Description
Stanford Health Care (SHC) invites an accomplished executive to become the Senior Director of Clinical Nutrition Services—a high-impact leadership opportunity at one of the nation’s most respected academic health systems. SHC combines discovery with outstanding diagnosis, treatment, quality, compassion, and coordinated care, supported by 16,100+ employees and premier programs in cancer, neuroscience, orthopedics, cardiovascular surgery, and organ transplant. It hosts the region’s only Level I trauma center between San Francisco and San Jose, is a Magnet-designated organization since 2007, carries Joint Commission accreditation and a Five-Star CMS rating, and has earned Vizient awards and repeated U.S. News Honor Roll recognition.
In this role, you will provide operational leadership for Clinical Nutrition Services, partnering with the VP – Patient Care Services and Business Clinical Support Services to plan, direct, and continually improve nutrition care, policies, staffing, regulatory compliance, and patient outcomes. You will build a highperforming, evidencebased team and foster collaboration across SHC to elevate quality and the patient experience.
The ideal candidate is an engaging, authentic, strategic thinker with exceptional critical thinking, strong negotiation skills, and a commitment to staff development, accountability, and transparent leadership. This is a significant career opportunity to influence nutrition services within a premier academic health system dedicated to discovery and exceptional patient care.
The Senior Director of Clinical Nutrition Services provides SHC system leadership for inpatient, outpatient, and specialty nutrition programs across multiple sites. This leader sets the strategic vision and direction for Clinical Nutrition, advances clinical excellence, innovative care models, and integrates nutrition into multidisciplinary care standards across the continuum. The Senior Director partners with other senior clinical leaders, physician leaders, population health teams, and other executives to ensure nutrition is embedded in SHC's mission for exceptional patient care, education, and research. The role oversees multi-site operations, develops systemwide clinical nutrition standards, directs large-scale initiatives, and drives measurable improvements in patient outcomes, quality, and operational performance.
Requirements
Master's degree in nutrition, dietetics, or related field from an accredited college or university required. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) required and advanced specialty certification (e.g., CNSC, RDN-AP, CDCES, BC-ADM) preferred.
Minimum 10 to 12 years of progressive leadership experience in clinical nutrition services within academic medical center or complex healthcare system with multi-sites or enterprise-level oversight required. Strong background in leading both inpatient and outpatient clinical nutrition programs required.
Required knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Deep knowledge of clinical nutrition science and its application across complex patient populations.
- Ability to lead large-scale organizational initiatives and influence change in a matrixed academic medical center.
- Demonstrated success in program development, strategic planning, and performance improvement.
- Strong executive presence, communication skills, and experience presenting to senior leadership and governing bodies.
- Advanced operational planning, financial, and business acumen.
- Knowledge of regulatory standards for nutrition services across inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Ability to support clinical research, participate in academic initiatives, and foster a culture of inquiry and evidence-based practice.
- Capabilities in workforce development, leadership coaching, talent development, and management.
