Executive Nursing Director, Heart & Vascular Care Line

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA The Executive Nursing Director, Heart and Vascular Care Line, is the senior nursing executive responsible for integrating and advancing cardiovascular care across University of Utah Health and partner organizations. The role aligns care line strategy with nursing practice and operations, elevates nurse and patient perspectives in decision-making, and promotes Magnet-driven excellence in quality, safety, patient experience, and professional nursing practice.As a partner on the three-person Care Line Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Executive Nursing Director, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the CMO Executive Director (MD) for Heart and Vascular, this leader coordinates cardiovascular services across inpatient, outpatient, perioperative, procedural, and rehab settings, and leads strategic growth, operational strategy, innovation, quality/safety initiatives, academic integration, and financial stewardship while fostering high reliability and collaboration. The role reports to the Care Line Clinical Board (with functional reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer) and co-leads the Care Line Executive Operations Committee (CLEOC) to achieve care line goals and outcomes. Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing required; Master of Science in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or Business strongly preferred.
Five years progressive leadership experience.
Clinical practice experience in cardiovascular and/or cardiology care.
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the interstate compact if switching residency to State of Utah. Must maintain current Interstate Compact (multi-state) license if residency is not being changed to Utah.
Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Seasoned senior nurse and enterprise leader with deep cardiovascular expertise and experience leading complex, multi-site operations through influence and integration.
Proven executive presence and ability to partner as a co-leader with administrative and physician partners in setting strategy, allocating resources, and driving enterprise-level results in matrixed environments.
Strong clinical, operational, and financial leadership track record, including measurable improvement in quality, safety, patient experience, workforce outcomes, and performance.
Demonstrated strategic and systems thinking, builds multi-year strategies and leads systemwide clinical integration across sites and partner organizations.
Collaborative, human-centered leader with high emotional intelligence, strong communication, sound judgment, and a commitment to inclusive, interdisciplinary practice and innovation.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience in a Magnet designated hospital or health system preferred

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Growth
Develop and execute strategic and business plans that advance care line priorities and strengthen competitive position.
Assess market dynamics, patient needs, and the competitive landscape to identify growth and innovation opportunities.
Sets a clear, aligned vision for Heart and Vascular that reflects system strategy and Nursing Excellence principles.
Lead business development efforts that expand access, improve outcomes, and increase value across the system.
Strategic-Operational Integration and Liaison Role
Serve as the bridge between care line executives and nursing operations, aligning strategy with frontline practice.
Enable two-way communication that elevates nursing insights and strengthens care line decisions.
Translate care line initiatives into operational guidance for nursing leaders and support consistent implementation.
Create clear communication and feedback mechanisms to drive transparency, engagement, and alignment across clinical areas.
Quality, Safety and Patient Advocacy
Represent nursing priorities in quality, safety, and resource decisions, advocating for frontline realities and patient needs.
Champion high reliability, transparency, and continuous improvement through shared accountability and organizational learning.
Ensure patient and family perspectives inform care line strategy, program planning, and leadership discussions.
Lead and monitor care line quality, safety, and patient experience priorities (including OKRs and metrics) in partnership with ELT leaders.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as a trusted ELT partner, modeling shared leadership and advancing the care line’s culture, mission, and strategy.
Align physician, nursing, and administrative leaders on shared goals, navigating differences through collaboration and trust.
Translate care line strategy into actionable guidance so leaders across departments and sites execute in a coordinated way.
Build strong relationships with nursing leaders, physicians/APPs, staff, interdisciplinary partners, and senior system leaders.
Leadership and Workforce Development
Model transformational leadership that inspires innovation, empowerment, and professional excellence.
Cultivate a culture where nurses at all levels feel informed, inspired, and connected to the care line’s mission.
Build credibility and alignment with key stakeholders to ensure nursing’s integral role in strategic advancement.