Director, Ambulatory Nursing - Cancer Services

Join a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as the Director, Ambulatory Nursing - Cancer Services.  We are seeking a visionary cancer services leader to provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for ambulatory oncology services across the AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavillion. The Director is accountable for the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care and the development of an integrated ambulatory nursing practice that advances the organization's mission, vision, and strategic priorities. The Director will be a strategic operations and finance partner to the Executive Director & ACNO of Cancer Nursing. 

The successful candidate will oversee ambulatory oncology operations to ensure excellence in patient experience, access, quality, and operational performance. In collaboration with physician, operational, and interdisciplinary leaders, the Director drives initiatives related to service line growth, workforce optimization, resource management, process improvement, and the implementation of innovative, technology-enabled care models.

The Director fosters a culture of professional nursing excellence through workforce development, engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement. This role ensures nurses practice to the top of their license, optimizes resource deployment and standardizes nursing practice across disease-focused clinics and ambulatory programs.

As the nursing leader for ambulatory oncology, the Director establishes professional practice standards and will lead the development of evidence-based care delivery models that promote safe, efficient, and equitable care. The role fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards across the ambulatory cancer enterprise. The role ensures quality compassionate, culturally competent, effective and efficient patient care.

You’ll join a leadership team of dedicated and passionate individuals committed to transformational change and the highest echelon of patient care. UCM is a leader in cancer services, as evidenced by the construction of Chicago’s first freestanding facility dedicated to cancer care and research- AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion opens in the spring of 2027. Our aim in cancer services is to be a place of hope, healing, and scientific discoveries that meaningfully advance cancer care for patients and our community. We’re looking for someone who can help drive our initiatives forward. The Director will promote excellence in all areas of ambulatory operations and serve as the champion for continued process improvement. 

Who you are:

• BSN required. Master's degree or other advanced degree in healthcare-related field, such as MSN, MHA, or MBA, also required.

• Current RN licensure or eligible for licensure in the state of Illinois. 

• National nursing certification strongly preferred.  Must sit for a national nursing certification within 12 months of eligibility.

• Oncology nursing experience is a must.      Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) strongly preferred. 
• 8+ years in the nursing field to include responsibility managing multiple, large patient care areas and prior management responsibilities over ambulatory oncology care settings. 
• 3+ years of progressive experience overseeing ambulatory practice and leading strategic ambulatory projects.

• Experience in a Magnet designated organization is highly desirable.

• Ability to analyze information, present data, and draw conclusions by applying analysis techniques, using data to drive positive performance.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated experience in leading organizational change to positive outcomes by managing large projects and working effectively in multidisciplinary groups.
• Proven ability to lead change, organize teams, and delegate effectively.

What you’ll gain as Director, Ambulatory Nursing, Cancer Services: 

• Opportunity to work at a world-class organization, engaging numerous stakeholders, with the mission of providing a strong vision for the future of ambulatory practices across the AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion.
• Opportunity to improve the quality of a cancer patient’s care journey. 

What you’ll do as the Director, Ambulatory Nursing, Cancer Services: 

• Provide operational and strategic direction for ambulatory oncology nursing to ensure safe, high-quality, patient-centered care and operational excellence. 
• Collaborate with operational leaders to implement strategic initiatives, optimize care delivery and support the growth of ambulatory cancer services through effective staffing models, cross-coverage plans, and workforce strategies that support efficiency and promote patient access.
• Lead the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the ambulatory oncology nursing care delivery model ensuring standardization and optimization so team members practice at the top of their education, licensure, and certification while delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
• Oversee nursing quality, patient safety, clinical outcomes, and operational performance through performance metrics, dashboards, and continuous quality improvement initiatives. 
• Coach, mentor, and evaluate nursing leaders while fostering a culture of accountability, interdisciplinary collaboration, engagement and professional growth with the aim to strengthen the ambulatory oncology nursing workforce.
• Partner with research and clinical trials leadership to integrate oncology nursing practice into clinical research and innovation.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with accreditation, regulatory, and professional standards, maintaining readiness for surveys and external reviews.
• Develop and implement best-in-class operations across Ambulatory Cancer Services and UChicago Medicine, including the development of budgets, financials and long-range planning processes leading to optimal effectiveness, service excellence and clinical quality.
• Foster efforts to positively impact the organization’s visibility, image, and relationship with its surrounding community and professional associations to advance oncology nursing practice. 

E4 Leadership (Equity, Engage, Evolve, Excel) is a patient centered management system that empowers teams to improve on a daily basis. This is done through daily readiness huddles, real time process monitoring, performance review huddles and structured problem solving. E4 Leadership is an evolving system where leaders work together to cultivate a culture of equity and continuous improvement that enables:

1. Each person to realize their full potential for contribution 
2. The organization to achieve high performance outcomes
3. System-wide integration, coordination, and seamless execution
4. Clear focus on exceptional, equitable patient care and experiences.

As part of the leadership team, this position will be instrumental in reinforcing and sustaining UCM’s E4 Leadership Culture.