Director of Strategic Operations

WSNA•Tukwila, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Operations reports to the Executive Director, joins WSNA’s executive team, and serves as a key advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director and a central connector across the organization’s labor, professional practice, communications, education, legislative, and political work. The role helps turn organizational vision into measurable impact for nurses and patients statewide by shaping and driving strategy, leading cross-functional initiatives, aligning governance decisions with operational plans, and strengthening organizational performance and collaboration. The Director provides executive-level leadership and coordination for strategic and annual planning, high-priority projects, governance processes, and operational improvement. The position also provides oversight for IT, membership and business operations, and related office services, and supervises assigned leaders and staff. The role integrates justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into planning, governance, and cross-department initiatives. This is a hybrid, office-based position with the opportunity to work remotely part time; travel and attendance at WSNA events, meetings, and labor actions are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience.
5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in executive-level leadership, strategy, or project management roles in a union, professional association, advocacy, political, or related organization.
Demonstrated success designing and implementing strategic plans and complex, multi-stakeholder projects in a multifaceted organization.
Prior supervisory experience, including leading professional staff and working effectively across teams and functions.
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize information and offer clear, actionable recommendations.
Advanced project management skills, including planning, prioritization, risk management, and facilitating cross-functional teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate in challenging, high-stakes, and diverse situations.
Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships.
Commitment to WSNA’s mission and to the values of organized labor, professional nursing, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Proficiency with office productivity tools, project management software, and member or customer relationship management systems.
Valid Washington driver’s license and access to an operational motor vehicle that is currently insured.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with union, labor, and legislative environments.
Experience in health care or nursing-related organizations is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Executive Director and senior leaders to set strategic and annual priorities and translate them into plans, timelines, and accountabilities across departments.
Lead or coordinate complex, cross-functional strategic operational initiatives and organizational change efforts involving multiple departments and stakeholders.
Provide executive-level oversight for strategic and annual planning processes, including stakeholder engagement and tracking outcomes.
Structure governance calendars, agendas, materials, and follow-up so Board of Directors and Labor Executive Council decisions are informed and translated into staff work.
Translate governance decisions into actionable goals, performance measures, project plans, and clear reporting to governance and membership.
Design and maintain project management frameworks, including charters, timelines, milestones, and communication plans, for high-priority initiatives.
Facilitate project team meetings, remove obstacles, and keep projects aligned with WSNA’s mission and member needs.
Develop tools and routines to track progress, identify barriers, and support problem-solving and consistent delivery on organizational commitments.
Build mechanisms that connect Board direction, member priorities, and staff work, reduce silos, and strengthen collaboration across teams.
Provide executive-level leadership and coordination for IT, membership and business operations, and related office services.
Partner with Finance on budget development and monitoring, connecting financial information to strategic decisions and project plans.
Guide operational improvement projects in business office functions, process documentation, and alignment with WSNA policies and legal and contractual requirements.
Supervise assigned leaders and staff, such as the Director of IT and Business Operations and the Executive Assistant, and support their development in project management, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
Integrate JEDI principles into strategic planning, governance work, and cross-department initiatives, and leverage partnerships that advance WSNA’s mission and values.
Travel and attend WSNA events, meetings, and labor actions.