A large, multi-hospital health system is recruiting a Director of Academic Affairs to be based in Nashville, TN, with remote flexibility and system-wide national scope. This executive-level role owns the full academic portfolio — Undergraduate Medical Education (UME), Continuing Medical Education (CME), and Clinical Research — across 65 hospitals and approximately 510 outpatient centers. The position sits at the intersection of clinical education strategy and research operations leadership, serving as a key advisor to executive leadership while driving measurable growth in GME pipeline, accreditation compliance, and multi-site research performance. For a physician-administrator or senior academic affairs leader ready to operate at enterprise scale, this is a rare opportunity to shape medical education and research culture across one of the largest health systems in the country.
Perks and Benefits
- Remote/work-from-home base with approximately 25% travel to clinical partner sites and national conferences
- Executive-level leadership role with direct accountability to senior health system leadership
- Resources, tools, and organizational infrastructure supporting career development and advancement
- Equal opportunity employer with reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities
- E-Verify participating employer; visa eligibility subject to standard organizational policy
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on program and conference demands
Practice Highlights
- Oversees academic affairs across a national footprint of 65 hospitals and approximately 510 outpatient centers and additional sites of care
- Leads UME clerkship program design and execution across multiple specialties including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry — defining learning outcomes, faculty compensation, and curriculum aligned with LCME accreditation standards
- Drives GME recruitment pipeline strategy through UME rotations and clinical experiences, connecting medical student exposure directly to residency program growth
- Directs CME programming strategy, funding oversight (grants, sponsorships, participant fees), and full ACCME accreditation compliance, including adherence to Standards for Commercial Support
- Serves as organizational liaison between hospital medical staff, executive leadership, accrediting bodies (LCME, ACCME, state boards), and external academic partners
- Leads enterprise-wide clinical research operations including industry-sponsored studies, investigator-initiated research, and collaborative academic partnerships across all hospitals, outpatient centers, and affiliated physician groups
- Provides direct oversight of multi-site research administration: study start-up, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, budgeting, contracting, and patient recruitment
- Monitors KPIs, enrollment targets, study timelines, and financial outcomes; oversees resource allocation, staffing models, and infrastructure planning to support organizational growth
- Identifies expansion opportunities into new therapeutic areas, markets, and research partnerships; represents the organization at national research, healthcare, and industry forums
- Utilizes educational technologies, learning management systems, and Microsoft Office Suite; manages data collection and reporting for accreditation bodies and academic stakeholders
Qualifications
- Master's degree required; advanced degree in medical education, healthcare administration, or a related field strongly aligned with role scope
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in medical education, ideally within a clerkship or clinical education setting, with demonstrated experience managing clinical research operations
- Preferred: executive leadership experience in academic medical administration, specifically directing a medical student clerkship program, GME program, or CME program
- Proven curriculum development expertise — designing, implementing, and evaluating medical education curricula and teaching methodologies across multiple specialties
- Strong financial acumen including budget development, cost-benefit analysis, and strategic financial decision-making
- Proficiency in educational technologies and learning management systems; strong organizational and data-management skills
- Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records check; ability to travel approximately 25% of the time to clinical partner sites and national conferences
About the Community
Nashville, Tennessee is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing cities in the Southeast — a hub for healthcare innovation, higher education, and a thriving arts and music culture that draws professionals from across the country. The city offers a low cost of living relative to comparable metros, no state income tax, highly rated suburban school districts, and easy access to outdoor recreation across the Cumberland River corridor and surrounding Tennessee hill country. With a major international airport, a robust restaurant and entertainment scene, and a collaborative healthcare ecosystem anchored by several major academic medical centers, Nashville is an exceptional base for a national academic affairs leader.