Director of Operations & Associate Chief Nurse Executive (ACNE)

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Associate Chief Nurse Executive (ACNE) reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities:

The Associate Chief Nurse Executive (ACNE) is the leader responsible for leading strategic, budgetary and operational initiatives and functions as the subject matter expert on issues related to nursing practice and patient care within Northwestern Medicine's Academic Medical Center (AMC). This position leads across multiple cross functional departments, collaborating with directors, clinical department leadership, physicians, nursing leadership, and other care team leaders, as well as administrative departments within the organization. At the direction of the Chief Nurse Executive, the ACNE is responsible for the coordination and implementation of unified and innovative models of clinical care and monitoring and improving clinical quality outcomes across an assigned portfolio. This role demonstrates leadership and provides guidance to leadership team, as well as in the administrative and clinical decision-making process, to integrate operational and clinical management functions. This position will work with executive leadership on system-wide initiatives and clinical integration to deliver consistent patient care experience.

• Under the direction of the Chief Nurse Executive, the Associate Chief Nurse Executive, in collaboration with Nursing, Leadership, Directors, Medical Staff, and Managers, is responsible for meeting operational, financial and strategic goals for unit/ area or programs assigned. Leads teams to outcomes which support the advancement of NM, Nursing’s Strategic Roadmap, and professional nursing practice at NM.
• Develops and implement unified and innovative models of nursing care.
• Develops and monitors strategies to advance on interprofessional sensitive quality outcomes and promotes excellence in nursing practice through continued application of Magnet standards in all aspects of patient care.
• Establishes annual and long-term program or service goals, strategies, and plans (including business plans) consistent with entity goals and strategies.
• Establishes and ensures compliance with policies, procedures and standards of practice consistent with organizational philosophy, quality standards and goals.
• Sponsors, participates in and leads process improvement initiatives.
• Provides leadership in ensuring that processes that span units, services, and other departments and disciplines are measured and improved collaboratively.
• Target improvements by reducing process variation, eliminating redundancy, and/or implementing new technology.
• Accountable for the development, implementation, and evaluation of staff/human resource information and processes to support clinical practice of nursing and care delivery, including utilization of current practice guidelines and standards.
• With staff and leader input, recommend department goals to NM executive leaders. Communicate agreed upon goals and context to teams.
• Maintain awareness of current and emerging trends and issues within areas of accountability, ensuring alignment with regulatory and accreditation standards. Proactively communicate and educate staff on relevant requirements, changes, advancements, opportunities, and future directions.

Required:

• Active Illinois RN License: Must currently hold licensure as a professional nurse in the State of Illinois.
• Nursing Specialty Certification: Certification in an appropriate nursing specialty is required.
• Educational Background:
  • Master’s degree in nursing or a related field is required.
  • If the master’s degree is not in nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is required.
• Experience:
  • A minimum of 8–10 years of combined healthcare management and clinical experience.
• Skills:
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
  • Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, and quality improvement skills.

Preferred:

• Current or previous Academic Medicine experience strongly preferred 
• Financial forecasting such as capital, clinical productivity and operating budget planning 
• Performance Improvement experience, specifically within Nursing/Clinical Quality or Operations
• DNP/PhD

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.