Chief Nursing Executive

About the role

The County of Santa Clara is seeking a Chief Nursing Executive to lead nursing and patient care services throughout the SCVH enterprise. This role is unique due to its systemwide leadership, strategic scale, and mission-driven impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of acute care nursing to ensure safe, high quality, patient centered care.
• Direct standards of care, drive excellence in autonomous nursing practice, and guide a workforce dedicated to advancing patient and family centered care.
• Oversee nursing standards, practices, and policies across SCVH, ensuring alignment with mission, goals, and accreditation standards.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range plans for nursing and patient care services.
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams to strengthen continuous quality improvement, risk management, and patient safety.
• Establish staffing plans, resource needs, and budgets that support clinical excellence and compliance with regulations.
• Lead system-wide improvements to enhance patient family experience, staff engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the voice of nursing in key executive committees and governance bodies.
• Build strong relationships with community partners, teaching affiliates, nursing schools, and health system leaders.

Requirements

• Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• A master’s degree in nursing or a related healthcare/business field.
• Approximately 5–10 years of increasingly responsible nursing administration experience, including senior leadership roles–ideally in a teaching hospital.
• Expertise in nursing operations, quality, care management, performance improvement, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.
• Ability to lead a large, complex patient care organization with strategic clarity, operational rigor, and strong relationships.
• Commitment to nursing excellence, staff development, and equitable, patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in strategic planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
• Ability to manage a diverse and expansive nursing workforce.
• Proven track record of improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Collaborative leadership and team building.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Leadership in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Benefits

SCVH offers competitive executive benefits including:

• CalPERS pension with reciprocity across most California public agencies.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan with both pre-tax and Roth options.
• $325,000 in term life insurance plus $300,000 in accidental death and disability coverage.
• Premium health insurance options (Kaiser, HealthNet, Valley Health Plan).
• Fully covered dental and vision plans for individuals and families.
• Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care Assistance, and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Wellness and leadership development programs.

Pay

$200,000 - $250,000 annually based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible work arrangements.