SVP Chief Nursing Officer

UNC Health; Rocky Mount (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Health in Rocky Mount is seeking a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to join its executive leadership team. The CNO will advance nursing excellence and oversee nursing operations across all care sites. The position requires a strong leader with significant experience in nursing leadership and a commitment to community engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a solid track record of improving patient care quality and physician collaboration, contributing to the organization's success as a regional healthcare hub. A Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nursing is required along with RN licensure in North Carolina.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressive nursing leadership experience.
• Licensed RN in North Carolina or eligible for licensure.
• Experience with organizational culture change.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership.
• Strengthen collaboration among nursing and medical staff.
• Support strategic expansion efforts and optimize operations.

Skills

Leadership in Nursing

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Quality Improvement

Community Engagement

Education

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (one in Nursing)

Job description

UNC Health Nash (UNC Nash) is a county-owned, non-profit managed affiliate of UNC Health Care, a leading national healthcare system serving eastern North Carolina through four hospitals: Nash General Hospital (260 licensed beds), Nash Day Hospital, Coastal Plain Hospital (Behavioral Health), and Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center. UNC Nash’s partnership with UNC Health provides access to clinical expertise, innovation, resources, and research that enhances care for the communities it serves.

UNC Nash is a growing and high-performing affiliate of UNC Health, seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to join its executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the CNO will play a pivotal role in advancing nursing excellence, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting the organization’s continued growth as a regional healthcare hub. The CNO will assume responsibility for nursing operations and nursing practice across all care sites at UNC Health Nash.

Since 2018, UNC Nash has undergone a significant transformation, achieving measurable improvements in quality, market share, and patient experience, alongside a cultural shift toward collaboration and accountability. The organization is now poised for continued expansion, including a major patient tower scheduled to open in 2027, and seeks a confident, collaborative nursing leader who can balance strategy with operations and elevate nursing practice to the next level.

Opportunity Highlights

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for a high-performing organization recognized for excellence in quality, patient satisfaction, and safety.
• Strengthen collaboration among nursing, physicians, and medical staff to support a team-based model of care.
• Expand and enhance partnerships with community colleges and universities to support workforce development.
• Standardize and hardwire processes to ensure consistent performance across key quality indicators.
• Support strategic expansion efforts and partner closely with the executive team to identify trends, optimize operations, and sustain inpatient growth.
• Contribute to the pursuit of initial Magnet designation and the advancement of professional nursing practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees required, one of which must be in Nursing.
• Licensed to practice as an RN in North Carolina, or eligible for licensure.
• Ten years of progressive nursing leadership experience; prior Chief Nursing Officer experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational culture change, with a focus on accountability and collaboration.
• Magnet experience required.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage, influence, and constructively challenge peers within a high-performing leadership team.
• Proven track record of improving nurse retention, engagement, and leadership development.
• Commitment to community engagement, with willingness to reside in the Rocky Mount area.

EEO Statement

Kirby Bates Associates is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our associates.