Chief Nursing Officer

HARTZ Search; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Bon Secours Mercy Health in Cincinnati, Ohio, seeks a visionary Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to shape nursing practice and drive clinical innovation across the health system. This highly visible executive will lead system-wide nursing initiatives, align with organizational priorities, and advance patient safety, quality, and experience.

The CNO will report to the Chief Clinical Officer, mentor nursing leaders, develop workforce strategies, and collaborate with senior executives to transform care

Qualifications

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) required.
• Current state nursing license in the applicable state required.
• Advanced nursing specialty certification, including nursing leadership certification, preferred.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and advance a system-wide vision and strategic direction for professional nursing practice and clinical innovation.
• Lead transformational initiatives to redesign care delivery models and implement innovative patient care approaches.
• Partner with physician and executive leadership to advance clinical quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, patient experience, and outcomes.
• Develop and monitor KPIs and system-wide improvement goals to drive measurable results.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align nursing strategies with organizational priorities and operations.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Leadership communication

Education

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

State nursing licensure

Advanced nursing leadership certification

CPHQ certification (preferred)

Job description

HARTZ Search invites you to explore an exciting opportunity for the System, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) with Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH). This highly visible executive leadership position will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nursing practice, advancing clinical innovation, and transforming care delivery across the health system. Reporting to the Chief Clinical Officer, the CNO will provide strategic leadership for system-wide nursing initiatives, establishing innovative approaches to care delivery that enhance clinical quality, patient safety, patient experience, and operational performance. Working collaboratively with senior executives, physician leaders, and market Chief Nursing Officers, this leader will drive meaningful transformation while promoting nursing excellence throughout the organization.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary, collaborative, and results-driven nursing executive with a demonstrated record of leading large-scale initiatives, developing innovative clinical models, and achieving measurable outcomes within a complex, matrixed healthcare environment.

The Position

The Chief Nursing Officer will establish and execute a comprehensive nursing strategy aligned with the organization's mission and strategic priorities. This executive will lead initiatives to redesign care delivery models, strengthen professional nursing practice, advance workforce development, and implement evidence-based improvements across the health system.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and advance a system-wide vision and strategic direction for professional nursing practice and clinical innovation.
• Lead transformational initiatives to redesign care delivery models, redefine nursing roles, and implement innovative approaches to patient care.
• Partner with physician and executive leadership to advance clinical quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, patient experience, and clinical outcomes.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and system-wide improvement goals to drive measurable and sustainable results.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align nursing strategies with organizational priorities and operational objectives.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in developing, testing, evaluating, and implementing innovative clinical care models across the organization.
• Promote consistent professional nursing standards and evidence-based practices throughout the health system.
• Develop and mentor nursing leaders, establish succession planning strategies, and foster a culture of professional growth and accountability.
• Collaborate on workforce development initiatives, including safe staffing strategies, resource optimization, and risk mitigation.
• Provide strategic direction for nursing clinical requirements, education, and professional development across markets.
• Drive organizational change and operational improvements while maintaining alignment with the health system's strategic objectives.
• Represent the organization in regional, state, and national healthcare forums, advancing nursing excellence and professional practice.

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) required.
• Current state nursing license in the applicable state required.
• Advanced nursing specialty certification, including nursing leadership certification, preferred.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) preferred.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible nursing management experience, including at least eight years in management.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing innovative clinical care models with measurable outcomes.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational transformation, and healthcare operations.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and resource management.
• Proven ability to lead significant change initiatives within a complex, highly matrixed healthcare organization.
• Experience utilizing Lean and Six Sigma principles to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated expertise in nursing leadership development, succession planning, and workforce optimization.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
• Experience with systems thinking and human-centered design preferred.
• Lean or Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt training or certification preferred.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an accomplished nursing executive who combines strategic vision, clinical expertise, operational excellence, and a passion for innovation. This individual will demonstrate exceptional executive presence, the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple levels of leadership, and a commitment to advancing professional nursing practice.

The ideal leader will possess a proven ability to translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, navigate complex organizational environments, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The Opportunity

This is an exceptional opportunity for an innovative and accomplished nursing executive to make a lasting impact on nursing practice and care delivery across a major healthcare system. The CNO will have the opportunity to influence system-wide nursing strategy, champion transformational initiatives, develop future nursing leaders, and drive improvements in quality, safety, and patient outcomes.

Join a leadership team committed to advancing nursing excellence and shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

LOCATION – CINCINNATI, OHIO:

Bon Secours Mercy Health’s corporate headquarters is located in Cincinnati, OH.

Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are full of unique experiences and hidden-gem wonders waiting for you. From historic architecture and iconic buildings to modern, public art around every corner, Cincy has surprises around every corner. Museums abound, from classics like theTaft Museum of Art, to contemporary offerings likeThe American Sign Museum, andquirky venues likeVent Haven Museum. You can catch a game, see a show, listen to musical greats, andcruise the river under the stars. Over 170 miles of multi-use natural surface trails, 160+ miles paved trails, a historic National Water Trail, and over 20,000 acres of parks and green spaces await your bike, hike, kayak, and play.