The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) is searching for an Executive Director (ED). AHNCC is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) professional nursing credentialing organization. Incorporated in 1997, it is headquartered in Topeka, Kansas. This position may be filled remotely, with the understanding that the Executive Director would need to visit the office at least 2-3 times a year.
AHNCC advances holistic nursing and nurse coaching through national certification. Holistic nurses and nurse coaches promote health, wellness, and well-being by facilitating individuals’ growth and healing. AHNCC certifications offer nurses a way to distinguish themselves as experts in holistic nursing practice, education, and research. All examinations are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and are recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Program.
AHNCC offers the only nationally accredited certification examinations in holistic nursing and nurse coaching. AHNCC is responsible for the administration of all of its Certification Examinations, including the Basic and Advanced Holistic Nursing examinations and the Nurse Coach Role examination. The ED, together with the AHNCC Board of Directors (BOD), is responsible for ensuring the validity, reliability, security, and integrity of the certification process. AHNCC has certified over 5000 nurses in Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching. For more information about AHNCC including the organization’s Mission and Vision, please visit www.AHNCC.org.
Candidates applying need to send a cover letter, two letters of reference, and curricula vitae to [email protected] for consideration. Applications will be accepted from August 1, 2026 until September 30, 2026 or until the position is filled.
Executive Director Position Description
The AHNCC ED is responsible for all management functions of the Corporation, including oversight of the annual budget and a staff of 4 FTEs. The ED works closely with the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET), which oversees the certification application and testing services/processes. The ED works directly with the BOD, guides staff to increase the organization’s public visibility, and supports the Committees, Task Forces, and work of the BOD.
Prior experience with a similar-sized organization or association, including executive-level management, is preferable. A visionary servant leadership style, philosophical framework consistent with a holistic nursing paradigm, and the proven ability to work with partner organizations and other stakeholders is needed. Candidates who are nationally AHNCC certified are preferred. In addition, experience in credentialing and certification is valued. Starting salary offer is $90,000 plus benefits for qualified candidates.
Position DescriptionThe American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation Executive Director
The ED will embody servant leadership by combining participative and transformational approaches to compassionately guide organizational strategy, nurture team growth, and strengthen the AHNCC community.
Position OverviewAttributes being sought in the ED include deep listening, empathy, awareness, seeing the big picture, foresight, stewardship, compassion, commitment to the growth of team members, and building of the AHNCC community. These characteristics are essential to building authentic, trusting relationships with team members. As a servant leader, the ED reports to the BOD and is responsible for providing oversight of the overall operational, financial, strategic, human resource, stakeholder relations, and other leadership activities. The ED supports AHNCC programs, services, expansion, and implementation of its mission and purpose to promote reliable and valid certification examinations, certificant satisfaction, and financial stability of the organization. In collaboration with the BOD, the ED is responsible for achieving the strategic goals and supporting the mission of AHNCC.
QualificationsThe ED is thoroughly committed to AHNCC’s nonprofit mission and has proven leadership, fiscal, strategic, and relationship-building experience.
Minimum qualifications:
- Graduate degree in Nursing
- Certified as AHN-BC or APHN-BC
- Cultural Competency: Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- Minimum four (4) years of proven successful leadership with non-profit organizations or similar experience
- Unencumbered United States registered nurse licensure
- Understanding of and aligned with holistic nursing values and philosophical tenets.
- Knowledgeable of the holistic nursing and nurse coaching scopes and standards
- Financial acumen and resource management
- Access to transportation to headquarters, 2-3 times annually or in case of emergency, if working remotely.
- Strong servant leadership skills, working with national organizations or equivalent leadership experience.
- Proven skills in strategic planning and implementation of tactical elements of a plan.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Strong oral, written, electronic, and interpersonal communication skills.
- o Knowledge and experience ensuring bylaw compliance.o Ability to collaborate with like-minded and diverse multi-disciplinary organizations that support AHNCC’s mission andpurpose
- Excellent skills in engaging, connecting with, and building positive community relations, advocacy, and the ability to engage
with a diverse and inclusive expanse of stakeholders and cultureso Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groupso Willingness to travel to represent the AHNCC at national/international meetings as indicated
Preferred qualifications:
PhD or DNP
Experience in overseeing certification services and accreditation processes
Data Literacy: Ability to use dashboards and KPIs to drive impact
Major Responsibilities of the Role
Oversight of Accreditation Process and Application Submission
Responsible for oversight and implementation of the Accreditation Application process. This includes understanding and overseeing the numerous steps needed to achieve accreditation, including:
Ongoing literature review through the Role-Delineation Study/Practice Analysis (RDS/PA) Committee.
Review of current competencies, identification, and compilation of outdated or emerging competencies based on literature review.
Compilation of updated competencies.
Expert panel reviews of competencies for redundancy, currency, missing, readability, etc., until consensus is reached that competencies are complete.
Co-development with the Testing organization of a survey on identified practice competencies.
Beta testing of PA/RDS survey.
Oversight of the launch of RDS.
Blueprint Approval.
Item writing and Item review sessions.
Drafting and review of Accreditation application and creation /review/completion of needed attached documents.
Human Resources & Operations
a. Ensures appropriate and effective human resources with provision for succession and success, including promotion of an
organizational culture that fosters holism, well-being, self-care, reflection, and life-long learning, growth, and development for
all individuals.
b. Holistically supports workplace culture to achieve success for the staff to work together, as a team, to achieve identified
programs of the organization, ensuring that humane resource practices are in place to foster growth and development of all team
members.
c. Responsible for facilitating team member recruitment, retention, development, and performance. Sets organizational culture,
using servant leadership to motivate team members, and ensures efficient operations. Develops and identifies clear roles and
oversees AHNCC initiatives handled by team members.
Strategic, Servant Leadership Planning and Governance
a. Able to emulate and articulate AHNCC’s mission, vision, and goals.
b. Works closely with the BOD to develop and implement strategic plans, including guidance necessary to facilitate team
members in the programs, marketing, etc.
c. Passion for mission and ability to inspire others. Ensure that AHNCC activities remain strictly aligned with its mission.
d. Comfort with navigating ambiguity and leading through change.
Fiscal Managementa. In collaboration with the Finance Committee and the Board, manages and provides oversight of the organization’s funds and
resources, including supervising all bookkeeping, accounting, and financial activities of AHNCC.
b. Assures appropriate internal controls are in place and that AHNCC is in compliance with state, federal, and regulatory
requirements and procedures.
c. Prepares annual operating budgets, reviewing them with the Treasurer before submission to the BOD, and ensures the budget is
fiscally sound and healthy.
d. Adheres to AHNCC financial policies and procedures necessary for efficient resource allocation and financial compliance.
e. Adaptable and flexible when challenged with limited resources.
Communications and Board Relationshipsa. Acts as primary liaison between team members and BOD. Keeps the BOD fully informed about the organization. Preserves a
strong, balanced, effective BOD.
b. Guides AHNCC and BOD in responding to emerging issues affecting AHNCC, holistic nursing credentialing processes, and
national accreditation.
c. Demonstrates cooperation, proactive communication, taking the initiative to communicate and build authentic relationships,
fostering a more efficient and positive work-based culture, and a common organizational vision for the entire team.
Organization and Programmatic PlanningTogether with the AHNCC BOD, ensures leadership of the AHNCC in a manner consistent with Non-Profit Standards and Practices, including:
a.Overseeing volunteer management, community relations, certificant programs, and ensures that programmatic objectives are
developed, implemented, and supported.
b. Implements strategies, new programs, and initiatives to attract and retain certificants; prepares for the anticipated growth of the
organization.
c. Ensuring the strategic plan guides strategic goals.
d. Assures staff are responsive to the certificants.
e. Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in credentialing.
Engagement, Connections, and Marketing
- Assures the organization and its products and services are publicized in a positive way to relevant stakeholders.
- Represents the association at national/international meetings as directed by the BOD.
- Cultivates and supports relationships with community members, partners, media, and other stakeholders.
- Serves as chief spokesperson and public face of the AHNCC.
- Successfully builds strategic partnerships with other non-profit organizations, government agencies (as appropriate), and other stakeholders.
Advocacy for Certificants and Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching Certification
- Assures organizational advocacy for certificants and for holism in general.
- Establishes sound relationships, partnerships, and collaborative arrangements with philosophically minded nursing and interdisciplinary groups and organizations.
Operations and Systems Management
- Oversees general management of the organizational headquarters, including internal and external communications, information, and technology systems.
- Maintenance of official records and documents; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Processing of all stakeholders’ requests, data entry, and statistics.
- Ensuring effective systems to track progress of and regularly evaluate program components to measure needs and successes.
- Implements strategic plans and ensures strategic goals are in alignment with the plan.
- Oversees an effective overall office culture and environment, including security, equipment maintenance, and safety.
- Negotiates and manages contracts for contracted services, service agreements, director and officers’ liability insurance; planning and coordinating AHNCC, including BOD meetings.
Pay: From $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Education:
Experience:
- Nonprofit management: 4 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- RN License (Required)
- AHN-BC or APHN-BC (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Topeka, KS 66604
