Senior Director, RN Professional Practice & Nursing Research

Banner Health Corporate; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Health Corporate seeks a senior leader to design, coordinate, and monitor standardized professional practices across the system, focusing on quality outcomes and patient care. The role guides evidence-based strategies to strengthen the clinical workforce and practice, including Magnet designation efforts.

The position serves as the primary advisor to senior management on professional practice and oversees governance structures, budgets, and cross‑functional collaboration with clinical and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible managerial experience.
• Healthcare system or large multi-operational environment experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, coordinate and monitor standardized professional practices system-wide.
• Advise senior management on professional practice matters and Magnet initiatives.
• Develop partnerships and coordinate programs with internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee budgeting, policies and internal controls to ensure compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Nursing governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Primary City/State: Phoenix, Arizona Department Name: Dept of Prof Practice-Corp Work Shift: Day Job Category: Nursing This role offers a unique opportunity to influence professional practice across an entire health system. Responsible for system‑level design, alignment, and oversight of professional practice standards, this leader ensures consistent, high‑quality clinical outcomes and exceptional service delivery. Using evidence‑based insights, you will guide strategies that enhance workforce development, elevate clinical practice, and strengthen our clinical product. Your pay and benefits are important components of your journey at Banner Health. This opportunity includes the option to participate in a variety of health, financial, and security benefits. In addition, this position may be eligible for our Management Incentive Program as part of your Total Rewards package. Within Banner Health Corporate, you will have the opportunity to apply your unique experience and expertise in support of a nationally‑recognized healthcare leader. We offer stimulating and rewarding careers in a wide array of disciplines. Whether your background is in Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Managed Care Programs or Public Relations, you'll find many options for contributing to our award‑winning patient care.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is accountable for driving and supporting the design, coordination and monitoring of standardized professional practices throughout the system, with focus on quality of outcomes and superior service. Utilizes research and evidence to create and implement strategies that strengthen the clinical professional workforce, clinical practices and resulting clinical product to advance professionalism and patient care. Facilitates activities in support of Magnet recognition across the system. This position serves as the primary advisor to the organization’s senior management on matters related to professional practice.

CORE FUNCTIONS

1. Guides the development and implementation of short and long‑range goals and objectives for the company’s designated programs. Provides leadership and expertise in the development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of programs for the organization. Incorporates best practices and responds to emerging trends to enhance operations, programs, and/or services. Implements and evaluates strategic programs, develops effective tools to measure performance, analyzes related data, prepares reports, and makes recommendations to senior leadership based on findings. Responsible for Shared Professional Nursing Governance structures at the unit, department, facility, market, and system level, including directors of professional practice, clinical/medical library resources team, and nursing‑specific clinical data analytics team (NDNQI and relevant inputs for Leapfrog).
2. Directs, supervises, and evaluates the work of staff and managers. Holds staff accountable for achieving plans and performance targets. Works with staff to identify and resolve the most complex issues and problems impacting the functional area. Supports development and continued professional growth to meet company and individual goals for long‑term success. Demonstrates an expectation for continuous quality improvement utilizing processes that include consideration of all stakeholders.
3. This position has direct oversight accountability for all aspects of professional practice across the system. Responsible for serving as a role model to staff across the system and representing Banner in a positive manner both within and outside the organization. Customers of this position are both internal and external, including leadership, staff, medical staff, regulatory agencies, and/or the community. This position requires the skill to negotiate and influence.
4. Builds and supports effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and organizations. Develops partnerships, coordinates activities, reviews work, exchanges information, and resolves problems related to the programs. This includes leading and driving integration and innovation efforts across the organization. May serve as a staff resource to the organization’s Governing Board and/or applicable committees.
5. Directs and participates in the development, implementation, and consistent application of effective organizational policies, procedures, and practices. Develops and supports internal controls to ensure that assets are safeguarded, policies and operating procedures are followed, necessary controls are effective and efficient, and compliance with current laws and regulations is achieved. When planning CNE events, follows all the requirements of ANA and ANCC.
6. Develops and oversees the department budget to meet corporate goals and objectives. Meets annual budgetary goals. Translates organizational plans, goals, and initiatives into assumptions for annual operating and/or capital budgets. Negotiates contracts with external vendors for products and/or services and monitors/evaluates quality and performance. Manages and reports expenditures.
7. Communicates the department vision, translating it into actionable projects and activities. Maximizes management staff’s contributions and assures timely decision‑making reflecting the mission, vision, and values of the system. Participates as a subject‑matter expert and may lead or facilitate task forces, teams, and/or councils to plan, implement, and coordinate programs, services, and/or activities for the organization.
8. Reviews, prepares, analyzes, and presents reports and recommendations to senior leadership regarding operations, programs, services, and/or other applicable areas of interest to provide concise and accurate information that aids in decision‑making. Responsible for increasing the number of Banner hospitals and clinics that meet or exceed ANCC Magnet/Pathways Nursing Excellence designations with a goal of system attainment. Accountable for system‑wide efforts to develop, implement, and enhance conceptual models that drive professional nursing practice in partnership with the system Chief Nurse Executive, Associate Vice President, Nursing Excellence, system Chief Nursing Officers, and system Executive Directors with nursing practice purview. Collaborates with senior leadership to integrate and advance nursing clinical performance and evidence‑based practice associated with professional nursing organizations and standards of practice consistent with state and nationally recognized certifying and regulating bodies, including but not limited to CMS, TJC, NDNQI, ANCC Magnet & Pathways, and State Boards of Nursing.
9. Utilizes theory, clinical expertise, evidence‑based standards of practice to design, plan, implement, and evaluate clinical excellence affecting bedside care delivery and nursing practice. Facilitates to improve practice efficiency and patient outcomes with the system through broad expertise in the delivery of nursing professional practice, including models for care delivery and models of professional practice. Responsible for the development of nursing inquiry, nursing quality improvement practices, evidence‑based practice activity, and nursing research activities across Banner to promote knowledge gain, translation into practice, and peer review initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field or equivalent level of education and experience. Expert‑level working knowledge of principles, practices, and operations in assigned or related area of responsibility as normally obtained through a minimum of five years of progressively responsible managerial experience, including a minimum of two years management level experience within a healthcare system setting or large multi‑operational, complex corporate environment. Depending upon assigned area of responsibility, position may require applicable certifications and/or licensures, including but not limited to: RN; MD or DO; Driver’s License; Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA); Certified Protection Professional (CPP); Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU); Associate in Risk Management (ARM); CPA; SPHR; Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA); Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT); Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM); Certified Facility Manager (CFM); Certified Coding Specialist (CCS); Certified Professional Coder (CPC); JD from an American Bar Association accredited school; admission to a State Bar Association. Must demonstrate expert‑level knowledge and awareness of area of expertise in designated facility, business entity or area and/or experience in which the knowledge, skills, and abilities are directly transferrable. Proven track record of driving successful performance outcomes and accomplishing organizational goals. Must demonstrate skills and business acumen through direct leadership experiences such as: Anticipating and responding to the needs of internal and external customers; managing a budget and financial plans; building partnerships with management, staff, and stakeholders to achieve department goals and objectives; managing problems and situations where uncertainty is inherent; persuading others to adopt a particular stance on an issue; developing and evaluating best practices and emerging trends for organizational applicability and appropriateness; constructing new and innovative solutions for complex and varying problems and situations while considering the larger perspective or context; mentoring and coaching staff by providing open and honest feedback to enhance performance; developing and implementing strategic goals and initiatives that support organizational success; demonstrating excellent human relations, organizational and communication skills; demonstrating a passion about continuously improving and providing high quality care and service excellence to customers, patients, families, employees and/or physicians.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement

Banner Health supports a drug‑free work environment.

Our organization supports a drug‑free work environment.