Nurse Director NICU

Job Description

Nurse Director NICU (Level IV NICU)

📍 Southern Texas

🕒 Full Time

Where compassion meets innovation — and leadership shapes the future of neonatal care.

A leading pediatric hospital in southern Texas is seeking an experienced and hands-on Director of Neonatal Services to lead one of the state’s premier Level IV NICUs . This is an exceptional opportunity to join a mission-driven organization that blends advanced technology, compassionate care, and a collaborative culture.

About the Role

The Director of Neonatal Services oversees all aspects of a 60-bed Level IV NICU , providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure excellence in patient outcomes, team engagement, and family-centered care. The unit maintains an average daily census of 37 , previously higher prior to the recent opening of a specialized Cardiac ICU .

This role has four direct reports — two day and two night nurse managers — and leads a dedicated team of 159 FTEs . The ideal candidate is an approachable, visible leader who enjoys working alongside staff, building trust, and fostering a strong culture of collaboration, quality, and compassion.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 24-hour accountability for the NICU’s clinical and operational performance.
• Ensure safe, high-quality, and developmentally appropriate neonatal care aligned with Level IV standards.
• Lead and mentor nurse managers and staff to maintain excellence in clinical outcomes and patient experience.
• Develop and manage operational and capital budgets; monitor financial performance and resource utilization.
• Maintain compliance with state, federal, and accreditation requirements.
• Actively round in the unit to engage staff, support patient families, and identify improvement opportunities.

Qualifications