Director of Nursing Workforce

Position Summary:

The Director of Nursing Workforce at the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) will be responsible for establishing and leading the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center. The nursing profession is losing nurses at an astounding pace. The Director will lead the Center to address educational capacity, workforce supply, workplace wellness, and future policy recommendations through comprehensive data collection and analysis, publication of pertinent workforce reports, and strategic planning. Lastly, the Director will collaborate with key stakeholders—including the board of nursing, professional nursing associations, academic institutions, state agencies, and healthcare organizations—to ensure the state’s nursing workforce meets current and future demands.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Collection & Analysis

• Oversee the systematic collection of statewide nursing workforce data to identify potential imbalances between supply and demand.
• Utilize quantitative and qualitative methods to forecast nursing workforce trends and inform policy development.
• Maintain a centralized database on nursing workforce metrics and ensure timely dissemination of findings to stakeholders.

Publication of Reports & Information

• Develop and publish regular reports, policy briefs, and white papers to inform government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare providers about nursing workforce needs.
• Present data-driven insights and recommendations to policymakers, board members, and industry partners.

Strategic Planning & Policy Implementation

• Lead the creation of a statewide plan for nursing that addresses gaps in educational capacity and workforce readiness.
• Collaborate with public and private sector partners to implement strategies that strengthen the nursing pipeline and enhance retention.
• Advise VHWDA leadership, legislators, and advisory boards on policy changes necessary to support a robust nursing workforce.

Program Oversight

• Establish clear goals and performance metrics for each program, ensuring effective evaluation and continuous quality improvement of health incentive programs.
• Collaborate with finance and grants teams to identify funding opportunities and manage program budgets.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison with the Virginia Board of Nursing, professional nursing organizations, academic institutions, staff nurses, state agencies, and nurse executives.
• Convene regular meetings, conferences, and working groups with diverse stakeholders to monitor progress on statewide nursing workforce initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative environment that promotes shared goals, open communication, and innovative problem-solving across the nursing community.

Leadership & Advocacy

• Represent the Nursing Workforce Center in local, regional, and national forums focused on healthcare workforce development.
• Advocate for nursing workforce priorities with legislators, regulators, and key decision-makers, highlighting data-supported solutions.
• Guide internal teams to build organizational expertise in nursing workforce matters.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Nursing licensure (RN) in Virginia or eligibility for licensure.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership experience in nursing, workforce planning, health policy, or related fields.
• Experience with data analysis, workforce research, program management, and stakeholder engagement.
• A graduate degree in Nursing, Public Health, Health Administration, or a related field is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong understanding of nursing education, professional practice, and the regulatory environment in Virginia.
• Proven ability to analyze and interpret complex workforce data to guide strategic planning and policy recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including experience with policy writing, report production, and public presentations.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Effective leadership and team management capabilities, including project oversight and budgetary responsibilities.
• High organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Familiarity with federal and state funding mechanisms for workforce development.
• Experience in grant writing, program evaluation, and reporting.
• Active membership or involvement in professional nursing organizations.
• Valid driver’s license.

Compensation, Benefits, & Work Environment:

• Salary Range: $135,000-$140,000 annually
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement options, and generous parental leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
• VHWDA is a collaborative work environment, with most of the team’s work being done in a co-working environment.
• All team members are required to be in the office 3 days a week. VHWDA’s office is in downtown Richmond, VA.  
• Occasional travel around the Commonwealth and to various conferences is expected.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit the following to employment@vhwda.org by Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.

• Resume/CV
• Contact information for three professional references, with one being a former supervisor. Name, Title, Relationship to Candidate, Email, and Phone Number.
• Optional: Cover letter. The letter should include relevant experiences related to capacity building, nursing workforce development, your leadership approach, and any significant changes in employment history.

Application review will begin immediately. All applications will be reviewed, and candidates will be contacted no later than May 9, 2025. The expected start date will be mid-July.

For questions, please email employment@vhwda.org or call/text (804) 592-1724.

Visit: https://www.vhwda.org/public-info/current-openings