Chief Nursing Executive

Reimagine Nursing Leadership. Advance Community Health. 

The County of Santa Clara is not just any government agency-it’s a premiere public agency known for excellence, strategic leadership, and innovation. Serving more than 1.9 million residents, Santa Clara County is the largest of the nine Bay Area counties and larger than 12 states. With a workforce of more than 23,000 employees across 30+ departments, the County delivers essential services in healthcare, public safety, social services, housing, and more. Our teams are driven by a commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in our community-especially those who need us most. 

Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) is the cornerstone of public healthcare in Santa Clara County, delivering compassionate, high quality, and accessible care to all residents regardless of ability to pay. As the largest public healthcare system in Northern California, SCVH provides world class services through Valley Medical Center, Regional Medical Center, O’Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital, and an extensive network of outpatient clinics. Every day, our teams advance health equity, safeguard community wellbeing, and serve as a critical safety net provider for the region. 

We are seeking a Chief Nursing Executive to lead nursing and patient care services throughout the SCVH enterprise with purpose, innovation, and impact. This is your opportunity to shape the future of nursing and patient care in one of the most complex, mission driven healthcare systems in the region. 

Your Mission 

Lead, elevate, and transform nursing and patient care services across a comprehensive healthcare delivery system that includes acute care, specialty care, ambulatory services, behavioral health, trauma and burn services, rehabilitation, and more. As the Chief Nursing Executive (CNE), you will direct standards of care, drive excellence in autonomous nursing practice, and guide a workforce dedicated to advancing patient and family centered care. 

What Makes This Role Unique 

• Systemwide Leadership: You will oversee nursing, care management, and medical social services across SCVH’s full continuum of care, ensuring seamless integration, quality, and equity.
• Strategic Scale: From emergency and critical care to maternal-child health, psychiatric services, perioperative care, and rehabilitation, you will guide clinical operations that touch thousands of patients each day.
• Mission Driven Impact: As a senior executive, you will help shape organizational strategy, participate in key governance bodies, and influence care delivery across the region.
• Commitment to Excellence: SCVH is advancing systemwide performance through quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and standards aligned with American Nurses Association Magnet principles.
• Workforce Empowerment: You will set the vision for recruitment, retention, education, and professional growth for a diverse and expansive nursing workforce.

View the full job specification on our career site.

What You’ll Do 

Strategic Nursing Leadership 

• Direct the daily operations of acute care nursing to ensure safe, high quality, patient centered care.
• Lead nursing standards, practices, and policies across SCVH, ensuring alignment with mission, goals, and accreditation standards.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range plans for nursing and patient care services.

 Care Management, Social Services, and Quality 

• Oversee care management/utilization review and social services, ensuring operational efficiency and cost-effective care transitions.

• Partner with inter disciplinary teams to strengthen continuous quality improvement, risk management, and patient safety.

Operational and Fiscal Stewardship 

• Establish staffing plans, resource needs, and budgets that support clinical excellence and compliance with regulations.
• Lead system wide improvements to enhance patient family experience, staff engagement, and operational efficiency.

Collaboration and Representation 

• Serve as the voice of nursing in key executive committees and governance bodies.
• Build strong relationships with community partners, teaching affiliates, nursing schools, and health system leaders.

What You Bring 

• Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Master’s degree in nursing or a related healthcare/business field.
• Approximately 5–10 years of increasingly responsible nursing administration experience, including senior leadership roles–ideally in a teaching hospital.
• Expertise in nursing operations, quality, care management, performance improvement, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.
• Ability to lead a large, complex patient care organization with strategic clarity, operational rigor, and strong relationships.
• Commitment to nursing excellence, staff development, and equitable, patient centered care.

What Success Looks Like 

In the first 6–12 months, you will:

• Strengthen alignment of nursing practice across the continuum of care.
• Improve collaboration with clinical, operational, and financial leaders.
• Advance systemwide strategies for workforce engagement, quality, and care delivery.

In the long term, you will: 

• Elevate standards of nursing excellence and accountability.
• Enhance care transitions, quality metrics, and operational efficiency.
• Position SCVH as a leading public health system known for innovation, compassionate care, and clinical excellence.

Why Join Us?  

• Lead nursing in one of California’s most impactful public healthcare systems.
• Influence the future of patient care in a diverse, dynamic community.
• Be part of a mission driven organization committed to equity, access, and exceptional care for all.
• Thrive in a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking executive culture.

More About Our Competitive Executive Benefits 

Strategic Financial and Retirement Benefits 

• CalPERS pension with reciprocity across most California public agencies (2.5% @55 for Classic Members,2% @62 for Non-Classic Members)
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan with both pre-tax and Roth options, up to IRS limits
• $325,000 in term life insurance plus $300,000 in accidental death and disability coverage
• Eligible employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Executive-Level Health, Wellness, and Family Support 

• Premium health insurance options (Kaiser, HealthNet, Valley Health Plan) with up to 96% County-paid coverage
• Fully covered dental (Delta or Liberty) and vision (VSP) plans for individuals and families
• Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care Assistance, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Access to wellness and leadership development programs designed to support executive performance and resilience

Leadership Mobility, Time Off, and Professional Growth

• 39 days of annual leave with a cash-out option, plus 13 paid holidays
• Relocation assistance to support seamless transitions
• Tuition reimbursement and internal executive development programs
• To learn more about benefits, check out our dedicated page.

Ready to join the leadership team? Apply now.

Learn more about the County and the impact you can have as a leader.

Application Process and Key Dates

Filing Deadline: Continuous – Open until filled. First review deadline: Monday, August 24, 2026. This recruitment may close or be extended as early as 10 days after posting. Early application is strongly encouraged. Please check the website regularly for updates.

Apply at:https://esa.santaclaracounty.gov/career-seekers

What to include in your application: 

1. Résumé
2. Cover Letter (maximum 3 pages)
   Describe why you are the ideal candidate, highlighting relevant leadership experience and accomplishments.

Next steps in the process: 

Following mutual interest, a comprehensive background investigation and reference check will be conducted. Finalists will be asked to provide at least five professional references, with prior authorization obtained by Executive Services. 

Questions regarding this Executive recruitment may be directed to Quynh Truong, Executive Services at quynh.truong@esa.sccgov.org  
 
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