Overview

Director - Women's and Newborn Care

On-Site Only

We are seeking an experienced healthcare leader to oversee the administrative and operational functions of Women's & Newborn Services across UnityPoint Health. The Director of Women's Services and Newborn Care leads the provision of care to obstetric and newborn patient populations at Blank Children's Hospital, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and Methodist West Hospital. Guided by the UnityPoint Health Vision, Mission, and Roadmap, this leader is accountable for effective operations across these areas, including care delivery, quality and safety outcomes, employee engagement, patient experience, regulatory compliance, and fiscal management. This role provides strategic, financial, and operational leadership for Labor & Delivery (including maternity surgical services), Mom/Baby and Normal Newborn Nursery, Lactation, Level II and Level III NICU, neonatal transport, OB Emergency Department, outreach, education, and related data registry work. The Director uses research and outcomes data to design, develop, and implement processes and programs that improve patient care and support departmental and organizational growth, and works collaboratively with other service lines, rural providers, and community leaders to maximize care coordination across internal departments and community/rural settings. The Director creates and sustains a culture of trust that fosters teamwork and the continual pursuit of excellence.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the administrative functions of Women's & Newborn Services across two campuses, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and service line goals.
• Develop and manage budgets; ensure responsible and effective use of financial resources.
• Drive strategic planning and cultivate partnerships and relationships that advance organizational priorities.
• Oversee clinical service line operations, including standards of care, clinical pathways, staffing plans, evaluation of patient care/services, and process improvement.
• Serve as the administrative leader and liaison for physicians and physician activities; represent the service line to Medical Staff departments, sections, and committees.
• Acquire and allocate human, material, and financial resources to meet service line needs.
• Collaborate with leaders across service lines to optimize patient flow and coordinate care between departments.
• Partner with other leaders to ensure compliance with specialty designation requirements that differentiate the organization (e.g., Trauma Center, Primary Stroke, Nurse Residency accreditation, etc.).
• Use evidence, quality metrics, and outcomes data to guide operational change and improve systems, processes, and procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of reimbursement systems and payer sources when evaluating visit efficiency and operational performance.
• Identify growth opportunities and lead the design, development, and implementation of new and expanded programs.
• Champion patient- and family-centered care and set expectations for quality, service, and cost stewardship.

Leadership Expectations

• Integrate UnityPoint Health - Des Moines FOCUS values and Nursing Expectations of Performance into all aspects of care delivery and professional practice.
• Lead department leaders by setting goals and objectives, monitoring progress and performance, and providing timely coaching and feedback.
• Align care delivery standards across campuses while honoring differences in the patient populations served.
• Promote a culture of safety by prioritizing patient and workplace safety; support and sustain a Just Culture and encourage reporting of unsafe practices.
• Demonstrate innovation in care delivery and care coordination.
• Participate in and lead initiatives that address nursing and healthcare issues/trends to elevate professional nursing practice and nurse engagement.
• Support the UnityPoint Health Des Moines Professional Nurse Practice Model and shared governance.
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence in day-to-day leadership and decision-making.
• Effectively lead teams through conflict management, change management, negotiation, and mediation.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully; listen actively and validate feedback.

Additional Administrative Duties

• Contribute to organizational performance by participating on committees and task forces that advance nursing performance and/or broader organizational goals.
• Model professional development through continuing education, participation in professional organizations, certification, and related activities.
• Use feedback to improve personal performance and effectiveness in the role.

Qualifications

Education:

• MSN or other related master's degree.

License(s)/Certification(s):

• Current Iowa license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Valid driver's license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of progressively more responsible leadership positions at or above the manager level in pediatrics and/or obstetrics, with proven results in improved outcomes.