Senior Director, Veterinary Services (28762)

Summary:

The Senior Director, Veterinary Services is a dual leadership role that combines primary responsibility for veterinary care, clinical case management, and cross-functional leadership at the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) with meaningful responsibility for shelter medicine consultation, mentorship, and training through Shelter Medicine Services.

Who We Are

The ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC), located in Weaverville, NC, is dedicated to the rehabilitation and study of dogs with significant fear, anxiety, and under-socialization, including dogs from cruelty, puppy mill, hoarding, and other challenging circumstances. The BRC team works collaboratively to improve dogs' quality of life and prepare them for adoption through intensive, structured behavioral interventions and integrated veterinary, behavioral, and operational care.

The Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) team improves the health and welfare of animals in shelters and communities by strategically applying expertise internally at the ASPCA and externally with key stakeholders. SMS supports the animal welfare field through consultation, training, educational resources, applied research, and strategic partnerships.

What You'll Do

Approximately 70% of the role focuses on the BRC's population of dogs undergoing behavior modification and rehabilitation, and approximately 30% focuses on applying shelter medicine expertise externally through consultation, training, and mentorship. The Senior Director, Veterinary Services' primary focus is overseeing veterinary care for dogs at the BRC, ensuring that individual medical needs and population health considerations are integrated with behavioral rehabilitation goals. They oversee two Managers, Veterinary Services who support the daily medical care for dogs at the BRC. They partner closely with behavior and operations leaders to make thoughtful, transparent, and humane decisions that support dogs' physical and behavioral well-being. The Senior Director also plays a key role in providing shelter medicine expertise to external animal welfare organizations through consultation and training of shelter and veterinary professionals.

To succeed in this role, the Senior Director must bring breadth and depth of shelter medicine clinical expertise in individual and population-level practice, strong interest and skill in animal behavior and low-stress handling, and the ability to collaborate across veterinary, behavior, operations, and shelter medicine teams. Success also requires excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, mentoring, and critical thinking skills, along with enthusiasm for training shelter professionals and supporting practical implementation of high-quality animal care.

The Senior Director, Veterinary Services is in a matrixed reporting structure. This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President (SVP), Veterinary Medicine and also reports to the Vice President, BRC in a dotted line link. This position has two direct reports. Where and When You'll Work

This is an in-person position and reports to the Behavior Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville, NC The role also requires the ability and willingness to travel up to 15% for shelter medicine consultation, training, deployments, and other ASPCA programmatic needs. Working hours are generally Monday through Friday but vary due to events, travel, or programmatic needs. The Senior Director must have flexibility to sometimes work evenings, weekends, and holidays when needed. Schedules are subject to change as needed by the ASPCA.

What You'll Get

Compensation Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future. The target hiring range for this role is $150,000 - $158,000 annually for a Veterinarian who is not board-certified in Shelter Medicine Practice The target hiring range for this role is $156,000 - $164,000 annually for a Veterinarian board-certified in Shelter Medicine Practice Benefits At the ASPCA, you don't have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: Affordable health coverage,

including medical, employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage Flexible time off

that includes vacation time, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company paid holidays that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings,

including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year Robust professional development opportunities,

including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field and so much more

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance. They include, but are not limited to:

BRC Leadership and Cross-Functional Partnership Serve as a key member of the BRC leadership team, sharing accountability for the effectiveness and success of the BRC as a whole, and collaborating with behavior and operations leaders to support integrated care that considers dogs' physical and behavioral well-being, quality of life, and readiness for adoption

Bring veterinary expertise to leadership decisions while considering behavioral, operational, resource, and broader organizational implications

Participate constructively in collective decision-making, working with colleagues to promote timely, consistent decisions, and support those decisions once made

Communicate directly, proactively, and transparently with leadership colleagues about information and developments affecting their teams or the broader BRC

Serve as a champion in times of change management and proactively assist in identifying ways to improve people, policies, and veterinary protocols

BRC Veterinary Program Leadership, Clinical Case Management, and Population Health Oversee veterinary assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical case management for dogs in the BRC's care, integrating medical care with behavioral rehabilitation goals

Provide timely, high-quality, practical, compassionate, and cost-efficient veterinary care, including timely recognition of conditions requiring emergency or specialty care, in accordance with ASPCA protocols, shelter medicine principles, and best practices

Oversee the review of medical records for canine candidates for the BRC behavior modification program and liaise with transferring organizations' veterinary teams to ensure dogs meet medical inclusion criteria before transport

Conduct daily rounds, collecting medical observations to inform treatment plans, the day's priorities, and sharing observations and updates across teams in the appropriate meetings

Ensure individual patients and the population are assessed daily and that treatment, intervention, quarantine, isolation, and PPE recommendations are implemented in a timely manner

Oversee the use of psychotropic medications according to standard treatment protocols and consult with veterinary behaviorists as needed

Complete certificates of veterinary inspection, as appropriate, for transfer of animals between facilities and/or placement of animals released from care

Perform humane euthanasia when appropriate, working closely with behavior and operations colleagues to ensure appropriate decision-making and compassionate, low-stress procedures

Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and clients by using trauma-informed communication and low-stress handling techniques. Communicate program status changes and outcome decisions to the BRC team with compassion, clarity, and transparency

Maintain regular communication and active partnership with veterinary colleagues across ASPCA programs and with the Senior Vice President of Veterinary Medicine to align protocols, trainings, and recommendations.

Ensure relevant licensure, continuing education, controlled-substance compliance, occupational safety practices, and all applicable medical and legal documentation

Shelter Medicine Consultation, Mentorship, and Training Provide shelter medicine expertise to external sheltering organizations, with emphasis on practical application of individual and population health principles

Coach and trouble-shoot the development, implementation, and continued refinement of key shelter medicine practices (e.g. capacity for care, daily rounds, and pathway planning)

Model continual commitment to improving animal care to advance the principle that animals have positive welfare in animal shelters and communities

Lead remote and onsite shelter consultations, including assessment of shelter health, operations, clinical management, and implementation of recommendations

Mentor shelter medicine residents, veterinarians, and shelter professionals through consultative work, training, and collaborative problem solving

Develop and help implement efficient, effective protocols for high-quality, humane, and cost-efficient veterinary care in shelter and community contexts

Develop and deliver presentations, written materials, training content, and educational resources on shelter medicine and community animal health

Generate and use shelter-level data and program information to support recommendations, reporting, decision-making, and evaluation of shelter medicine programming

Contribute to strategic veterinary medical, educational, and animal welfare efforts that advance shelter medicine and high-quality care for sheltered and at-risk animals.

Serve in strategic roles in veterinary medical, educational, and animal welfare organizations on a regional or national level to promote shelter medicine and community animal health

Work with the SVP, Veterinary Medicine, and VP, Shelter Medicine Services and Veterinary Training Programs to advise and educate on issues pertaining to shelter medicine, animal health, and animal welfare

Maintain proactive communication with the SVP, Veterinary Medicine as to any critical situations or issues that may arise in work with internal and external stakeholders

Staff Management Manage a team of 2 Managers, Veterinary Services at the BRC to succeed in their role by communicating clear expectations, providing opportunities for learning & development, and building positive and trusting relationships

Supervise, motivate, and mentor staff through regular 1:1s, team meetings, performance evaluations, check-ins, and ongoing coaching conversations

Set, monitor, and achieve individual and team goals aligned with ASPCA Core Values, behavioral competencies, and strategic priorities; track performance and address challenges as needed

Foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive team culture built on mutual respect, accountability, flexibility, communication, and continuous feedback

Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for BRC staff, identifying current and future development opportunities

Participate in strategic planning, cross-departmental initiatives, and departmental activities that advance team and organizational goals

Schedule and facilitate meetings, both in person and remote, to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and engagement

Qualifications:

High level of knowledge and experience in shelter medicine practice and companion animal population health required

Strong organizational, analytical, writing, and presentation skills: able to identify key metrics, communicate persuasively to stakeholders, translate information into resources that inform decision making, and present materials to others

Skillful and diplomatic communicator, possessing confidence and composure required to effectively communicate with staff and management at a variety of levels

Innovative, creative and solution-minded problem-solver with a positive, proactive attitude in the face of complex challenges

Demonstrated ability to influence and lead teams, even without formal authority, by demonstrating flexibility, resiliency, and commitment

Proven coach and mentor who inspires, guides, and supports other individuals to successfully reach complex, long-term goals

Strong sense of integrity: able to maintain high professional standards while innovating and adjusting recommendations and approaches to meet programmatic needs in a way that is productive and well-received by stakeholders

Must be able to identify opportunities and assist in the development of new projects and partnerships

Able to work well under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and shift priorities based on animal and organizational needs

Ability to exemplify ASPCA's core values and behavioral competencies

Education and Experience:

Current veterinary license in one or more states required; valid NC veterinarian license or obtaining one within 60 days required.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college required

Minimum 5 years of clinical veterinary experience required

Minimum 3 years of robust shelter medicine experience, including working directly in or closely with a variety of sheltering organizations on both individual animal and population level practice required

Board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice preferred; if not currently certified, eligible and invested in becoming board-certified in Shelter Medicine

Prior leadership experience required, including but not limited to staff management, mentoring, coaching, and/or training

Experience providing coaching, mentorship and training in the shelter medicine field preferred

Fear Free Shelter and Fear Free Veterinary certification required within 60 days of hire

Language: English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

DVM: Veterinary Medicine (Required)

Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community:

If you are interested in joining our team but don't feel this position fits your experience or interests, please check out our other open opportunities or consider joining our Talent Community. About Us: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers. The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA's vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering. Our EEO Policy: The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA's standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA's People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). Applicant Notices Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Candidates residing in AZ, CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, ND, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), TN, and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.