Director of Strategic Operations

American Federation of Teachers; Tukwila (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is seeking a Director of Strategic Operations to advise the Executive Director and coordinate across labor, professional practice, communications, education, legislative, and political work.

You will shape strategy, lead cross‑functional initiatives, and elevate governance and performance while advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within a hybrid, office‑based environment in Washington. Occasional travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, nonprofit management, or related field; or combination of education and experience.
• 5–7+ years of executive leadership, strategy, or project management experience in a union, professional association, advocacy, or related organization.
• Proven success designing and implementing strategic plans and multi-stakeholder projects in a complex org.
• Supervisory experience across professional staff and cross‑functional teams.
• Strong analytical and communication skills with ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Familiarity with union, labor, and legislative environments; healthcare experience preferred.
• Commitment to WSNA’s mission and values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic operational initiatives spanning multiple departments.
• Provide executive oversight for planning processes, stakeholder engagement, and outcomes tracking.
• Structure calendars, agendas, materials, and follow‑ups for Board and Labor Executive Council decisions.
• Design and maintain project management frameworks for high‑priority initiatives.
• Facilitate meetings, remove obstacles, and keep projects aligned with WSNA’s mission.
• Partner with Finance on budget development and monitoring tied to strategy.
• Guide operational improvement projects and ensure policy alignment.
• Supervise leaders and staff, fostering growth in PM, collaboration, and leadership.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Executive leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Supervisory experience

Union/labor environment familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Office software

CRM systems

Project management software

Job description

Shape the strategy that powers Washington’s nurses.

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is the leading voice and advocate for more than 18,000 registered nurses across Washington State. As a union and professional association, we bargain strong contracts, advance professional practice, and fight for policies that protect patients and the nurses who care for them. We are seeking a Director of Strategic Operations, reporting to the Executive Director, to join our executive team and help turn bold vision into measurable impact for nurses and patients statewide.

Why WSNA?

Joining WSNA means joining a mission‑driven, values‑aligned organization that exists to support nurses and the patients and communities they serve. You will operate at the center of strategy and operations, directly influencing how WSNA delivers on its commitments, work with passionate leaders, staff, and members who care deeply about worker voice, patient safety, and equity, and help build and sustain systems for nurses to have a strong, effective voice at the workplace, in Olympia, and beyond.

About the role

The Director of Strategic Operations is a key advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director and a central connector across WSNA’s labor, professional practice, communications, education, legislative, and political work.

In this role, you will:

• Shape and drive organizational strategy – partner with the Executive Director and senior leaders to set strategic and annual priorities, and translate them into clear plans, timelines, and accountabilities across departments.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives – design and manage complex, organization‑wide projects related to strategic priorities, organizational change, member engagement, and major campaigns or events.
• Align governance and operations – help ensure that Board of Directors and Labor Executive Council decisions are translated into actionable goals, performance measures, and project plans, with clear reporting back to governance and membership.
• Elevate organizational performance – develop tools and routines to track progress, surface barriers, and support problem‑solving so WSNA can deliver consistently on its commitments.
• Support a culture of alignment and learning – build mechanisms that connect Board direction, member priorities, and staff work, reduce silos, and strengthen collaboration across teams.
• Steward key operational areas – provide executive‑level leadership and coordination for IT, membership and business operations, and related office services to ensure they effectively support staff and member‑facing work.
• Advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) – help integrate JEDI principles into strategic planning, governance work, and cross‑department initiatives, and leverage partnerships that advance WSNA’s mission and values.

What you’ll do

In collaboration with the Executive Director and leadership team, you will:

• Lead or coordinate strategic operational initiatives and change efforts that span multiple departments and stakeholders.
• Provide executive‑level oversight for WSNA’s strategic and annual planning processes, including stakeholder engagement and outcomes tracking.
• Structure governance calendars, agendas, materials, and follow‑up so that Board and Labor Executive Council decisions are informed, strategic, and clearly translated into staff work.
• Design and maintain project management frameworks (charters, timelines, milestones, communication plans) for high‑priority initiatives.
• Facilitate project team meetings, remove obstacles, and keep projects aligned with WSNA’s mission and member needs.
• 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, documentation of processes, and alignment with WSNA policies and legal/contractual requirements.
• Supervise assigned leaders and staff (such as the Director of IT and Business Operations and the Executive Assistant), supporting their growth in project management, strategic thinking, and collaboration.

Who you are

You are a strategic, systems‑minded leader who enjoys making complex organizations work better in service of a clear mission. You bring:

• 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, with the ability to synthesize information and offer clear, actionable recommendations.
• Advanced project management skills: planning, prioritization, risk management, facilitation of cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate in challenging, high‑stakes, and diverse situations.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships.
• Familiarity with union, labor, and legislative environments; experience in health care or nursing‑related organizations is strongly preferred.
• A deep 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 is expected.

Work environment and requirements

• Travel and attendance at WSNA events, meetings, and labor actions required.
• Hybrid, office‑based position with the opportunity to work remotely part time.
• A valid Washington driver’s and access to an operational motor vehicle that is currently insured are required.

Equal Opportunities

WSNA is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. WSNA provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants who need assistance during the hiring process, consistent with applicable law.