Senior Operations Manager

Senior Operations Manager

Elite Veterinary Specialists

Florida-based, with regular travel between our clinics

Full-time | Compensation based on experience, credentials, and qualifications | Sign-on and retention bonus

Lead With Purpose at Elite Veterinary Specialists

Are you a veterinary professional who knows both sides of the hospital, the treatment floor and the business behind it, and is ready to lead? At Elite Veterinary Specialists, we're committed to providing compassionate, human-centric pet care that prioritizes both pets and their owners. Our mission is to lead with empathy, uphold integrity, and foster trust through honest, personalized service.

About Us

We're not just another veterinary practice. We're a growing veterinary ophthalmology group with clinics in Central Florida (Casselberry, Clermont, The Villages, Winter Haven, and Gaithersburg, Maryland) with more locations coming soon.

We are not a corporate group. We are proudly privately owned, with no corporate or private equity backing, and every decision is made locally by people who know our patients, clients, and team. Our leadership brings years of experience in multi-location specialty hospitals, and we're building a workplace that values each person's contributions over the impersonal feel of corporate culture. As we grow, you'll help shape how our practice runs, keeping it purpose-driven and dedicated to exceptional care at every location.

The Role

The Senior Operations Manager is the key link between our clinic teams and ownership. You'll lead the front desk and technician leads at every location, solve day-to-day operational problems, and make sure each clinic has the people, schedules, and systems it needs to deliver excellent patient care. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands both the medical and business sides of a veterinary hospital and is comfortable stepping onto the floor when the team needs support. You'll also play a central role in opening our newest locations as we expand.

What You'll Do

TEAM LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

• Build a positive, accountable, and collaborative culture across all locations
• Lead, coach, and support front desk and technician leads through regular one-on-ones, clear expectations, and ongoing feedback
• Support employee engagement, morale, retention, and professional development
• Develop emerging leaders and create consistent management practices across locations
• Promote strong communication between doctors, technicians, assistants, client service representatives, and ownership
• Handle complex or emotionally sensitive situations with professionalism, fairness, and empathy

STAFFING & HUMAN RESOURCES

• Build and approve staff schedules across all locations, manage PTO, and ensure coverage based on hospital and patient needs
• Identify staffing needs and lead recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding, recommending final candidates to ownership
• Conduct performance reviews and corrective action, and provide input on compensation decisions
• Manage employee documentation, leave coordination, and day-to-day HR matters
• Communicate hospital policies and procedures and ensure they are followed consistently
• Serve as the first point of contact for clinic escalations, bringing the right issues to ownership

CLINICAL & FLOOR SUPPORT

• Maintain an active presence in the hospitals and stay connected to the daily work of clinical teams
• Assist on the floor when patient volume, staffing gaps, or unexpected circumstances call for extra support
• Help coordinate workflow during busy periods and support collaboration between clinical departments

COMPLIANCE & SAFETY

• Oversee OSHA, safety, and hospital compliance programs, and support the doctors with controlled substance record-keeping and audits
• Maintain required documentation and ensure team members complete required training
• Promote a safe, organized, and professional environment for employees, clients, and patients
• Address facility, equipment, and compliance concerns promptly, managing vendors and supplies within approved spending authority

GROWTH & STANDARDIZATION

• Lead new-location openings, including staffing, training, systems setup, and opening-day readiness
• Standardize protocols, training, and workflows across all clinics as the group grows

What We're Looking For

• Credentialed veterinary technician (CVT, RVT, LVT, or equivalent) preferred. Candidates without a credential should bring substantial hands-on clinical experience.
• 5+ years of veterinary practice management experience, preferably multi-site or specialty/referral
• A strong understanding of both the medical and business sides of a veterinary hospital
• Experience leading teams through supervisors or team leads
• Solid scheduling and HR fundamentals
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to stay calm and fair in difficult situations
• Ability to travel regularly within Florida and occasionally to Maryland

Nice to have: CVPM certification, experience opening a new location, or ophthalmology/specialty background

Our Offer

At Elite Veterinary Specialists, we believe our team members are our greatest asset. We offer a supportive, rewarding work environment with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary plus annual bonus
• Travel reimbursement
• Comprehensive health insurance benefits
• 401(k) plan with match
• Complimentary license renewal and an annual continuing education allowance
• Annual uniform allowance
• Generous paid time off
• Work-life balance with paid holidays and Sundays off
• Team-building events
• Employee pet benefits
• A clear path to a Director of Operations role as we expand

Ready to Lead Something Special?

Join Elite Veterinary Specialists and become a key leader on a team where your contributions are valued and exceptional patient care is at the heart of everything we do. Apply today and help us build a future where every pet, owner, and team member feels valued and supported.

We're growing fast. Come grow with us!

Elite Veterinary Specialists is an equal opportunity employer.