Chief Nursing Executive

Emory Healthcare•Atlanta, GA

22d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) serves as the strategic and operational leader of nursing and patient care services across the Emory Healthcare system. Reporting directly to the Chief Administrative/Operations Officer, the CNE is accountable for establishing the vision, direction, and standards that define nursing excellence throughout the enterprise, directly impacting nearly 12,000 team members across Emory Healthcare. As a key member of the senior executive team, the CNE partners with Operating Unit (OU) COOs/CEOs, physician leaders, and administrative executives to advance a culture of safety, quality, compassionate care, and continuous innovation. The CNE ensures that nursing practice is evidence-based, consistent with Magnet principles, and aligned with Emory Healthcare's strategic priorities and academic mission.

Requirements

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) required; Doctorate (DNP or PhD) strongly preferred.
Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Georgia, or eligibility to obtain prior to start date.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible nursing leadership experience.
Minimum of 5 years of executive-level nursing leadership (Vice President, CNO, or CNE) within a large, complex, multi-hospital or academic health system.
Demonstrated success leading system-wide Magnet designation or re-designation processes.
Proven track record of driving measurable improvements in clinical quality, patient safety, and nursing-sensitive outcomes.
Experience managing large, diverse teams and complex nursing operating budgets exceeding $100M.
Nurse Executive, Advanced certification (NEA-BC) or equivalent executive nursing leadership certification required within 12 months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral preparation (DNP or PhD) with a focus in nursing administration, health systems leadership, or related field.
Leading nursing enterprises within an NCI-designated cancer center, AMC, or complex specialty referral center.
Demonstrated experience leading virtual nursing programs, care-at-home models, or technology-enabled care delivery transformation at scale.
Demonstrated experience with value-based care models, population health initiatives, and digital health / nursing informatics.
Familiarity with nursing workforce analytics platforms (e.g., Strata, Meridian, API Healthcare) and their application to strategic planning.
Familiarity with academic-practice partnerships and graduate nursing education program oversight.
Active involvement in national nursing professional organizations (ANA, AONE/AONL, Sigma Theta Tau International).
Published scholarly work in nursing leadership, quality, or clinical practice.

Responsibilities

Provide direct system-level authority over shared services nursing leaders and OU Chief Nursing Officers, who report on a solid-line basis to the CNE and maintain dotted-line accountability to their respective OU COO/CEO; this SHARED governance structure ensures the CNE, working in partnership with the OU COO/CEOs, can establish and enforce enterprise nursing standards, resource priorities, and quality imperatives when system needs require.
Partner with the C-suite to integrate nursing priorities into enterprise-wide strategic planning and resource allocation.
Develop and execute a system-wide nursing and patient care services strategy aligned with Emory Healthcare's mission, vision, and organizational goals.
Serve as the executive champion for nursing excellence, Magnet recognition, and shared governance across all facilities.
Represent nursing at the Board of Directors and executive leadership levels, translating complex clinical realities into compelling strategic narratives.
Establish, monitor, and continuously improve clinical quality standards, patient safety frameworks, and nursing-sensitive outcome metrics across the system.
Drive adoption of evidence-based practices and champion a culture of zero-harm and high reliability.
Oversee nursing regulatory compliance with TJC, CMS, Georgia Department of Public Health, and other applicable bodies.
Provide executive oversight of infection prevention, patient experience initiatives, and nursing-led quality improvement programs.
Lead the design and implementation of next-generation care delivery models, including virtual nursing, team-based care, and AI-augmented clinical decision support.
Serve as executive sponsor for nursing informatics strategy, partnering with digital and clinical informatics teams to optimize EHR utilization and reduce documentation burden.
Champion the integration of predictive analytics and real-time data tools to enable proactive, precision-based nursing interventions.
Evaluate and pilot emerging technologies including remote monitoring, smart room capabilities, and wearables to extend nursing's reach and impact.
Foster a system-wide culture of innovation by establishing nursing innovation councils, incubator programs, and pathways for staff-generated ideas to reach implementation.
Attract, develop, and retain top nursing talent through compelling leadership, competitive programs, and a distinctive professional practice environment.
Oversee system-wide nurse staffing strategies, workforce planning models, and scheduling frameworks that optimize patient care delivery.
Redesign the nursing workforce model to optimize role differentiation across RNs, APRNs, LPNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel, maximizing top-of-license practice at every level.
Develop and scale grow-your-own talent pipelines including clinical ladder programs, internal APRN development tracks, and partnerships to build a diverse, sustainable nursing workforce.
Design competitive retention strategies that address burnout, moral injury, and the unique needs of Gen Z and Millennial nurses entering the workforce in significant numbers.
Build a robust nurse residency and fellowship ecosystem that accelerates onboarding, reduces first-year turnover, and deepens clinical and leadership competencies.
Champion engagement within the nursing workforce, creating pathways for advancement across all levels.
Lead enterprise-wide nursing workforce planning using predictive modeling to anticipate supply-demand gaps, succession risks, and pipeline needs years out.
Champion flexible staffing models, including float pool optimization, gig-model supplemental staffing platforms, and cross-training initiatives to improve resilience and reduce agency dependency.
Foster a culture of psychological safety, professional growth, and shared accountability.
Oversee the nursing operating budget in collaboration with hospital leadership, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently and effectively.
Lead system-wide nursing operations including care delivery models, staffing ratios, productivity benchmarking, and resource optimization.
Evaluate and implement innovative care delivery models that maximize the contribution of nurses across the full scope of practice.
Partner with Supply Chain and Finance to manage nursing-related capital and operational expenditures.
Leverage Emory Healthcare's academic mission to advance nursing research, scholarship, and the translation of evidence into practice.
Maintain strategic relationships with the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and other academic partners to support graduate education, nurse residency programs, and clinical learning.
Promote a culture of inquiry, innovation, and professional publication among nursing staff.
Build and sustain collaborative relationships with physician leaders, hospital executives, ancillary services, and community partners.
Function as a visible and accessible leader, maintaining strong relationships with frontline nurses, charge nurses, and unit-based councils.
Represent Emory Healthcare in national nursing and healthcare leadership forums, advancing the organization's reputation and influence.
Additional Duties as Assigned