_{13th June, 2026}

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Flagship International Hospital Development | Central Asia - A Rare Opportunity to Build a World-Class Nursing Service from Day One


Most Chief Nursing Officer appointments involve inheriting an existing nursing workforce, established systems, and a pre-existing culture.


This one is different.


First Medical has been exclusively retained to identify an exceptional nursing executive for a flagship international hospital scheduled to open in September 2026.


Backed by significant investment and designed around international clinical, digital, and operational standards, this next-generation healthcare facility will incorporate advanced digital infrastructure, AI-enabled healthcare technologies, smart hospital systems, modern diagnostics, and world-class clinical standards.


This is a unique opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team before opening and play a defining role in shaping the nursing strategy, workforce, governance framework, quality standards, accreditation journey, and operational foundations of one of Central Asia's most ambitious healthcare developments.


Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working alongside the Board of Directors, Chief Medical Officer, and Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will help establish a hospital designed to become a regional centre of excellence for patient care, nursing excellence, innovation, and clinical outcomes.
This appointment offers the rare opportunity to build a nursing organisation from inception and leave a lasting professional legacy.


The Opportunity


As Chief Nursing Officer, you will provide executive leadership across all nursing services and play a pivotal role in establishing a culture of excellence throughout the organisation.
Executive Nursing Leadership

• Develop and execute the hospital's nursing vision and long-term strategic direction.
• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Advise the CEO and Board on all nursing, workforce, and patient care matters.
• Build a culture of accountability, compassion, innovation, and patient-centred care.

Nursing Excellence & Clinical Quality

• Establish and maintain world-class nursing governance frameworks.
• Lead patient safety, quality improvement, and nursing performance initiatives.
• Ensure the highest standards of professional nursing practice across all clinical services.
• Drive evidence-based nursing care and continuous quality improvement.

Workforce Strategy & Talent Development

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing nursing workforce.
• Establish leadership development and succession planning programmes.
• Create workforce strategies that support future growth and service expansion.
• Foster a culture of professional development, engagement, and nursing excellence.

Hospital Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Lead nursing planning and pre-opening activities.
• Support service design, workforce planning, operational readiness, and hospital launch preparations.
• Establish nursing policies, procedures, staffing models, and governance structures prior to opening.

Accreditation & Regulatory Leadership

• Lead nursing preparedness for accreditation and regulatory compliance.
• Support the organisation's journey towards JCI and other internationally recognised accreditation programmes.
• Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and international best-practice standards.

Patient Safety & Clinical Risk

• Oversee infection prevention, medication safety, patient experience, and clinical risk management programmes.
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

Candidate Profile


We are seeking an accomplished nursing executive with a proven track record of leadership within complex healthcare environments.
Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.
• Current nursing registration/licensure.
• Minimum 10 years of senior nursing leadership experience within a hospital environment.
• Previous experience in positions such as:
  
  • Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
  • Director of Nursing
  • Executive Director of Nursing
  • Group Director of Nursing
  • Deputy Chief Nursing Officer
  • Associate Chief Nursing Officer
• Demonstrated experience leading large multidisciplinary nursing teams.
• Strong expertise in nursing governance, workforce planning, quality improvement, patient safety, and operational leadership.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and executive leadership capabilities.

Highly Desirable

• Master's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare Management, Hospital Administration, MBA, or related discipline.
• Experience supporting JCI, ACHSI, Magnet Recognition, Accreditation Canada, or equivalent accreditation frameworks.
• Previous involvement in hospital commissioning, expansion, or transformation projects.
• Experience leading workforce transformation and nursing excellence initiatives.
• International healthcare leadership experience.

Executive Compensation Package


A highly competitive international executive package will be offered to attract exceptional nursing leaders from the UK, Australia, Canada, Europe, Singapore, and the GCC.


Estimated Compensation Range


�� £250,000 – £400,000+ per annum
�� USD $340,000 – $545,000+ per annum
���� AED 104,000 – AED 167,000+ per month


Executive Benefits Package


✔ Executive housing allowance or company-provided accommodation
✔ Comprehensive family medical insurance
✔ Annual return flights for employee and eligible dependents
✔ Relocation and repatriation assistance
✔ Schooling allowance for dependent children
✔ Annual leave entitlement
✔ Performance-based incentives
✔ Professional development and conference support
✔ Executive relocation package
✔ Visa sponsorship for employee and family


Compensation Philosophy


The compensation ranges provided are intended as a guide only. The client recognises that exceptional healthcare executives command varying levels of remuneration globally. Compensation will be tailored to the successful candidate's experience, leadership profile, international exposure, and track record.


Exceptional packages may be considered for candidates with significant Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Director of Nursing, hospital commissioning, accreditation, workforce transformation, Magnet Recognition, organisational growth, or executive healthcare leadership experience.
  
Why This Opportunity Stands Apart


�� Flagship International Hospital Project
�� AI-Enabled & Digitally Advanced Healthcare Environment
�� Executive Board-Level Influence
�� Opportunity to Build a Nursing Service from Inception
⭐ Create a Lasting Professional Legacy
�� Significant Investment & International Standards
�� Opportunity to Shape the Future of Nursing Leadership in a New Healthcare Institution

Appointments of this nature are exceptionally rare and will appeal to visionary nursing leaders seeking the opportunity to build something truly meaningful rather than simply manage what already exists.

Confidential Executive Search


For a confidential discussion regarding this appointment, please contact:


�� jobs@firstmedical.ae
�� +971 58 203 6164 (WhatsApp)
�� www.firstmedical.ae


All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Apply For Job