Executive Director

About WSNA

WSNA is the leading voice and advocate for registered nurses and health professionals across Washington State. As a union and professional association, WSNA champions safe patient care, fair and safe working conditions, and inclusive professional practice environments, while advancing the power of organized labor and political advocacy to protect and advance the nursing profession.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of WSNA, responsible for leading the organization in alignment with its strategic priorities. This role requires a visionary leader who is politically astute and operationally savvy, and can galvanize staff, members, and stakeholders around a shared mission to strengthen nursing through advocacy, organizing, and inclusive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Drive execution of WSNA’s strategic priorities, including safe patient care, population health, political impact, organizational growth, labor movement engagement, and inclusivity.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to implement long-term strategic planning, providing reports and guidance to support strategic decision-making and organizational direction.
• Develop and implement plans aligned with WSNA’s mission, goals, and the evolving needs of nurses.
• Serve as a visible and effective spokesperson for WSNA across media, legislative, and public forums.
• Manage day-to-day operations, oversee staff teams and contractors, and guide the development and evaluation of all programs and policies.
• Support the development of and collaboration with WSNA’s regional constituent associations.

Political Advocacy & Public Affairs

• Strengthen WSNA’s influence in state and national policy arenas through coalition-building, lobbying, and strategic communications.
• Cultivate relationships with elected officials, regulatory bodies, and allied organizations to advance nursing priorities.
• Oversee development and execution of legislative campaigns and grassroots mobilization efforts.
• Advance partnerships with other nursing and community organizations to advocate on issues of common concern.
• Engage members in grassroots advocacy and mobilization on priority issues.

Financial Management and Growth

• Lead internal operations with a focus on financial sustainability, staff development, and member services.
• Oversee and manage the annual operating budget, ensuring fiscal stability and working with finance committees to allocate resources effectively.
• Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and fiduciary standards.
• Prioritize support for growth through new and internal organizing and member recruitment.

Labor Engagement & Union Advocacy

• Deepen WSNA’s role in the labor movement by increasing member engagement and collaboration with union partners.
• Act as the public face of WSNA, advocating for nurses' rights, improved practice environments, and influencing policy at all levels.
• Support collective bargaining efforts, grievance resolution, and contract enforcement.
• Champion union values and solidarity across healthcare settings.
• Foster member engagement and support the empowerment of local chapters and bargaining units, ensuring member needs and voices are heard and addressed.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Promote a culture of inclusivity within WSNA and the broader nursing profession.
• Ensure that organizational policies, member engagement, and public advocacy efforts consistently reflect a commitment to compassion, respect, and the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. This includes advancing strategies that address health and socioeconomic disparities, promote equity, and uphold inclusive practices across all areas of the organization’s work.
• Promote leadership development opportunities for underrepresented voices in nursing.

National Partnerships

• Advance and maintain strong relationships with WSNA’s national partners: the American Nurses Association, AFT, and their state affiliates.

Required Education and Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a health-, management-, or labor-related field strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in progressive leadership roles within labor, nursing, public health, advocacy, or non-profit management.
• Deep understanding of healthcare systems, nursing practice, healthcare policies and regulations, and labor relations.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the labor movement, including experience working with unionized workforces and collective bargaining agreements.
• Demonstrated success in political strategy, coalition-building, and public policy advocacy.
• Strong financial acumen, budgeting, and organizational management skills
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and organizational development.
• Exceptional communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse groups, including nurses, health system leaders, and the public.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Proficient in using standard office software and communication tools.

Preferred Experience, Attributes, and Qualifications

• Registered Nurse strongly preferred.
• High level of interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to identify emerging trends and challenges in the nursing profession and labor relations, developing innovative strategies to address them.
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative spirit.
• Charismatic communicator and relationship-builder.
• Empathetic leader who inspires trust and action.
• Resilient, adaptable, and mission-driven.
• Familiarity with Washington State’s political and healthcare landscape.