Senior Director, Clinical Excellence

National Lutheran Communities & Services; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

National Lutheran Communities & Services is seeking a Senior Director, Clinical Excellence to drive enterprise clinical quality, standards and improvement across communities. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role leads quality measures, regulatory readiness, documentation practices and clinical workflows, turning data into practical improvements across the enterprise.

The ideal candidate holds an RN license with a BSN and 10+ years of senior clinical leadership in regulated

Qualifications

• RN license in good standing and BSN required.
• 10+ years of progressive clinical leadership in regulated healthcare.
• Experience leading across multiple locations or complex units.
• Strong knowledge of quality improvement, QAPI, regulatory readiness, documentation, and resident care operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise clinical standards, quality measures, regulatory readiness, and documentation practices.
• Identify trends and variation; turn findings into sustainable improvements across communities.
• Develop clinical leaders and drive enterprise initiatives affecting resident care and operations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership across clinical, operational, financial, technology, and talent functions.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Executive communication

Data-driven decisions

Cross-location collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nursing

Tools

QAPI

Job description

5275 West View Drive, Frederick Maryland 21703

Make an impact on clinical excellence across an entire organization.

National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) is looking for an experienced clinical leader to help shape how we deliver consistently strong care and outcomes across our communities.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Director, Clinical Excellence will provide enterprise leadership for clinical quality, standards, systems, and improvement. This is a role for someone who enjoys taking ownership, working through complex clinical and operational challenges, setting clear direction, and turning data and insights into practical action.

You’ll establish and strengthen enterprise clinical standards, quality measures, competency expectations, regulatory readiness, documentation practices, and clinical workflows. You’ll identify trends and variation across communities, help turn findings into sustainable improvements, and serve as a trusted clinical resource to community and executive leaders. You’ll also help develop clinical leaders and lead enterprise initiatives that affect resident care and operations.

This role is a strong fit for a clinical leader who is independent, analytical and comfortable making decisions, but who also knows how to build alignment and move work forward through others. You’ll work in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift, details matter, and high standards for quality, compliance and follow-through are essential.

Salary range: $170,000-$185,000 commensurate with experience

What You’ll Bring

• Current, unencumbered RN license and a bachelor’s degree in nursing
• 10+ years of progressive clinical leadership experience in senior living, Life Plan communities, skilled nursing, assisted living, post-acute care, or a similarly regulated healthcare environment
• Experience leading across multiple locations or complex operating units
• Strong knowledge of quality improvement, QAPI, regulatory readiness, clinical risk, documentation, reimbursement, and resident-care operations
• Demonstrated ability to develop clinical leaders, lead change, and turn evidence and performance findings into sustained improvement
• Strong judgment, executive-level communication skills, and comfort working across clinical, operational, financial, technology, and talent functions
• Ability to travel regularly among NLCS communities

Benefits That Support You

We want the people who care for others to feel cared for themselves. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being, including:

• Competitive compensation aligned with your experience and impact
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage to support you and your family
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays so you can rest and recharge
• Access to learning and development opportunities to support your own growth
• Employee assistance resources to help you navigate life’s challenges

If you are an experienced clinical leader who sees opportunities to make systems stronger, values both autonomy and accountability, and wants to influence clinical excellence across multiple communities, we’d like to hear from you.

NLCS Applicant Demographic & EEO Questions

We value diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace. National Lutheran Communities & Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Please note that demographic information is collected solely in aggregate for reporting and compliance purposes. This information is not associated with your individual application and does not influence hiring decisions in any way.