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Chief Veterinary Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Chief Veterinary Officer information

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$41.5K

$151.2K

$269.5K

How much do chief veterinary officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief veterinary officer in the United States is $151,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief veterinary officer?

A Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing veterinary policies, animal health programs, and regulatory compliance within an organization or government agency. They provide expertise on disease control, animal welfare, and public health issues related to livestock, pets, and wildlife. CVOs also collaborate with stakeholders, including government bodies, research institutions, and industry leaders, to ensure the implementation of best practices in veterinary care. Their role is critical in managing disease outbreaks, food safety, and biosecurity risks at national or organizational levels.

What are the typical responsibilities and daily challenges faced by a chief veterinary officer?

As a Chief Veterinary Officer, your primary responsibilities include overseeing clinical standards, developing policies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mentoring veterinary staff. You may also be involved in strategic decision-making, evaluating animal care protocols, and representing the organization to regulatory bodies and industry partners. A common challenge in this role is balancing administrative duties with maintaining high-quality veterinary care, all while keeping your team motivated and aligned with organizational goals. Collaboration with other departments, such as operations and research, is frequent, making strong leadership and communication key to your success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the chief veterinary officer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Veterinary Officer, you need extensive veterinary medical knowledge, leadership experience, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree with appropriate licensure. Familiarity with electronic medical record systems, regulatory compliance tools, and accreditation processes is often required. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and manage multidisciplinary teams are highly valued soft skills. These competencies are essential for ensuring high standards of animal care, organizational compliance, and effective team leadership within veterinary organizations.

More about Chief Veterinary Officer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Veterinary Officer jobs? The most popular types of Chief Veterinary Officer jobs are:
What states have the most Chief Veterinary Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Chief Veterinary Officer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Chief Veterinary Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,203 per year, or $72.7 per hour.

Chief Veterinary Officer

Veterinary United

Clinton Township, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Veterinary United rating

5.1

Company rating: 5.1 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 52 rated veterinary


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.

Apply today to make a difference in the lives of our clients, their animal companions, and our team!

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 and management:
    1. Demonstrate strong leadership skills to effectively manage and inspire a team of veterinary professionals across multiple locations.
    2. Develop and implement strategic plans for the veterinary department to ensure operational efficiency and growth.
    3. Exhibit excellent decision-making skills, considering both clinical and business aspects, to drive the department forward.
    4. Possess experience in implementing and optimizing practice management software and other veterinary tools to streamline operations.
    5. Embrace a growth mindset, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the team.
  • Clinical Knowledge:
    1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of veterinary medicine, including diagnostics, treatments, and preventive care, to ensure high-quality patient care.
    2. Ability to oversee complex cases and provide expert clinical guidance to veterinary teams.
    3. Proficient in emerging veterinary technologies and practices, staying ahead of advancements to enhance clinical outcomes.
  • Business Acumen:
    1. Possess a strong understanding of financial management, including budgeting and resource allocation, to ensure efficient clinic operations.
    2. Ability to analyze market trends and identify growth opportunities, driving innovative strategies.
    3. Experience with scaling operations and managing change in a growing organization, fostering adaptability and resilience.
    4. Proven track record of integrating new treatments, technology, and practice models, such as overnight ER services and mobile expansion, to enhance clinic offerings.
  • Communication:
    1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with internal teams, and strategic partners.
    2. Strong interpersonal skills enabling the building of positive relationships with clients, employees, and the community.
    3. Proven ability in project management, adapting easily to various communication platforms and software for efficient collaboration.
  • Regulatory Knowledge:
    1. Familiarity with veterinary laws and regulations at local, state, and federal levels, ensuring compliance and adherence to industry standards and best practices.

Benefits

  • Signing Bonus & Relocation Options
  • A full array of medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, CE allowance, and licensure reimbursements
  • 401k with company match
  • PTO
  • Flexible Schedule
  • AVMA PLIT Coverage
  • Discounts on Medical, Surgical, Daycare & Boarding services

Ready to lead? Join Veterinary United and help shape the future of veterinary medicine. Inspire, empower, and lead our teams to new heights.
Apply today to become the change you wish to see in the world of veterinary care!


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