Summary:

Are you a skilled, strong team leader who thrives in a fast-paced, complex work environment? Do you love to collaborate with other leaders and engage in creative troubleshooting? Are you as passionate about cultivating a healthy team culture as you are about helping at-risk animals? If so, the role of Senior Director of Veterinary Services at the ASPCA’s Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) might be right for you!

The Senior Director of Veterinary Services supervises the ten-member Medical Branch in delivering high-quality integrated care, in partnership with colleagues in the Behavior and Operations Branches. As both a player and a coach, this role supports a high-functioning team while working as an R&R Center veterinarian as needed, performing initial evaluations, developing treatment plans, communicating with key stakeholders, and performing surgery. The Senior Director of Veterinary Services also serves as a critical member of the R&R Center leadership team, working alongside fellow leaders to shape the protocols that guide the Center’s work and the team’s culture.

This position is perfect for a leader who embraces the power of teamwork to achieve shared goals. The ideal candidate has a solid understanding of shelter medicine principles, excellent clinical skills, experience working with legal cases, exemplary people management and team leadership skills, and superior interpersonal skills.

Recovery & Rehabilitation Center Overview & Upcoming Launch

The R&R Center, currently under construction in Pawling, NY, will be a unique program dedicated to providing integrated sheltering, behavioral, and veterinary care for canine victims of cruelty rescued through the ASPCA’s partnership with the NYPD. The R&R Center team will work closely with ASPCA teams in New York City, including the Animal Recovery Center (ARC), the Animal Hospital (AAH), the Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichment (CARE), and the Adoption Center.

Alongside the R&R Center Vice President, the Senior Director of Operations, and the Senior Director of Animal Behavior, the Senior Director of Veterinary Services will lead R&R Center program development and hiring in preparation for launch in mid-2025. When the facility opens, this group of leaders will provide ongoing supervision and support for a unified integrated care team, establishing a collaborative team culture, prioritizing dogs’ physical and psychological needs equally, continually honing procedures and processes to ensure efficient operations, guiding decisions about animal treatment and outcomes, and collaborating with other ASPCA team leaders.

The target start date for this position will be October 16, 2024. The role will begin remotely and report to the R&R Center in Pawling, NY in 2025.

Responsibilities:

Development Phase: The following responsibilities apply to the R&R Center’s development phase, which includes program development, staff hiring and onboarding, and construction completion. This phase will end after program launch, when the team is fully staffed at the end of 2025.

Responsibilities during the development phase include but are not limited to:

Program Development (50%)

• Participate in the R&R program development and lead all aspects of Medical Branch preparation; collaborate with other R&R Center leadership to build team-wide structure and systems
• Rapidly gain familiarity with ASPCA org-wide goals and strategies; learn about the work of Rehabilitation Services teams, as well as teams in New York City who will closely partner with the R&R Center; build new, collaborative relationships with colleagues and streamline systems where work intersects
• Led by the VP, work with other Senior Directors to develop a comprehensive R&R Center SOP package
• Alongside other R&R leadership team members, develop strong relationships with community stakeholders
• With the VP, other Senior Directors and the Program Development Core Team, create and execute a program launch plan, ensuring that staff, program structure and equipment are all in place for the start of operations

Team Hiring and Onboarding (40%)

• Working with the Program Development Core Team, the R&R VP and other Senior Directors, develop a robust onboarding package for all new hires
• Hire and onboard direct reports and oversee the hiring and onboarding of all Medical Branch team members
• Work with other R&R leads to develop a clear vision for team culture and communication, grounded in an integrative care model and aligned with ASPCA Core Values
• As the R&R Center team grows, ensure the development of a healthy, cohesive culture

R&R Center Facility Preparation Support (10%)

• Serve as a program expert, collaborating with internal partners to help prepare the R&R Center facility for launch
• Attend meetings with internal partners and external vendors, bring program-specific input to conversations as needed to inform decisions
• Work with internal partners and external vendors to ensure that all supplies, including medical equipment, have been purchased, delivered and installed on time for launch
• As part of a detailed launch plan, ensure that staff become familiar with their new building and that all staff members receive training on equipment/tools they’ll use during daily operations

Implementation Phase: The following responsibilities apply to the R&R Center’s implementation phase, which will begin in late 2025.

Responsibilities during the Implementation Phase include but are not limited to:

Oversight of Medical Operations and Delivery of Veterinary Care (45%)

• Oversee daily medical care of animals housed in the R&R Center and in foster care, utilizing shelter medicine guidelines, principles, and best practices to ensure quality care and to facilitate the most efficient pathways to placement or other outcomes
• Collaborate with Shelter Medicine Services to develop and implement efficient and effective protocols for high-quality, practical, and cost-efficient veterinary care in accordance with shelter medicine principles and best practices
• Collaborate with colleagues in NYC programs for continuity of care and, when necessary, utilize consultations with outside veterinary specialists to ensure appropriate care is provided. Maintain regular communication with relevant staff regarding any hospitalized animals and those transitioning to/from the R&R Center
• Ensure that all Medical Branch members have mastered the skills to handle in a low-stress manner and that they implement these handling techniques consistently in all their interactions with animals
• Provide timely, high quality veterinary care, including skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients, in accordance with ASPCA protocols and shelter medicine principles and best practices
• Assist in the collection of evidence and documentation of examinations of victims of animal cruelty, including performance of clinical forensic exams and gross necropsies. Utilize appropriate chain of custody, evidence transfer, and disposition of forensic evidence. Complete reports for law enforcement, and testify as an expert witness, as needed
• Conduct daily medical rounds of all animals in the shelter each day and regularly participate in shelter daily rounds alongside representatives from Behavior and Operations branches; review current treatment schedules, medical condition boards, and rechecks to ensure timely delivery of care and open communication
• Perform humane euthanasia following disposition decisions and/or in the event of urgent medical need
• Complete certificates of veterinary inspection, as appropriate, for transfer of animals between facilities and/or placement of animals released from care
• Ensure consistency and continuity of care provided by staff; teach and mentor staff on relevant SOPs and practices
• Stay abreast of shelter medicine practices and trends and ensure their consistent application in the Medical Branch’s work; Obtain relevant continuing education as required by the ASPCA and the state licensing board
• Maintain DEA licensure and oversee use of controlled substances for R&R Center operations
• Other duties as assigned by the VP or other leadership

Team Leadership (30%)

• Serve as part of a unified leadership team, modeling teamwork, an integrated care philosophy and mutual respect
• Collaborate with other members of the leadership team to make decisions that affect the whole team; proactively seek opportunities for team/program growth and serve as a champion for change management
• Partner with other R&R Center experts to facilitate and participate in pathway planning aligned with an integrated care model, ensuring appropriate, timely treatment and outcome decisions that take animals’ physical and psychological needs, as well as current available resources, into account
• Along with fellow leads, coordinate with other teams, including the Behavioral Sciences Team (BST), Shelter Medicine Services (SMS), Legal Advocacy and Investigations (LAI), Veterinary Forensics, ARC & CARE, AAH and the Adoption Center to ensure efficient operations and animal flow among teams, timely and comprehensive information sharing, and decision-making informed by all relevant considerations (i.e., medical, operational, behavioral, and legal statuses)
• Along with other R&R Center leadership, regularly review and update SOPs, leveraging input from staff to make program improvements; ensure that changes are clearly communicated to the team
• Inspire all team members to do their part in maintaining and improving animal health
• Welcome and answer staff and volunteer questions about medical care and decisions; compassionately explain humane euthanasia decisions when needed
• Be a regular presence “on the floor” to lend a hand, troubleshoot challenges, cultivate strong relationships, and maintain a comprehensive understanding of R&R Center operations
• Ensure that the R&R Center staff understand and support their team’s role in achieving ASPCA goals; help staff feel connected to the larger, org-wide ASPCA team and to the animal welfare field
• Successfully lead the team through adversity common in animal welfare (coping with humane euthanasia decisions, physically and psychologically demanding work, etc.)
• Collaborate and connect regularly with other ASPCA department and shelter medicine leaders, prioritizing alignment and strong relationships across the organization
• Provide donor tours and interviews as needed

People Management (25%)

• Supervise and manage four direct reports; conduct regular one-on-one check-ins, career counseling sessions, feedback sessions, and periodic skip-level meetings
• Ensure that all R&R Center Medical Branch supervisors use sound management practices and ASPCA developmental tools; conduct yearly reviews of direct reports to measure progress and encourage growth
• Provide coaching for direct reports to guide them through people management challenges
• Ensure that direct reports and staff show respect and consideration for all areas of expertise, especially when priorities and perspectives don’t align
• Model a healthy work/life balance for team members; ensure that direct reports do the same
• Work closely with direct reports to clearly articulate performance and workplace behavior expectations for staff; ensure that staff are held accountable for meeting expectations and are supported in doing so through timely, productive feedback
• Use active listening to understand employee concerns, encouraging and supporting employees to problem solve and create viable solutions
• Partner with the ASPCA’s Talent Acquisition team to hire and onboard well-qualified, dedicated new R&R Center staff members to fill open positions
• Employ a well-designed onboarding process that provides each new R&R Center team member with a thorough introduction to the R&R Center and ASPCA work, mission, systems and Core Values

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Qualifications:

• Exceptional leadership skills: considers multiple variables and stakeholders when making decisions; can inspire a team, lead a team through challenges, and keep a team focused on the big picture and mission beyond their daily work
• Deep veterinary medical knowledge, including a strong foundation in shelter medicine principles and best practices
• Excellent clinical skills, including low-stress handling and the efficient diagnosis and treatment of dogs for a variety of medical conditions
• Sound clinical judgement and resiliency; able to work closely with and make frequent treatment/outcome decisions about animals who are medically and/or behaviorally compromised
• Proven history of building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with others, including peers, direct reports, and leaders/supervisors
• Highly effective people- and team-management abilities; can artfully flex management style to best support diverse individuals
• Highly competent coach: can effectively introduce new procedures and protocols, give feedback, and guide people managers
• Adept at making and explaining humane euthanasia recommendations and performing euthanasia procedures; able to clearly and compassionately answer questions regarding euthanasia decisions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; shares information with sensitivity and clarity; can represent the team and the organization with confidence and professionalism
• Possesses critical thinking skills and the ability to switch between multiple tasks swiftly and competently; able to quickly and calmly adjust focus and shift priorities based on animal, team, and organizational needs
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment; relishes a challenge
• Ability to work on a team as well as independently; ability to lead and delegate, as well as follow instructions and collaborate
• Excellent time-management skills
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail
• Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals, and others, especially in stressful situations
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially aggressive animals in stressful conditions
• Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and able to wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask; job responsibilities may entail exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood, exposure to sharp objects, working in noisy environments and working in areas with uneven, wet and slippery surfaces
• Fluent in Internet usage and in the use of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint; experience using Salesforce or a comparable database is a plus
• Able and willing to work flexible hours based on business needs
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically, up to 5% of the time
• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history

Education and Work Experience: 

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of New York; highly competitive candidates eligible for but not currently licensed in New York will be considered
• Residency training and/or board certification in shelter medicine strongly preferred
• Minimum of 5 years’ small animal veterinary experience required
• Minimum of 3 years’ shelter medicine experience required, including working directly in or closely with a variety of sheltering organizations on both individual animal and population level concerns
• Experience in the development and implementation of new shelter medicine programs strongly preferred
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing a team required, preferably in an animal-related field; minimum of 2 years’ experience managing a team of veterinary staff including veterinarians required

• Experience working with legal cases preferred; experience working with animal victims of cruelty and neglect preferred

• Fear Free® Veterinary Program and Fear Free® Shelter certification required or completed within six months of hire
• USDA accredited or obtained within 6 months of employment

Compensation and Benefits:

The applicable target hiring range for this remote role is based on where the employee works, which for remote roles is the employee’s primary location of residence, and its respective cost of labor. We have organized the U.S. varying costs of labor index into three geographic zones. As a point of reference, below, we have included our ASPCA locations by geographic zone to illustrate what the hiring range would be in each of the following areas. 

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 ranges for this role are set forth below and may be modified in the future.  

• Zone 1 (For example, Asheville, NC; Champaign, IL; Columbus, OH; Gainesville, FL; Miami, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; Overland, KS; Union, MO; Weaverville, NC): $$164,000 - $176,000
• Zone 2 (For example, Washington D.C.; Los Angeles, CA): $ 180,000- $192,000
• Zone 3 (For example, New York, NY): $198,000 - $210,000

For remote positions, you can view which zone applies to you based on your location. For questions regarding other locations not found on the list, please send an email to [email protected] for more information.    

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

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Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

  

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Education and Work Experience: