Academic Relations Manager

Responsible for developing and managing relationships with technical schools, colleges, and community organizations to support clinical hiring across the post-acute health care system. This role oversees all aspects of academic partnerships, including clinical placement agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and school engagement initiatives. The Academic Relations Manager will represent the organization at school and community events to promote career opportunities and enhance the organization’s visibility as an employer of choice in healthcare.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain relationships with nursing and allied health programs, clinical pipeline development as well as support functions.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and academic partners, managing all aspects of the relationship.
• Coordinate and oversee the execution and renewal of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and clinical affiliation agreements between the System and partner schools.
• Collaborate with HR, Operations, and Nursing leadership to align academic partnerships with System workforce needs.
• Facilitate student placement opportunities for clinical rotations.
• Partner with site leaders to ensure a positive student clinical experience that supports future employment pipelines.
• Attend and represent the organization at school career fairs, recruitment events, and community engagement activities.
• Develop and distribute marketing materials to promote the System’s career opportunities.
• Track outcomes of school partnerships, including student clinical rotations, conversions to hires, and retention data.
• Maintain current knowledge of local, regional, and state-level workforce development programs and nursing education initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal communications to share success stories and highlight academic partnerships.
• Promote the image and reputation of the System by exhibiting servant leadership and maintaining open lines of communication.
• Contribute to the work of committees, project teams, and other collaborative efforts of the System.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of the System.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong relationship management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and external institutions.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills for representing the organization at events.
• Knowledge of nursing and allied health education programs, particularly CNA, CMA and LPN training.
• Ability to manage multiple partnerships, projects, and timelines simultaneously.
• Strategic and analytical mindset with ability to use data to drive decision-making.
• Professional presence with strong organizational and follow-up skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, or related field required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in healthcare recruitment, academic relations, workforce development, or nursing education.
• Experience working within post-acute or long-term care environments preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing partnership agreements and MOUs.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between system facilities and school locations.

EEO / M/ F/ D/ V/ Drug Free Workplace