
• Ability to use or learn how to use appropriate technology, include conferencing and learning management systems

Our Commitment to Employees 

Just as we strive to empower our students for success, we also aim to enrich the lives of our employees. For 6 consecutive years, ACE was recognized as one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work, winning the #1 spot for medium-sized companies in 2020. In addition, ACE has earned national recognition, being named a USA Top Workplace in 2022, 2023 and 2024. As a virtual first organization, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a family-like inclusive work environment. For our full-time employees, we offer the following benefits:   

• Medical, dental, & vision Insurance  
• HSA and FSA options  
• Paid parental leave  
• Paid volunteer time  
• Tuition reimbursement & reduction programs  
• Generous PTO   
• 401k and employer match  
• Full-service wellness and EAP program  
• Employee recognition and awards programs  
• Employer paid life & AD&D insurance  
• Short-term disability  
• Employer paid long-term disability  
• And more… 

Physical Demands  

The physical demand described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with and receive communications from students and ACE employees in real time using online and other electronic media. 

Diversity

At American College of Education, we believe that the best learning environment for students and staff is one in which we encounter viewpoints and experiences that are different, yet complementary to ours. This environment is fostered by the presence of persons with diverse backgrounds.  We recognize that acknowledging diversity is a necessary precondition, but sustained effort is necessary to ensure equity and greater inclusion.  Through strategic planning and initiatives, we seek to develop programs that promote equity and inclusion for everyone so that all members of ACE’s community can reach their full potential. To create and maintain a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive learning community, we strive to make all feel equally valued, and we uphold our Commitment to Freedom of Expression.  We may celebrate diversity, but we “live” inclusion.

Additional Notes

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employees are increasingly integrating AI into their roles, demonstrating its potential to boost efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. By utilizing AI technologies, we can streamline processes, gain valuable insights from data, and automate routine tasks, which allows employees to concentrate on more strategic and creative aspects of their work. While AI is a beneficial tool in the workplace, if its use—such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, Copy.ai, etc.—accounts for more than 50% of any work assignments or job responsibilities, it will need to be reported to a direct leader. 

Internet bandwidth speeds from an employee’s remote work location must be a minimum of 50Mbps download speeds and 5Mbps upload speeds. Please note if the bandwidth is shared across multiple devices (tablets, computer, streaming, phone, etc.) you will need higher overall speeds. You can test the speed of your connection by visiting speedtest.net Purchase, setup, installation, support, and ongoing maintenance of reliable internet service is responsible of an individual.

American College of Education seeks to attract and retain a diverse staff consistent with its diverse student body and surrounding communities.

ACE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.