Director-Ethics

Mercy; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Tuition support

Matched retirement plans

Job summary

Mercy is seeking a Director of Ethics to provide strategic leadership in the cultivation of an ethical culture. This role involves working closely with caregivers, physicians, and community partners to ensure Mercy's Catholic identity informs ethical decision-making. Key qualifications include a Master's degree in a relevant field, significant experience in clinical ethics consultation, and skills in culture change leadership. Competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with tuition support and a matched retirement plan.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Bioethics or related field is required.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical ethics consultation.
• Ability to lead culture change and influence organizational dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for ethics across Mercy.
• Cultivate a robust ethical culture and facilitate community trust.
• Partner with diverse community stakeholders to address ethical challenges.

Skills

Catholic healthcare ethics

Relationship-building

Culture change leadership

Systems thinking

Coaching and mentoring

Technological fluency

Education

Master's degree in Bioethics, Moral Philosophy, or related discipline

Doctoral preparation (Ph.D., D.Be.)

Job description

Overview

The Director - Ethics provides strategic leadership for the development, sustainability, and integration of a robust culture of ethics across Mercy. This role is fundamentally oriented toward shaping organizational culture, strengthening ethical capacity at all levels, and ensuring that Mercy's Catholic identity, mission, values, and charism are deeply embedded in daily decision-making.

The director serves the whole community (hospital and clinics) and partners closely with caregivers, physicians, leaders, and community partners to move ethics upstream-anticipating ethical challenges, equipping others with skills for ethical discernment, and fostering shared ownership of an ethical culture. Guided by Mercy's vision for ethics, the director leads initiatives that cultivate trust, dialogue, accountability, and moral courage throughout the ministry. This vision informs the leadership posture, priorities, and competencies required for this role:

A Mercy where a robust culture exists in which our caregivers, physicians, leaders, and community partners recognize and discuss the ethical implications of their daily work. When situations arise, they have the skills and tools needed to respond in a manner consistent with our Catholic/Christian/Mercy values and patient-centered care. Our caregivers, physicians, and patients experience community, connection, and meaning through participation in our healing ministry.

This leader serves as a visible and trusted collaborator with senior leadership, local leaders and peer ethics leaders, helping Mercy live its healing mission in complex clinical, organizational, and social contexts.

Position Details

Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Bioethics, Moral Philosophy, Moral Theology, or related discipline required.
• Doctoral preparation (Ph.D., D.Be., or equivalent) in moral theology, moral philosophy, or healthcare ethics preferred.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in clinical ethics consultation within a healthcare setting.
• Evidence of strategic leadership, organizational influence, or culture-change work strongly preferred.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and interdisciplinary teams.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep expertise in Catholic healthcare ethics, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, and Catholic moral and social teaching.
• Ability to lead culture change, not simply resolve individual ethical issues.
• Strong systems thinking and capacity to translate ethical principles into operational realities.
• Exceptional relationship-building, facilitation, and influence skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and empower others in ethical discernment.
• Comfort navigating complexity, ambiguity, and conflict with prudence and compassion.
• Technological fluency to support ethics education, consultation, and collaboration.

Preferred Certification: Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HCE-C)

Why Mercy?

From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.

Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.