Director of Emergency Services

Employment Type & Compensation

• Employment Type: Full-Time | Executive Leadership

• Base Salary Range:

• $132,579 minimum

• $172,369 mid-range

• Up to $180,000–$185,000 for highly seasoned candidates

• Annual Performance Bonus: 17.5% – 26.25%

• Sign-On Bonus: None

• Relocation Assistance: Available case-by-case

Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Director of Emergency Services to lead a high-volume, Level II Trauma Emergency Department in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

This executive-level leader will oversee the main Emergency Department and two freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs), with expansion plans underway for a third FSED. The Director will drive clinical excellence, operational performance, regulatory compliance, staff engagement, and strategic growth within a 331-bed acute care hospital.

Emergency Services Snapshot

• Facility Size: 331 beds

• Trauma Level: II

• Main ED Beds: 40

• Volume: 120–125 patients/day

• FSEDs: 2 active (12 beds each) + 1 opening soon

• Acuity: STEMI & Primary Stroke Certified

• Main ED FTEs: 64

• Turnover Rate: 49%

• Reports To: Chief Nursing Officer (former ED Director)

Core Responsibilities

Quality & Clinical Excellence

• Establish and sustain a superior clinical identity rooted in evidence-based practice.

• Ensure adherence to all regulatory, accreditation, and trauma standards.

• Drive improvement in core measures, patient safety, and throughput metrics.

• Manage clinical variation to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Oversee equipment compliance and regulatory readiness.

Operations & Throughput

• Lead volume forecasting, staffing models, and patient flow optimization.

• Ensure safe staffing and competency alignment.

• Develop care coordination strategies to improve efficiency and outcomes.

• Direct nursing practice and emergency department operations.

Service & Patient Experience

• Champion an exceptional patient experience culture.

• Leverage patient feedback to implement measurable improvements.

• Partner with patient experience leadership to drive service excellence.

People & Culture

• Inspire a high-energy, accountable team culture.

• Develop strategies to reduce turnover and improve engagement.

• Mentor managers and support leadership pipeline development.

• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing ED teams.

Growth & Strategy

• Collaborate with executive leadership and physicians to expand services.

• Support launch and operational readiness of new freestanding ED.

• Identify opportunities to increase volume and service differentiation.

Finance & Performance

• Lead annual budgeting, labor management, and productivity initiatives.

• Monitor operating expenses and identify cost reduction opportunities.

• Manage premium pay, staffing models, and equipment utilization.

• Close performance gaps through measurable action plans.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of current or recent Acute Care ED Director experience

• Leadership experience in a Level I or Level II Trauma facility

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Required)

• Master’s Degree (Preferred)

• Demonstrated success managing high-volume Emergency Departments

• Strong experience with metrics-driven performance improvement

Ideal Candidate Profile

• High-energy, inspirational leader capable of stabilizing and strengthening culture

• Experienced managing new graduate integration and retention strategies

• Proven record improving ED throughput, engagement, and quality outcomes

• Comfortable leading multi-site emergency services operations

• Metrics-focused with measurable accomplishments clearly reflected on resume

Compensation Highlights

• Competitive executive-level salary

• Performance bonus potential up to 26.25%

• Growth opportunity with expanding FSED footprint

• Leadership reporting directly to an ED-experienced CNO

Keywords

Emergency Department Director, ED Director Level II Trauma, Multi-Site ED Leadership, Emergency Services Executive, STEMI Stroke Certified ED, Florida Hospital Leadership

#EmergencyServices #EDDirector #TraumaLeadership #HealthcareExecutive #FloridaNursingLeadership