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Unit Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

NURSING UNIT DIRECTOR/MANAGER

Roanoke, VA · On-site

$39 - $51.50/hr

Nursing Unit Director/Manager The Unit Director/Manager, Nursing provides 24-hour leadership for nursing unit operations, supports staff and patient care delivery, fosters a safe and engaging ...

NURSING UNIT DIRECTOR/MANAGER

Roanoke, VA · On-site

$39 - $51.50/hr

R161223 NURSING UNIT DIRECTOR/MANAGER (Open) How You'll Help Transform Healthcare: The Unit Director/Manager, Nursing provides 24-hour leadership for nursing unit operations, supports staff and ...

NURSING UNIT DIRECTOR/MANAGER

Roanoke, VA · On-site

$39 - $51.50/hr

R161223 NURSING UNIT DIRECTOR/MANAGER (Open) How You'll Help Transform Healthcare: The Unit Director/Manager, Nursing provides 24-hour leadership for nursing unit operations, supports staff and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Unit Director information

See Virginia salary details

$22.3K

$75.6K

$145.7K

How much do unit director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for unit director in Virginia is $75,624.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,100.00 and $104,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Unit Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Unit Director, you need strong leadership abilities, strategic planning skills, and relevant experience in the specific field, often backed by a bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with budgeting software, project management tools, and organizational systems is typically required. Outstanding communication, conflict resolution, and team-building skills help you lead diverse teams and drive unit performance. These competencies ensure effective oversight, operational efficiency, and achievement of organizational goals.

What are Unit Directors?

Unit Directors are professionals responsible for overseeing the operations and management of a specific department, unit, or division within an organization. They ensure that their unit meets its goals, manages staff effectively, and operates within budgetary and organizational guidelines. Unit Directors also develop and implement policies, coordinate with other departments, and report to higher-level management. Their role is critical in maintaining the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the services provided by their unit.

What are the primary challenges a Unit Director faces when managing multidisciplinary teams?

Unit Directors often oversee teams with diverse professional backgrounds, such as nurses, administrative staff, and allied health professionals. One of the main challenges is ensuring clear communication and collaboration across these varied roles to maintain high standards of care and operational efficiency. Balancing administrative responsibilities, such as budgeting and staffing, with hands-on leadership and staff development can also be demanding. Successful Unit Directors frequently rely on strong interpersonal skills and adaptability to foster a positive, cohesive team environment.

What is the difference between Unit Director vs Program Coordinator?

AspectUnit DirectorProgram Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree often required; management experience preferredBachelor's degree typically required; experience in program support beneficial
Work EnvironmentLeads teams within organizations like healthcare, education, or social servicesSupports program implementation, often in similar settings
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, healthcare, education, government agenciesNonprofits, educational institutions, community programs

The main difference is that a Unit Director oversees entire units or departments, managing staff and operations, while a Program Coordinator supports specific programs within those units, focusing on coordination and logistics. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and responsibility.

What are the most commonly searched types of Unit jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Unit jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Unit Director jobs in Virginia? For Unit Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Unit Director jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Unit Director job openings:
NURSING UNIT DIRECTOR/MANAGER

NURSING UNIT DIRECTOR/MANAGER

Carillion Clinic

Roanoke, VA • On-site

$39 - $51.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Carilion Clinic rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 213 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

447th of 884 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Nursing Unit Director/Manager

The Unit Director/Manager, Nursing provides 24-hour leadership for nursing unit operations, supports staff and patient care delivery, fosters a safe and engaging environment, and bridges organizational strategy with clinical practice.

The Unit Director/Manager, Nursing:

  • Has 24-hour accountability and responsibility for a direct care nursing unit/area, providing a vital link between the strategic direction of the organization and the point of care. Responsible for creating safe, healthy environments that support the work of the healthcare team and contribute to patient and employee engagement.
  • Provides clinical knowledge, leadership mentoring, and support to Assistant Nurse Managers and unit staff. Initiates developmental and performance-based conversations and provides opportunities for professional growth. Cultivates interprofessional relationships and maintains high visibility on the nursing unit.
  • Responsible for the development of unit goals, action plans, and outcome monitoring in alignment with nursing and organizational strategic plans. Engages direct reports in meeting strategic unit goals including quality, patient experience, employee engagement, staff retention, and throughput metrics.
  • Responsible for planning budgets and managing expenses in alignment with cost-saving initiatives including staffing mix and supply management.
  • Monitors and evaluates patient experience with services and implements programs to continuously enhance patient experience in conjunction with senior service line management.
  • Facilitates professional growth and development including education, effective performance appraisal processes, developmental conversations, and succession planning.
  • Responsible for implementation and monitoring of department budgets, expense management, and engagement in cost containment initiatives.
  • Supports facility and organizational mission, goals, values, and scorecard objectives.
  • Creates a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with standards and patient rights. Monitors and evaluates quality, appropriateness, and safety of care provided by the department and implements solutions for quality and patient safety opportunities.
  • Responsible for employee recognition activities and developing retention strategies to promote a positive work environment. Activities include staff and patient rounding and maintaining high visibility.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable regulatory, licensure, and accrediting standards including The Joint Commission, CLIA, COLA, OSHA, AAAHC, and others as applicable.
  • Provides day-to-day leadership for successful implementation of departmental goals and objectives including throughput, patient experience rounding, employee engagement, quality monitoring, budget planning, and expense management.
  • Communicates, organizes, prioritizes, leads, facilitates, coaches, and problem-solves with reporting staff to ensure goals and objectives are met.
  • Collaborates with other department leaders to implement new healthcare services and performance improvement initiatives and positively represents Carilion Clinic at public and professional meetings.
  • May provide direct patient care or assist employees in overall patient care activities.
  • Responsible for overseeing day-to-day department operations and managing departmental functions and resources in a collaborative and participative manner to optimize service performance.
  • Coordinates resources to provide adequate staffing for the department. Demonstrates effective team building and leadership skills. Establishes day-to-day priorities, directs staff assignments, and facilitates team problem-solving processes.
  • Facilitates professional growth and development through education and effective performance appraisal processes.
  • Responsible for employee recognition activities and developing retention strategies that promote a positive work environment.
What We Require:

Education: Graduate of professional nursing school. BSN required for CMC positions due to Magnet designation

For outlying community hospitals, BSN is preferred or an ADN in conjunction with a related master's degree

Experience: Minimum of 3 years leadership experience is required; experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Licensure, certification, and/or registration: Currently licensed as Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, de-escalation training must be successfully completed within four months of hire and then maintained going forward.

Life Support: AHA BLS-HCP required.

Other Minimum Qualifications: Demonstrates excellent problem-solving, interpersonal, communication, team leadership, priority setting and work competency skills. Promotes a respectful, inclusive culture of service excellence. In Psychiatry and Behavioral Health must possess ability to appropriately handle/restrain patients who may be disruptive and/or physically violent.

This job description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by the incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Other Minimum Qualifications: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Self-motivated individual. Aptitude for detailed record keeping. Communications: Communicates with patients, patient's family members and members of the healthcare team. Confidentiality: Accesses, enters and/or updates confidential patient healthcare information as a regular responsibility of the job. Judgment: Ability to prioritize workflow and make appropriate assignments to others. Follows established protocols. Impact is department/facility specific. Age-specific criteria: Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and assesses data reflective of the patient's status.

This job description is intended to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by incumbents in this role. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Benefits, Pay and Well-being at Carilion Clinic

Carilion understands the importance of prioritizing your well-being to help you develop and thrive. That's why we offer a well-rounded benefits package, and many perks and well-being resources to help you live a happy, healthy life – at work and when you're away.

When you make your tomorrow with us, we'll enhance your potential to realize the best in yourself. Below are benefits available to you when you join Carilion:

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits
  • Employer Funded Pension Plan, vested after five years (Voluntary 403B)
  • Paid Time Off (accrued from day one)
  • Onsite fitness studios and discounts to our Carilion Wellness centers
  • Access to our health and wellness app, Personify Health
  • Discounts on childcare
  • Continued education and training

What Carilion Clinic employees say

Pay

Benefits

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Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Carilion Clinic

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

This is Carilion Clinic ... An organization where innovation happens, collaboration is expected and ideas are valued. A not-for-profit, mission-driven health system built on progress and partnerships. A courageous team that is always learning, never discouraged and forever curious. Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., you will find a robust system of award winning hospitals, Level 1 and 3 trauma centers, Level 3 NICU, Institute of Orthopedics and Neurosciences, multi-specialty physician practices, and The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. Carilion is where you can make your own path, make new discoveries and, most importantly, make a difference. Here, in a place where the air is clean, people are kind and life is good. Make your tomorrow with us.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Roanoke, VA, US

Year founded

1899