Director of Nursing (DON)

UHS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

St Simons By-the-Sea is a 101-bed behavioral health hospital specializing in psychiatric care and addiction treatment for both adults and adolescents. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, evidence-based services in a supportive and collaborative environment where every staff member plays a vital role in changing lives. With a strong commitment to clinical excellence and compassionate care, we provide patients with the tools and support they need to achieve lasting recovery. Our programs are designed to address the unique needs of each individual, creating meaningful opportunities for progress, healing, and long-term success. Nestled on the picturesque shores of St Simons Island, Georgia, our facility offers a serene coastal setting that promotes privacy, comfort, and focus. This peaceful environment not only enhances the patient experience but also creates a truly rewarding workplace for professionals seeking purpose-driven careers. Conveniently located within driving distance of Jacksonville, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, and surrounding communities through South Georgia and North Florida, St Simons By-the-Sea combines accessibility with a tranquil atmosphere—making it an ideal place to grow your career while making a lasting impact. We are seeking an exceptional, battle-tested leader to serve as Director of Nursing. This executive role requires a decisive, forward-thinking leader capable of navigating complexity, driving transformation, and building high-performing teams in a fast-paced behavioral health environment. The Director of Nursing is a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for establishing nursing strategy, ensuring clinical excellence, and aligning operations with the mission, vision, and values of Universal Health Services (UHS). This leader will shape culture, elevate performance, and position the hospital for sustained growth and operational strength.

Requirements

Current license to practice nursing in the state of Georgia
Bachelor of Science in Nursing required
Three or more years of progressive nursing management experience in behavioral health setting
Proven executive nursing leadership experience with responsibility for large teams or multi-unit clinical operations, including demonstrated success leading growth, turnaround, cultural transformation, or significant operational improvement initiatives.
Exceptional strategic thinking and operational rigor, with the ability to translate vision into measurable results, manage budgets and labor performance, oversee quality and patient safety metrics, and drive disciplined execution.
Executive presence with highly developed communication skills, sound judgment under pressure, and the emotional intelligence and integrity necessary to influence across all levels of the organization and lead through change in a high-stakes environment

Nice To Haves

Master of Science in Nursing is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Provides strategic and operational oversight for all nursing services within the hospital, including: Strategic Leadership – Developing and executing nursing strategies aligned with organizational priorities, quality standards, and long-term growth objectives
Clinical and Operational Oversight – Ensuring safe staffing, regulatory compliance, accreditation readiness, and adherence to evidence-based practice while maintaining day-to-day operational stability
Team Development – Recruiting, mentoring, and retaining strong nursing leaders and staff; cultivating a culture of accountability, engagement, and professional excellence
Performance & Quality Management – Establishing and monitoring key performance indicators related to patient safety, quality outcomes, employee engagement, and operational efficiency; leading performance improvement initiatives with disciplined execution
Decision-Making & Risk Management – Assessing complex clinical and operational challenges, managing risk appropriately, and making sound decisions in time-sensitive, high-impact situations