What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Nursing Strategic Planning & Implementation position at ECU Health?
ECU Health
About ECU Health
ECU Health is a mission-driven, 1,708-bed academic health care system serving more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is comprised of 13,000 team members, nine hospitals and a physician group that encompasses over 1,100 academic and community providers practicing in over 180 primary and specialty clinics located in more than 130 locations.
The flagship ECU Health Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, and ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital serve as the primary teaching hospitals for the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine share a combined academic mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina through patient care, education and research.
Position Summary
The Director of Nursing Strategic Planning & Implementation is a leadership role that combines visionary strategy with operational accountability. This position is responsible for overseeing the planning & implementation of the nursing strategic plan across inpatient and ambulatory settings, ensuring alignment and cohesion throughout the entire health system. The Director acts as the central coordinator for connecting initiatives, fostering synergy, and ensuring that all nursing programs and projects support a unified vision for excellence in clinical care, operational efficiency, and nursing engagement.
In addition to overseeing the strategic plan, the Director leads the development and execution of the corporate nursing communication plan, ensuring consistent, transparent, and effective messaging to nursing staff and stakeholders across all care environments. In addition, the Director is accountable for overseeing other projects and initiatives as assigned, thereby ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to advancing nursing practice throughout the health system. The role requires a dynamic leader who can collaborate across departments, integrate efforts across inpatient and ambulatory settings, and drive nursing excellence throughout ECU Health's diverse clinical footprint.
Responsibilities
Lead the planning and implementation of the nursing strategic plan across the entire health system, including inpatient and ambulatory settings, ensuring initiatives are cohesive, aligned, and impactful.
Serve as the central coordinator for nursing programs and projects across all care environments, ensuring interdependencies are identified and addressed to maintain alignment and avoid duplication of efforts.
Partner with nursing and executive leadership to ensure initiatives reflect organizational values and address the unique needs of inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based care.
Develop frameworks and processes to track the progress and integration of nursing initiatives, ensuring consistent communication of priorities and goals across the system.
Direct the design, execution, and evaluation of nursing initiatives to achieve clinical, operational, and financial objectives across all care settings.
Oversee nursing program coordinators ensuring clear accountability for the delivery of results.
Develop, monitor, and adjust project plans to align with system-wide priorities and the timely delivery of outcomes.
Apply evidence-based methodologies, such as Lean and design thinking, to drive continuous improvement across nursing operations in inpatient, ambulatory, and community care.
Collaborate with nursing leadership, frontline staff, interdisciplinary teams, and support services to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of initiatives across care environments.
Develop and execute a corporate nursing communication strategy, ensuring consistent messaging aligned with organizational goals and nursing priorities across all care settings.
Partner with marketing and communications to design and deliver internal communication campaigns, ensuring nursing staff across inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based settings are informed and engaged.
Create tools and processes to support transparent communication of progress, challenges, and successes related to nursing initiatives.
Facilitate feedback loops to ensure that frontline nursing staff in all settings have a voice in corporate communication and strategy development.
Oversee daily operations related to nursing programs and initiatives, ensuring efficient use of resources, adherence to timelines, and alignment with system-wide goals.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the clinical, operational, and financial impact of nursing initiatives across inpatient and ambulatory settings.
Partner with nursing executives and operational leaders to address inefficiencies and implement sustainable solutions that enhance patient care and staff workflows in all care environments.
Establish systems of accountability to track progress, remove barriers, and sustain improvements in operational performance.
Build and maintain strong relationships with nursing, clinical, and administrative stakeholders across inpatient, ambulatory, and community settings to foster collaboration and alignment.
Facilitate transparent communication regarding the progress, challenges, and successes of strategic initiatives.
Advocate for nursing priorities in organizational decision-making forums and act as a champion for nursing excellence across the health system.
Foster an environment of engagement, innovation, and ownership among nursing leaders and staff throughout all care settings.
Provide targeted education and coaching to nursing leaders and frontline staff on Lean methodologies, strategic thinking, and process improvement tools.
Mentor nurse managers and other leaders in implementing data-driven strategies to achieve organizational goals and sustain excellence across inpatient and ambulatory nursing practices.
Identify opportunities to strengthen leadership competencies within the nursing workforce to build a robust pipeline of future leaders across the health system.
Lead the development and implementation of dashboards, analytics tools, and performance metrics to measure the success of nursing strategies and provide actionable insights across all care settings.
Analyze system-wide data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in nursing operations.
Ensure accurate, relevant, and timely reporting to support decision-making across all levels of the organization.
Minimum Requirements
It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.
Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.
We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.
About ECU Health
ECU Health is a mission-driven, 1,708-bed academic health care system serving more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is comprised of 13,000 team members, nine hospitals and a physician group that encompasses over 1,100 academic and community providers practicing in over 180 primary and specialty clinics located in more than 130 locations.
The flagship ECU Health Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, and ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital serve as the primary teaching hospitals for the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine share a combined academic mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina through patient care, education and research.
Position Summary
The Director of Nursing Strategic Planning & Implementation is a leadership role that combines visionary strategy with operational accountability. This position is responsible for overseeing the planning & implementation of the nursing strategic plan across inpatient and ambulatory settings, ensuring alignment and cohesion throughout the entire health system. The Director acts as the central coordinator for connecting initiatives, fostering synergy, and ensuring that all nursing programs and projects support a unified vision for excellence in clinical care, operational efficiency, and nursing engagement.
In addition to overseeing the strategic plan, the Director leads the development and execution of the corporate nursing communication plan, ensuring consistent, transparent, and effective messaging to nursing staff and stakeholders across all care environments. In addition, the Director is accountable for overseeing other projects and initiatives as assigned, thereby ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to advancing nursing practice throughout the health system. The role requires a dynamic leader who can collaborate across departments, integrate efforts across inpatient and ambulatory settings, and drive nursing excellence throughout ECU Health's diverse clinical footprint.
Responsibilities
Lead the planning and implementation of the nursing strategic plan across the entire health system, including inpatient and ambulatory settings, ensuring initiatives are cohesive, aligned, and impactful.
Serve as the central coordinator for nursing programs and projects across all care environments, ensuring interdependencies are identified and addressed to maintain alignment and avoid duplication of efforts.
Partner with nursing and executive leadership to ensure initiatives reflect organizational values and address the unique needs of inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based care.
Develop frameworks and processes to track the progress and integration of nursing initiatives, ensuring consistent communication of priorities and goals across the system.
Direct the design, execution, and evaluation of nursing initiatives to achieve clinical, operational, and financial objectives across all care settings.
Oversee nursing program coordinators ensuring clear accountability for the delivery of results.
Develop, monitor, and adjust project plans to align with system-wide priorities and the timely delivery of outcomes.
Apply evidence-based methodologies, such as Lean and design thinking, to drive continuous improvement across nursing operations in inpatient, ambulatory, and community care.
Collaborate with nursing leadership, frontline staff, interdisciplinary teams, and support services to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of initiatives across care environments.
Develop and execute a corporate nursing communication strategy, ensuring consistent messaging aligned with organizational goals and nursing priorities across all care settings.
Partner with marketing and communications to design and deliver internal communication campaigns, ensuring nursing staff across inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based settings are informed and engaged.
Create tools and processes to support transparent communication of progress, challenges, and successes related to nursing initiatives.
Facilitate feedback loops to ensure that frontline nursing staff in all settings have a voice in corporate communication and strategy development.
Oversee daily operations related to nursing programs and initiatives, ensuring efficient use of resources, adherence to timelines, and alignment with system-wide goals.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the clinical, operational, and financial impact of nursing initiatives across inpatient and ambulatory settings.
Partner with nursing executives and operational leaders to address inefficiencies and implement sustainable solutions that enhance patient care and staff workflows in all care environments.
Establish systems of accountability to track progress, remove barriers, and sustain improvements in operational performance.
Build and maintain strong relationships with nursing, clinical, and administrative stakeholders across inpatient, ambulatory, and community settings to foster collaboration and alignment.
Facilitate transparent communication regarding the progress, challenges, and successes of strategic initiatives.
Advocate for nursing priorities in organizational decision-making forums and act as a champion for nursing excellence across the health system.
Foster an environment of engagement, innovation, and ownership among nursing leaders and staff throughout all care settings.
Provide targeted education and coaching to nursing leaders and frontline staff on Lean methodologies, strategic thinking, and process improvement tools.
Mentor nurse managers and other leaders in implementing data-driven strategies to achieve organizational goals and sustain excellence across inpatient and ambulatory nursing practices.
Identify opportunities to strengthen leadership competencies within the nursing workforce to build a robust pipeline of future leaders across the health system.
Lead the development and implementation of dashboards, analytics tools, and performance metrics to measure the success of nursing strategies and provide actionable insights across all care settings.
Analyze system-wide data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in nursing operations.
Ensure accurate, relevant, and timely reporting to support decision-making across all levels of the organization.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher in nursing (BSN) required.
- Master's degree in nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field required (DNP/MBA preferred).
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in nursing, healthcare project management, or strategic operations.
- Proven experience overseeing the planning and implementation of strategic plans and aligning initiatives across inpatient and ambulatory care settings.
- Experience developing and managing communication plans for large-scale nursing or healthcare initiatives.
- Experience managing multiple projects and initiatives concurrently, with a proven track record of aligning efforts with organizational priorities.
- Familiarity with Project Management, Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies is highly preferred.
- Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing.
- Project management certification (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma) preferred.
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence diverse teams across multiple care environments.
- Strong operational acumen with a focus on efficiency, quality, and patient-centered outcomes in inpatient and ambulatory settings.
- Advanced expertise in strategic planning, data analysis, and performance measurement.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining focus on long-term objectives.
- Collaborative mindset with a passion for mentoring and developing leaders at all levels.
- Visionary leader capable of aligning nursing strategy with organizational imperatives while executing tactically.
- Results-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to achieve measurable improvements in clinical and operational outcomes.
- Resilient and adaptable, with a commitment to fostering innovation and continuous learning.
- Advocate for a culture of excellence, engagement, and accountability within nursing practice across all care settings.
It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.
Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.
We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.
Salary : $117,666 - $194,168
