Assistant Chief Nursing Officer

Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO)

• Location: Manchester, NH
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
• Schedule: Days | No Weekends
• Base Salary: Up to $165,000 annually
• Annual Incentive Bonus: Eligible (up to 17.5%)

Overview

A not-for-profit acute care hospital in the Manchester area is seeking an experienced Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) to support executive nursing leadership and oversee multiple inpatient care areas. This role partners closely with the Chief Nursing Officer to drive clinical excellence, operational performance, and strategic growth across nursing services.

The ACNO plays a critical role in advancing patient-centered care, nursing engagement, quality outcomes, and leadership development while preparing for future progression into a Chief Nursing Officer role.

Responsibilities

Quality & Safety

• Support the CNO in developing and implementing nursing policies and procedures aligned with regulatory and professional standards.

• Lead continuous performance improvement initiatives focused on quality, safety, and patient outcomes.

• Conduct regular leadership rounds with patients, staff, and physicians to ensure operational alignment and service excellence.

• Ensure timely follow-up on patient complaints, safety events, and occurrence reports, with corrective action monitoring.

Patient Experience & Service

• Champion a patient-first culture across assigned nursing units.

• Support service recovery efforts and patient experience initiatives.

• Promote a professional practice environment that supports nurse recruitment and retention.

• Foster evidence-based practice and clinical inquiry within nursing teams.

People & Leadership

• Provide executive-level leadership to nursing leaders and frontline teams.

• Promote staff autonomy, accountability, and professional growth.

• Support nursing education, orientation, and ongoing competency development.

• Collaborate with educators to ensure effective onboarding and skill development.

• Maintain strong working relationships with physicians and interdisciplinary leaders to drive shared goals.

Growth & Strategy

• Assist in planning and launching new clinical services and programs.

• Participate in facility expansion, renovation, and capital projects impacting nursing operations.

• Lead assigned initiatives and task forces while ensuring transparent communication and progress tracking.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN).

• Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN).

• Active RN license (New Hampshire or compact eligible).

• Minimum 5 years of nursing leadership experience in an acute care hospital.

• Minimum 5 years of direct supervisory or director-level experience.

• Inpatient Medical–Surgical Director experience required.

Preferred

• Experience supporting executive nursing operations across multiple service lines.

• Demonstrated success in quality improvement, staff engagement, and operational leadership.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive-level base salary.

• Annual performance-based incentive opportunity.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement plan with employer contribution.

• Generous paid time off and executive benefits.

• Leadership development and long-term career advancement opportunities.

Ideal For

This role is well-suited for established nursing leaders with strong inpatient and medical–surgical leadership backgrounds who are ready to step into an enterprise-level executive role with succession potential.

Keywords 

Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, ACNO, Nursing Executive, Hospital Nursing Leadership, Med Surg Director, Acute Care Nursing Leadership
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