Senior Director, Adult Acute Services
Location: Missoula, MT
Reports to: Chief Nursing Officer
Salary: $120-145K

Position Summary:
Are you a bold, visionary leader ready to elevate nursing practice and patient care across an enterprise? We’re looking for a Senior Director of Adult Acute Services who will bring operational excellence, strategic thinking, and an unwavering focus on patient-centered care to a vital service line. In this influential role, you'll steer clinical, financial, and administrative performance for Adult Acute Services, while serving as a champion for Nursing Excellence across the organization.
You’ll collaborate with senior leadership, physicians, and frontline teams to shape the future of nursing care—developing innovative programs, driving measurable outcomes, and fostering an engaged and empowered workforce. This is more than a leadership role—this is a chance to leave a lasting legacy in healthcare.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Lead the Adult Acute Services division with a clear vision aligned to the organization's mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Drive performance in clinical quality, patient safety, financial outcomes, and workforce development.
• Spearhead new initiatives that improve patient outcomes, enhance the patient and family experience, and strengthen clinical operations.
• Partner with senior leaders across departments to build a cohesive and collaborative environment.

Financial Oversight

• Manage and optimize budgets, staffing models, and resource allocation.
• Use data-driven insights to improve cost-efficiency, justify strategic investments, and measure the impact of key programs.
• Develop business plans and justify resource needs based on patient volume and organizational goals.

Clinical and Administrative Excellence

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, safety protocols, and quality benchmarks.
• Champion evidence-based practices and data-informed decision-making.
• Promote clinical excellence through coaching, mentorship, and recognition.

Team & Talent Development

• Build and sustain a high-performing, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.
• Develop and execute strategies for recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Identify growth opportunities for team members and cultivate emerging leaders.
• Ensure staff are equipped with the tools, support, and training needed for success.

Organizational Influence

• Serve as a key nursing executive liaison within internal and external committees and initiatives.
• Partner across the enterprise to advance shared goals, navigate change, and drive innovation in care delivery.
• Build strong relationships across departments to ensure consistency and collaboration.

Qualifications:
Education & Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) required; Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or Business strongly preferred.
• Active RN license in Montana or a compact state required.
• Professional certifications in nursing leadership, patient safety, or quality improvement preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive nursing leadership experience required; 5+ years preferred.
• Experience leading inpatient acute care operations or a nursing service line strongly desired.
• Track record of delivering results through collaboration, innovation, and team development.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
• Strategic mindset paired with hands-on leadership capabilities.
• Passion for advancing nursing practice and improving lives.