Senior Director, Nursing Quality & Magnet Program

The Senior Director of Nursing Quality and Magnet Program Director (MPD) is an Institute-wide functional leader accountable for the strategic vision, system-wide integration, and sustained performance of nursing quality and the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program across Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). This role co-develops and leads the multi-year roadmap in partnership with the Nurse Executive Committee (NEC) for professional nursing practice excellence, aligning with DFCI’s Mission, Vision, Core Values, and the Institute’s Quality and Safety strategy. The Senior Director drives evidence-based practice, professional governance, workforce development, and exemplary professional practice to deliver top-quartile nurse-sensitive outcomes and an unmatched patient and family experience in oncology.

Partnering closely with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Nursing Executive Council (NEC), Institute Quality and Safety leadership, and interprofessional executives, the Senior Director ensures the integration of Magnet standards, the DFCI Professional Practice Model, and oncology specialty standards across all sites and care settings. This leader advances nursing research and innovation, builds robust analytics and reporting capabilities, and represents DFCI nationally to enhance reputation and influence. The Senior Director serves as the primary liaison to the ANCC Magnet Program, accountable for initial designations, re-designations, and ongoing readiness, and for embedding an organizational culture of high reliability, safety, equity, and continuous improvement.

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Set the vision and multi-year strategy for nursing quality, Magnet performance, and professional practice excellence; align goals with the Institute’s strategic plan and the nursing strategic plan.
• Lead system-wide professional governance, optimizing structures, chartering councils, and ensuring strong bidirectional communication and decision-making across nursing and interprofessional teams.
• Partner with the CNO, NEC, and Institute Quality and Safety leadership to develop and execute the annual Nursing Quality and Magnet Advancement Plan, including risk mitigation and readiness strategies.
• Identifies operational risks and key performance indicators; maintains dashboards and drives accountability across functions
• Provides direction and is accountable across multiple functions with broad organizational impact

Magnet Program Leadership

• Serve as the organization’s senior executive for the ANCC Magnet Program; oversee gap analyses, documentation, sources of evidence, empirical outcomes, site visit preparation, and post-visit sustainment.
• Ensure integration of Magnet domains (Transformational Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional Practice; New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements) into policies, education, and daily practice.
• Act as the primary liaison to ANCC, leading communications, submissions, and compliance, and representing DFCI at national forums.

Quality, Safety, and Outcomes

• Lead the enterprise Nursing Quality Plan in alignment with Institute priorities; establish targets, dashboards, and accountability mechanisms for nurse-sensitive indicators and oncology-specific outcomes.
• Embed high reliability principles, Just Culture, and evidence-based safety practices (e.g., CLABSI, falls, pressure injuries, chemotherapy safety) to reduce harm and variation.
• Oversee design, deployment, and continuous improvement of real-time analytics, dashboards, and data governance in collaboration with Institute Quality and Safety, Informatics, and Finance.

Evidence-Based Practice, Research, and Innovation

• Build and sustain an infrastructure for nursing EBP, research, and innovation; mentor scholars; support IRB processes; and disseminate outcomes through publications and national presentations.
• Sponsor pilots and system-scale improvements, leveraging human-centered design and Lean methods; evaluate ROI and clinical impact.

Operations, Finance, and Risk

• Assists in budgeting and resource planning for nursing quality and Magnet programs; manage vendors, contracts, and consultative services; ensure efficient use of resources and sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements (e.g., DPH, CMS, TJC, ANCC) and oncology specialty standards (e.g., ONS, ASCO); proactively identify and mitigate risks.

Relationship Management and External Representation

• Build strong partnerships with Institute leaders, affiliate sites, and academic collaborators; engage multidisciplinary teams to co-design solutions and advance performance.
• Represent DFCI at national organizations and conferences to enhance reputation and benchmark best practices; prepare executive and board-level reports on nursing quality and Magnet performance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises staff. Hires, develops, and manages staff to achieve organizational goals. Sets clear expectations, delivers feedback, and monitors performance for quality, efficiency, and compliance with policies and procedures. Mentors staff, fosters career growth, and cultivates a positive and productive work environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides direct and indirect supervision to nursing quality and Magnet program staff.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing or a health-related field required; DNP or PhD strongly preferred.
• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and/or New Hampshire, as applicable.
• 10+ years of progressive nursing leadership experience, including substantial administrative responsibility; oncology experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading ANCC Magnet initial designation and re-designation efforts in complex or multi-site organizations.
• Specialty certification in Oncology, Education, or Administration required within 2 years; Nurse Executive–Advanced (NEA-BC) preferred.
• Additional quality/process improvement certifications preferred (e.g., CPHQ, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent).
• Experience with program development, evaluation, complex change management, and enterprise analytics required.
• Membership and active engagement in oncology and/or nursing professional organizations preferred

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Executive presence with advanced leadership, change management, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Deep subject matter expertise in professional practice, Magnet standards, oncology nursing, and clinical quality frameworks.
• Advanced analytic skills, including data interpretation, visualization, and use of EHR/informatics tools; proficiency with dashboard development and data governance.
• Expertise in process improvement (Lean/Six Sigma), project/portfolio management, and performance measurement.
• Exceptional communication, scholarly and business writing, and persuasive influence across all levels.
• Strong financial acumen, budgeting, and vendor/contract management experience.
• Critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and the ability to lead effectively within interprofessional, matrixed environments.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

Sr Dir, Nursing $225,200. - $253,000. per year based on working 40 hrs/week

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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