Chief Nursing Officer

Ascension•Milwaukee, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Ascension Columbia St. Mary's is seeking a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to oversee the overall management of nursing practice, nursing education and professional development, nursing research, nursing administration, and nursing services. The CNO will provide leadership to management within their areas of responsibility, oversee the development and continuous improvement of services, policies, processes, and programs. This role involves formulating and implementing operational strategies and initiatives, and overseeing operations, budget, financial targets, and human resources management.

Requirements

Registered Nurse credentialed from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required.
Licensure from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing OR current home state license if considered multi-state/Compact State.
Master's degree required.
5 years of experience required.
2 years of leadership or management experience required.

Nice To Haves

Nurse Executive credentialed from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) preferred.
Nurse Executive credentialed from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) preferred.
10 years of experience preferred.
5 years of leadership or management experience preferred.
Transformational Nursing Leadership: Demonstrated ability to advance professional nursing practice, integrate evidence-based care, and lead strategic initiatives that improve quality, patient safety, and clinical outcomes across the organization.
Operational Excellence & Accountability: Proven success driving operational performance through disciplined execution, measurable results, and a culture of accountability aligned with nursing standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational goals.
Culture & Talent Development: Experienced in fostering a highly engaged, inclusive culture that balances support with high expectations while strengthening recruitment, onboarding, retention, succession planning, and leadership development, including new graduate nurse and emerging leader programs.
Strategic Change Leadership: Skilled at leading complex organizational change, building leadership capability, and ensuring accountability for strategic priorities, cross-functional initiatives, and continuous performance improvement.
Executive Partnership & Influence: Collaborative executive with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills who effectively partners with physicians, executive leaders, and the Board to advance the organization's mission, vision, and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

Oversee the overall management of nursing practice, nursing education and professional development, nursing research, nursing administration and nursing services.
Provide leadership to management within areas of responsibility.
Oversee the development and continuous improvement of services, policies, processes, and programs.
Formulate and implement operational strategies and initiatives.
Oversee operations, budget, financial targets, and human resources management.