Executive Director-Med/Surg Nursing

Overview

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is seeking a collaborative and strategic healthcare leader to serve as Executive Director, Medical Surgical Services. This executive leadership role provides oversight for Medical Surgical operations across multiple campuses, with responsibility spanning Iowa Methodist Medical Center and additional assigned locations within the UPH–Des Moines system.

Guided by UnityPoint Health’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities, the Executive Director is responsible for advancing clinical excellence, operational performance, quality and safety outcomes, employee engagement, patient experience, regulatory compliance, and fiscal stewardship across the Medical Surgical service line.

This leader will partner closely with physicians, nursing leaders, operational stakeholders, and executive leadership to strengthen care delivery, optimize patient flow, standardize best practices, and support a high-performing, multi-campus care environment. The ideal candidate brings strong healthcare operations leadership experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a passion for developing leaders and advancing exceptional patient care.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership for the Medical Surgical service line across assigned campuses within UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
• Lead service line operations related to care delivery, quality outcomes, patient experience, workforce engagement, regulatory readiness, and financial performance
• Develop and manage budgets, resource allocation, operational planning, and service line growth initiatives
• Partner with physicians, physician leaders, and interdisciplinary stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and advance organizational priorities
• Lead, coach, and develop nursing and operational leaders, including performance management, succession planning, and leadership development
• Align and standardize care delivery practices across multiple campuses while recognizing the unique needs of individual patient populations and care settings
• Collaborate with leaders across service lines to improve patient flow, care coordination, throughput, and operational effectiveness
• Utilize evidence, operational metrics, and outcomes data to drive process improvement, innovation, and organizational growth
• Support specialty designations, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements relevant to the Medical Surgical service line
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement across departments and campuses
• Demonstrate strong understanding of healthcare operations, reimbursement environments, and care delivery models to support efficient, high-quality patient care
• Participate in emergency preparedness, disaster response, and incident command activities as needed
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Qualifications

• Master’s degree required (MSN, MHA, MBA, or other healthcare, nursing, or business-related graduate degree)
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience within a hospital, outpatient, or clinical environment, including responsibility for operational, financial, and people leadership
• Demonstrated success improving operational, clinical, quality, and/or patient experience outcomes
• Proven ability to lead leaders, develop high-performing teams, manage change, and build strong cross-functional partnerships
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and executive leadership skills required
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Iowa required (or ability to obtain prior to start date, if applicable)
• Professional certification applicable to nursing or healthcare leadership preferred
• Valid driver’s license required if operating a vehicle for work-related responsibilities

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