Chief Veterinary Officer

Veterinary United; Michigan; On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterinary United in southeastern Michigan is seeking a Chief Veterinary Officer to lead our network of 22 hospitals. You will set medical standards, mentor veterinarians, and ensure the highest quality care across clinics in a collaborative, growth‑driven environment.

The role requires strategic planning, policy development, and cross‑department collaboration to align clinical excellence with business goals.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine from an accredited institution.
• Active Veterinary License must be current and in good standing.
• Board certification in a specialty area preferred.
• Advanced degrees (MBA, MPH, or PhD) can be beneficial for understanding business and research aspects.

Responsibilities

• Define Veterinary United’s medical mission and best practices.
• Mentor and coach veterinarians; collaborate with recruitment efforts.
• Liaise with professional liability carriers and strategic partners.
• Lead policy development, strategic planning, and open communication with clinic leadership.
• Oversee multi-department collaboration to improve patient care and outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Active Veterinary License

Board Certification (preferred)

MBA/MPH/PhD beneficial

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Chief Veterinary Officer

Job Description

Join Our Team as Chief Veterinary Officer

At Veterinary United, every clinic and team member has a voice. We are an independent, DVM-owned, family-based organization located in southeastern Michigan with private ownership since 1999. With 22 hospitals (and growing), we form strategic partnerships with like-minded practices emphasizing high-quality medicine and a culture that fosters growth and collaboration. Our vision is to make an impact as changemakers in the world of veterinary medicine.

We celebrate what makes each practice special and unique to their community while fostering a culture of trust and support. Leadership is dedicated to our team members, ensuring our hospitals run to their fullest potential. With a flexible work environment that supports individualized care, new technology, advanced medical services, and strategy, the possibilities for evolution are endless!

Here’s where you come in!

As Chief Veterinary Officer at Veterinary United, you will lead our clinics and teams through our next phase of growth. This dynamic, leadership-driven role focuses on achieving medical excellence and standardization, fostering clinical support and engagement, building university and student relations, and more. You’ll collaborate with emerging and experienced veterinarians to ensure our teams deliver the best possible care in a creative, safe, and fun environment.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) will play a pivotal role in cultivating a collaborative and trusting environment. As a subject matter expert, you will focus on key areas such as defining Veterinary United’s (VU) medical mission, establishing best medical practices and policies, mentoring and coaching veterinarians, collaborating with recruitment efforts, and serving as a liaison with our professional liability carriers and strategic partners.

Cast Vision and Inspire!

Lead the way in advancing veterinary medicine as a catalyst for positive change. Collaborate with Veterinary United’s executive team to develop policies emphasizing collaboration and communication. Maintain open communication with clinic leadership and veterinary teams, leveraging your expertise to support equipment needs and service requests. Provide guidance on medical cases, facilitate regular team meetings, and conduct individual check‑ins. Your role will involve strategic planning, site visits, and clinical collaboration to ensure our teams deliver the highest quality care.

Collaborate and Empower!
This role will serve as a vital link between departments such as Human Resources, Finance, Inventory, and Operations to enhance the experience for our patients, clients, and teams. You will engage in weekly discussions with C-level executives, cultivate positive relationships with these departments, and develop strategies that align with the organization’s love for both animals and humans. A passion for coaching, the ability to collaborate, and a penchant for innovation are key. You will also oversee the monthly review of doctor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide feedback, as well as manage the 12-week coaching plans for doctors, demonstrating effective multi-department collaboration.

Innovate and Lead!
At Veterinary United, we provide the highest-quality medicine in every community we steward. We invite you to bring your innovative talents to the table as we strengthen our commitment to exotic animal medicine, expand our reach into new markets with full-service mobile care, enhance our surgical offerings, and introduce an all-new overnight emergency service. As we grow, your role will be crucial in assessing the medical quality of new acquisitions while ensuring that our existing practices uphold our high standards of excellence.

Qualifications

• Education/Licensing
  1. Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent from an accredited institution.
  2. Active Veterinary License must be current and in good standing.
  3. Board certification in a specialty area preferred.
  4. Advanced degrees (MBA, MPH, or PhD) can be beneficial for understanding business and research aspects.
• Experience
  1. Relevant clinical experience in veterinary medicine
  2. Prior leadership experience in the veterinary field
  3. Knowledge of regulatory compliance and quality assurance in veterinary practices

Skills

• Leadership a