Program Director - Occupational Therapy

Program Director, Occupational Therapy

St. Ambrose University invites applications for a full-time Program Director position in the Occupational Therapy Department. The Program Director provides academic and administrative leadership for the occupational therapy program and advances an inclusive, student-centered learning community grounded in professional excellence, ethical practice, service, and social responsibility.

Located in Davenport, Iowa, St. Ambrose University is an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners. The University empowers all Ambrosians to act courageously, seek wisdom through faith and reason, work for justice, and lead lives of service. The Occupational Therapy Program Director will model and advance these commitments through collaborative leadership, high-quality occupational therapy education, meaningful community engagement, and preparation of graduates who support the health, participation, dignity, and well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position Summary

The Program Director is the academic and administrative leader of the Occupational Therapy program. The successful candidate will provide leadership for program planning, curriculum implementation and evaluation, faculty development, student success, accreditation compliance, budget oversight, community and clinical partnerships, and continuous quality improvement.

In accordance with ACOTE Standard A.2.1, the Program Director must be a full-time faculty member appointed to the occupational therapy degree-level program. The Program Director is responsible for management and administration of the program, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, faculty and staff selection, maintenance of accreditation, and strategies for professional development.

Essential Responsibilities

The Program Director will:

• Provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the Occupational Therapy program in alignment with University, college, department, and professional accreditation expectations.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards, policies, reporting requirements, and accreditation timelines.
• Lead program assessment, curriculum review, outcomes evaluation, strategic planning, and continuous quality-improvement initiatives using data-informed and evidence-based processes.
• Oversee the design, implementation, evaluation, and revision of an inclusive curriculum that prepares graduates for ethical, entry-level occupational therapy practice.
• Manage program operations, including planning, budgeting, resource allocation, facilities and equipment needs, faculty and staff selection, and administrative processes.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, evaluate, and retain qualified faculty, adjunct faculty, and staff; promote a collegial culture of professional growth, scholarly engagement, teaching excellence, and shared governance.
• Support student recruitment, admission, progression, retention, advising, professional development, and timely completion, while fostering a learning environment characterized by belonging, accountability, compassion, and high expectations.
• Collaborate with academic fieldwork coordinators, capstone personnel as applicable, clinical and community partners, alumni, employers, and professional organizations to maintain strong educational and practice partnerships.
• Teach in the occupational therapy curriculum in areas consistent with professional expertise and program needs.
• Promote faculty and student scholarship, service, leadership, advocacy, and engagement with local, regional, and national occupational therapy communities.
• Represent the program and University professionally within the community, University committees, accreditation activities, recruitment events, professional organizations, and external partnerships.

Required Qualifications

Consistent with ACOTE Standard A.2.1, applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Initial certification as an occupational therapist.
• Current Iowa occupational therapy license or eligibility for licensure in Iowa.
• A doctoral degree awarded by an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized institutional accrediting agency.
• A minimum of eight years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy.
• Documented experience that includes clinical occupational therapy practice, administrative experience, scholarship, understanding of the role of the occupational therapy assistant, and faculty experience with teaching responsibilities appropriate to the degree level offered by the program.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and administer an occupational therapy educational program, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, faculty and staff selection, accreditation maintenance, and professional-development initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACOTE accreditation standards, policies, and reporting processes.
• 4 years of experience as a faculty member with evidence of effective teaching at the postbaccalaureate level, mentoring, communication, collaborative leadership, and commitment to student success.
• Commitment to ethical practice, inclusion, community engagement, and the values of occupational therapy.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with one or more of the following:

• Prior experience as an occupational therapy program director, department chair, academic fieldwork coordinator, capstone coordinator, or comparable academic leadership role.
• Experience leading ACOTE self-studies, accreditation reporting, substantive-change processes, program evaluation, or accreditation-site-visit preparation.
• Record of scholarship, professional presentations, grant activity, community-engaged work, or leadership within AOTA, IOTA, state associations, or other professional organizations.
• Experience with curriculum development, competency-based assessment, student retention initiatives, simulation, interprofessional education, or innovative instructional design.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with healthcare systems, schools, community organizations, and occupational therapy practice settings.

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

• A letter of application addressing qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three professional references

St. Ambrose University is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive educational community that welcomes individuals of varied beliefs, backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The University encourages applications from qualified candidates who will contribute to its Catholic, diocesan mission and its commitment to courage, wisdom, justice, and service. #HEJ