Job Overview:

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Nursing Administration provides executive leadership and operational oversight for nursing services and designated patient care areas. Reporting to the Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), this role is responsible for driving strategic planning, clinical excellence, and operational performance across the organization.

The AVP ensures the delivery of high-quality, patient- and family-centered care while aligning nursing operations with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. This leader collaborates with physician partners, nursing leadership, and interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement programs that enhance patient outcomes, staff engagement, and financial performance.

The AVP is accountable for nursing performance across quality, patient satisfaction, workforce engagement, and fiscal stewardship. This role also serves as a key representative of the CNO and may act on their behalf as needed, ensuring continuity of leadership and operational excellence across nursing services 24/7.

Reports to: The Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Nursing Administration reports to the Vice President, Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer, Children’s Specialized Hospital.

Essential Functions:

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide executive oversight for nursing operations and patient care services, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
• Collaborate with the CNO and senior leadership to develop and execute strategic plans for nursing excellence
• Serve as a key advisor to physicians, administrators, and department leaders on nursing strategy and patient care delivery
• Act on behalf of the CNO as needed to ensure continuity of leadership

Clinical Operations & Patient Care

• Direct the delivery of nursing care, treatment, and services across the organization
• Establish and implement standards of nursing practice, staffing models, and care delivery frameworks
• Ensure integration and coordination of inpatient and outpatient nursing services
• Develop innovative care delivery models to enhance patient outcomes

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead nursing quality initiatives and establish performance improvement goals using benchmark data
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards, including The Joint Commission and state regulations
• Promote and implement National Patient Safety Goals and high-reliability principles
• Drive continuous improvement in patient outcomes, safety, and clinical excellence

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor operating and capital budgets for areas of responsibility
• Analyze financial performance and ensure cost-effective delivery of care
• Educate leaders and staff on financial impacts of clinical decisions
• Support program growth and resource allocation aligned with organizational priorities

People Leadership & Engagement

• Provide oversight and mentorship to nursing directors and unit-based leadership
• Drive employee engagement, retention, and workforce development strategies
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth
• Ensure staff performance meets organizational standards for quality, productivity, and service

Patient Experience

• Champion initiatives to enhance patient and family experience across care settings
• Monitor service metrics and implement improvement plans to meet performance targets
• Promote a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care

Professional Development & Culture

• Support leadership development, succession planning, and career growth for nursing staff
• Encourage participation in professional organizations and continuous education
• Role model organizational values, ethical standards, and commitment to excellence
• Promote evidence-based practice and integration of research into patient care

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits and Perks:

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market-competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team.  We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time.  As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health. 

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required; Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field required
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive nursing leadership experience, including senior-level management
• Strong background in pediatric nursing and patient-centered care principles preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in healthcare operations, finance, workforce management, and regulatory compliance
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards, including The Joint Commission, Department of Health requirements, and Nurse Practice Act regulations
• Experience with quality benchmarking tools such as National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams in a complex healthcare environment
• Strong communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills