Job Description

Work Schedule:
This position is scheduled to work regular business hours, Monday through Friday and based in Madison, WI. Hours may vary based on operational need with some local remote work flexibility.

Be part of something remarkable.

Drive clinical excellence. Transform a program. Advance a vision. Change lives.

At UW Health Kids, we're building the future of congenital heart care—and we're looking for an exceptional nurse leader to shape what’s next.

The RN Program Director is more than an operations role. You will help take a growing congenital heart program to the next level by driving quality, innovation, patient experience, and care transformation across a highly complex and collaborative healthcare environment. You'll partner with physician leaders and operational teams, to advance a strategic vision that reaches across Wisconsin and beyond.

Why This Opportunity?

Imagine stepping into a role where you can:

• Drive the transformation of one of UW Health's strategic programs of focus
• Build the infrastructure needed to become a nationally recognized leader in pediatric and congenital heart care
• Lead quality, safety, innovation, and programmatic growth initiatives that directly impact patient outcomes
• Partner with renowned physician leaders across pediatric cardiac critical care, cardiothoracic surgery, catheterization services, congenital cardiology, and anesthesia
• Help create a seamless patient journey from fetal life through adulthood within an evolving regional care network
• Be part of Forward Pediatric Alliance, a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health Kids established to improve outcomes and expand access to world-class congenital heart care

What You'll Do
As a key member of the Congenital Heart leadership team, you will:

• Lead day-to-day program operations across the hospital division including inpatient, surgical, and procedural services
• Optimize patient flow, access, and care coordination
• Advance quality, safety, and process improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with key stakeholders across UW Health, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, Unitypoint Health - Meriter, and Children's Wisconsin
• Support clinical excellence, care model transformation, operational efficiency, and program expansion

Ideal Candidate
We're looking for a leader who thrives in complexity and sees opportunity in transformation to bring:

• Strong healthcare operations or program leadership experience
• Exceptional relationship-building and collaboration skills
• A passion for quality improvement and clinical excellence
• Experience driving change in matrixed organizations
• The ability to influence without direct authority
• Strategic thinking balanced with a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach
• A commitment to patient- and family-centered care

At UW Health, you will have:

• An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
• Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance
• Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being
• Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Required
• Master's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare, Administration or related field Required
• Doctorate Degree in Nursing or related field Preferred

Work Experience

• 2 years relevant experience in healthcare operations supervisory/management or program leadership or three years of progressive relevant leadership experience Required
• 5 years progressive, relevant supervisory/management or program leadership experience Preferred
• 3 years clinical experience caring for cardiac populations Preferred

License and Certifications

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of WI or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact Required
• Basic Life Support/CPR Required
• Advanced Cardiovasular Life Support Preferred
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (ACLS) Preferred
• Relevant Clinical Certification Preferred

Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging

UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

UW Hospital and Clinics Benefits