Strategic Operations Director — Shape Nursing Impact (Hybrid)

Washington State Nurses Association; Tukwila (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is seeking a Director of Strategic Operations to join the executive team and translate bold vision into measurable impact for nurses and patients statewide.

In this role you will shape organizational strategy, lead cross‑functional initiatives, align governance with actionable goals, and drive performance through clear plans, reporting, and problem‑solving, with a focus on equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Office productivity tools

Project management software

CRM systems

Job description

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is seeking a Director of Strategic Operations to join the executive team and translate bold vision into measurable impact for nurses and patients statewide.

In this role you will shape organizational strategy, lead cross‑functional initiatives, align governance with actionable goals, and drive performance through clear plans, reporting, and problem‑solving, with a focus on equity and inclusion.