Overview

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines is seeking a dynamic and collaborative healthcare leader to serve as Executive Director, Emergency Services (ED & EMS). This executive leadership role provides strategic, operational, and clinical oversight across key patient care and support service areas spanning Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and Methodist West Hospital.

Guided by the UnityPoint Health mission, vision, and values, the Executive Director is responsible for advancing operational excellence, quality and safety outcomes, employee engagement, patient experience, financial stewardship, and regulatory compliance across assigned service lines.

This leader will partner closely with physicians, nursing leaders, operational teams, and executive stakeholders to drive care coordination, strengthen organizational performance, and support innovation across a complex, multi-campus environment. The ideal candidate brings strong healthcare leadership experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a passion for developing high-performing teams and advancing exceptional patient care.

Responsibilities

As Executive Director, you will provide leadership and direction for designated service lines, partnering closely with physicians, operational leaders, and executive stakeholders to drive performance, quality, and strategic growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• • Provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership for Emergency Services, Nursing Operations, and assigned clinical/support departments
  • Lead departmental budgeting, resource allocation, operational planning, and performance management
  • Partner with physicians, clinical leaders, and service line stakeholders to advance organizational goals and strengthen care delivery
  • Develop and support high-performing leaders through coaching, mentorship, and succession planning
  • Align and standardize care delivery across multiple campuses while recognizing the unique needs of each patient population
  • Drive operational improvement initiatives using evidence, performance metrics, and outcomes data
  • Collaborate across service lines to enhance patient flow, care coordination, and organizational performance
  • Ensure compliance with specialty program standards and accreditation requirements, including Trauma, Stroke, Residency, and other regulatory distinctions
  • Foster a culture of safety, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
  • Support emergency preparedness and organizational response efforts as part of the hospital incident command structure

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