Chief Nursing Officer
: Job Details :

Lead with vision. Build a legacy. Transform care.

ThedaCare is seeking a strategic, values-driven Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to shape and lead the future of nursing across a fully integrated health system serving Northeast and Central Wisconsin. This is an opportunity to influence care delivery for thousands of patients and to elevate nursing practice at a system level—through bold leadership, clinical excellence, and a culture that puts people first.

The Role

The CNO is the top nursing executive at ThedaCare and a core member of the senior leadership team. This individual will partner closely in a dyad relationship with the Executive Partners to align nursing strategy across hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory settings. From workforce development to standardizing evidence-based care, the CNO will guide the professional practice of more than 2,000 nurses while championing safety, quality, and staff engagement system-wide. This is more than a clinical leadership role, it is a mission-critical position to help drive organizational performance through empowered, collaborative nursing teams.

You will be responsible for:

• Defining and executing a system-wide nursing strategy aligned with ThedaCare's core values
• Building a culture of engagement, inclusion, accountability, and professional pride across the nursing workforce
• Leading change across a dynamic environment through trust, transparency, and influence.
• Advancing clinical excellence through standardization, shared governance, and continuous improvement.
• Partnering with executives and operational leaders to deliver high-quality, equitable, cost-effective care.

The Ideal Candidate

You're a servant leader with a clear track record of success leading large nursing organizations in complex, multi-site systems. You know how to inspire loyalty, challenge the status quo, and drive transformation. You're passionate about team development and committed to your values even when the work is hard. You know how to communicate clearly, build consensus, and push forward with courage and clarity.

What You Bring

• 7+ years in senior-level nursing leadership roles in large health systems
• Master's degree required; Doctorate preferred
• Current or eligible RN licensure in Wisconsin
• Deep experience in quality improvement, change leadership, and clinical operations
• Magnet experience preferred
• Community hospital and academic collaboration experience desirable