Job Type

Full-time

Description

Overview 

The Louisiana SPCA (LASPCA) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Director of Veterinary Services to lead our veterinary medical programs, encompassing community medicine, high-quality/high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN), and shelter medical care across our New Orleans and Belle Chasse campuses. This position is responsible for shaping and sustaining a culture of compassionate, equitable, and accessible care for companion animals and the communities that support them. Our fee-for service model include primary and preventative care with plans to expand scope to an urgent care, high-quality/high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) services. Servicing the community this role supports community vaccine clinics, and herd health. 

The ideal candidate is someone who fosters trust, demonstrates a sense of urgency, consistently meets quality standards, and makes decisions in support of organizational goals. They are a collaborative leader with a growth mindset, strong clinical experience, and a passion for increasing access to veterinary care for underserved populations. This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is a part of the Senior Leadership team and plays a vital role in organizational strategy, service delivery, and veterinary team development. The Director of Veterinary services is responsible for implementing and maximizing the impact of the clinic program, providing mentorship to the veterinarians and managers, creating a unified set of practices, cultivating a culture of learning, and promoting a positive and healthy environment for team members, animals, and community members that we serve.  

At the Louisiana SPCA, you’ll do more than lead a veterinary team—you’ll help create a more compassionate and equitable future for pets and people. Join us in redefining access to veterinary care and shelter medicine in Louisiana. 

Key Roles & Responsibilities 

1. Leadership, Management, and Accountability (LMA) 

• Leads and manages the veterinary team in delivering accessible, high-quality community and shelter medicine and surgery. 
• Promotes a compassionate and inclusive work culture that emphasizes wellness, collaboration, and accountability. 
• Serves on the LASPCA leadership team, integrating veterinary services with other departments. 
• Support direct reports and their growth, including performance evaluations, coaching, and professional development. 
• Represent the veterinary team in organizational strategy discussions and leadership initiatives. 
• Develops and aligns KPIs, tracks performance, and fosters a culture of feedback and continuous improvement. 

2. Operational Excellence and Efficiency 

• Oversee the delivery of high-quality veterinary services in the community clinic, HQHV spay/neuter programs, and shelter clinics. 
• Implement and monitor medical protocols, SOPs, and performance metrics to ensure service quality and regulatory compliance. 
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records and ensure DEA and state licensing compliance. 
• Serve as a subject matter expert in shelter medicine and incremental care approaches. 
• Provide ongoing training for LASPCA staff, interns, and externs to elevate medical standards and veterinary education. 
• Supports wellbeing initiatives for veterinary staff and prepares teams for emergency or disaster response and collaborate with team members on contingency planning and emergency preparedness. 
• Guides the departmental managers in developing contingency plans for unexpected disruptions to the planned clinic services.   
• Assists in resolving medical concerns and client complaints with professionalism and timeliness. 
• Proactively shares the clinic’s opportunities and challenges with LASPCA’s Leadership as well as proposes a variety of ways to optimize solutions.   

3. Financial Performance 

• Partner with finance and operations teams to develop, strategize and manage annual clinic budgets. 
• Support responsible purchasing and inventory systems that meet both medical needs and fiscal targets. 
• Monitor KPIs to assess cost efficiency and ensure financial decisions balance medical necessity with financial sustainability. 
• Align veterinary services with fundraising and grant objectives to ensure sustainability and alignment with clinic goals. 
• Forecasts and collaborates with finance, fundraising and marketing to align resources for continued service delivery and operational growth. 
• Participate in pricing strategy, resource utilization planning, and financial reporting. 
• Supports inventory management, DEA compliance, and cost-efficiency initiatives. 

4. Community Engagement and Partnership 

• Represent LASPCA in the veterinary and animal welfare communities, cultivating and managing relationships with local and national partners, rescue partners, vendors and veterinary schools. 
• Support community education efforts, vaccine clinics, and public-facing events. 
• Ensure veterinary care is culturally competent and accessible, particularly to underserved communities. 
• Engage with clients and partners compassionately, addressing medical concerns and feedback effectively. 
• Promote LASPCA’s mission to external audiences through storytelling and professional advocacy. 

5. Clinic Growth Strategy 

• Drive the strategy for clinic expansion and service development based on community needs and organizational capacity. 
• Innovate and refine medical services to close care gaps and reach more animals in need. 
• Use data insights, internal and external feedback to inform future service offerings and partnerships. 
• Work cross-functionally with marketing and development to share the clinic’s impact and success. 
• Champion continuous improvement and foster a learning environment that encourages creative problem-solving. 
• Partners with HR to recruit veterinarians, support staff and actively supports the orientation and onboarding of staff new to the industry.   

Requirements

Qualifications 

• Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in companion animal or shelter medicine. 
• At least 5 years in a leadership role managing veterinary teams or clinical operations. 
• Willingness to work occasional weekends or evenings and travel 
• Strong interest in data analytics, business operations, and expanding access to care.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment substance screening & physical.
• Candidates must successfully pass a drug screening which includes testing for marijuana. A valid medical marijuana card does not exempt a candidate from this requirement, and a positive test result will disqualify the candidate from the hiring process.  
• Bilingual skills are a plus. 

Compensation 

$80,000-$110,000 annually 

Benefits 

Comprehensive Package Includes: 

• Employer-partial paid medical, short-term disability, and life insurance. 
• 168 hours of PTO plus 11 paid holidays annually. 
• 401(k) plan with up to 3% employer match. 
• $5,000 sign-on bonus after 90 days. 
• Relocation reimbursement up to $1,500. 
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligible employer. 
• Hill’s Science Diet employee discount (including prescription diets). 

Physical & Work Requirements 

• Able to lift 50+ lbs and perform physically demanding activities such as standing, bending, or restraining animals. 
• Must be comfortable working with industrial cleaners and in environments with animal allergens, high noise levels, and the potential for animal bites or scratches.