Nursing Operations Director

Unity-Hospice; De Pere (WI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) / 403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Unity-Hospice is seeking a Nursing Operations Director to provide strategic and operational leadership across Hospice & Palliative Care. You will guide staffing strategy, workforce engagement, and financial stewardship while partnering with nursing leadership and other departments.

The role demands 7+ years of nursing experience and 5+ years in nursing leadership, with BSN and RN licensure. Monday–Friday schedule; salaried, exempt with on-call rotation. Benefits included.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive nursing experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of nursing leadership experience, preferably in hospice or related settings.
• Demonstrated experience in staffing strategy, workforce management, and operational improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of nursing operations across Hospice & Palliative Care.
• Lead and develop Nurse Team Leaders to achieve operational and engagement goals.
• Establish caseload, productivity, staffing, and scheduling standards.
• Monitor staffing trends and implement strategies to improve workforce stability.
• Represent Unity in partner facilities and manage service recovery when needed.
• Monitor nursing productivity and participate in budget planning and resource requests.
• Set performance expectations and provide coaching and leadership development.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Staffing strategy

Operational improvement

Data-driven decision making

Communication

Education

BSN and RN license

MSN / MHA / MBA preferred

Job description

Description

Nursing Operations Director

As a leader in end-of-life care, Unity is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of motivated, engaged, and mission-driven professionals. Our culture is grounded in Excellence, Collaboration, Integrity, Compassion, and Accountability.

Working at Unity is more than a job; it is a calling. Our team is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, families, and the communities we serve.

The Nursing Operations Director provides strategic and operational leadership for nursing services across Hospice & Palliative Care. This role ensures efficient, high-quality, patient-centered care while overseeing staffing strategy, workforce engagement, operational performance, and financial stewardship.

The Director partners with nursing leadership, Human Resources, and other departments to develop sustainable staffing models, improve productivity, support employee engagement, and advance organizational priorities. This role also serves as a key liaison with facility partners and external stakeholders.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Salaried, exempt position with participation in an administrative on-call rotation.

What You'll Do:

Nursing Operations & Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of nursing operations across Hospice & Palliative Care.
• Lead and develop Nurse Team Leaders and other nursing leaders to achieve operational, quality, and engagement goals.
• Establish caseload, productivity, staffing, and operational expectations.
• Evaluate and implement staffing models and team structures that support quality care and workforce sustainability.
• Maintain visibility and engagement with nursing teams.

Staffing & Workforce Management

• Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, engagement, and workforce planning.
• Develop and maintain master nursing schedules, staffing allocations, and scheduling standards.
• Monitor vacancies, turnover, retention, and staffing trends and implement strategies to improve workforce stability.
• Conduct stay interviews and support employee engagement initiatives.

Facility & Community Partnerships

• Represent Unity and serve as a nursing liaison with partner facilities.
• Address facility concerns and oversee service recovery when needed.
• Support facility onboarding, outreach, relationship development, and market growth initiatives.
• Participate in state survey activity involving Unity patients as appropriate.

Financial & Operational Management

• Monitor nursing productivity, labor utilization, staffing targets, and operational performance.
• Participate in nursing budget development and manage resources within established guidelines.
• Review requests for additional or unbudgeted resources.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost, waste, and variation while maintaining quality patient care.

Performance & Team Development

• Manage direct-report performance, including operational outcomes, engagement, and customer service.
• Oversee onboarding and orientation processes.
• Set performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and leadership development.
• Address performance concerns and support succession planning.
• Foster a culture of recognition, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Manage departmental budgets, approve timecards and PTO, and ensure appropriate staffing coverage.
• Conduct performance evaluations and Empower reviews.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Why Unity?

Unity is dedicated to supporting your well-being, growth, and success with a range of valuable benefits!

Health: We provide comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Accounts, and flexible spending options for medical and dependent care. On-site health risk assessments and flu shots are also available to keep you and your family well.

Life: Unity values work-life balance, offering paid time off, extended illness and injury bank, bereavement leave, an Employee Assistance Program, and fitness membership reimbursement to support your personal needs and interests outside of work.

Security: For your financial peace of mind, Unity offers a 403(b) retirement savings plan, group life insurance, voluntary life insurance, as well as accident, critical illness, and disability insurance options.

Compensation: We reward your skills and commitment with competitive pay, overtime opportunities for hourly roles, and mileage reimbursement.

Career: Grow with Unity through internal and external learning opportunities, education assistance, and leadership development programs designed to support your professional journey.

All new employees are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following their date of hire.

For a full list of benefits: https://unityhospice.org/careers

Choose Unity as the place to grow your career, make a meaningful impact, and be valued every step of the way.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• BSN and current RN license required; MSN, MHA, MBA, or related master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive nursing experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of nursing leadership experience, preferably in hospice, palliative care, home health, or a related healthcare setting.
• Demonstrated experience in staffing strategy, workforce management, and operational improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team-development skills.
• Knowledge of nursing operations, staffing models, productivity, caseload management, and workforce planning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to drive operational improvements.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with employees, leaders, healthcare facilities, and community partners.
• Knowledge of hospice and healthcare regulations and standards.
• Ability to lead through change and effectively implement organizational initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Sound judgment, discretion, confidentiality, and professional integrity.
• Commitment to Unity’s mission, values, policies, and regulatory requirements.