Veterinary Practice Director

Kansas City Pet Project•Kansas City, KS

13h•$65,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Veterinary Practice Manager (VPM) is responsible for the daily operational leadership of KC Pet Project’s shelter veterinary clinic. This role ensures the clinic functions efficiently, safely, and compassionately in a high-volume, high-impact animal welfare environment serving thousands of animals annually. The VPM partners closely with veterinary leadership to manage people, systems, and resources—removing operational and administrative barriers so veterinarians and medical teams can focus on lifesaving care. Success in this role requires strong leadership, adaptability, and a deep understanding of shelter medicine realities, including population management, disease control, and staff sustainability.

Requirements

Minimum of 3–5 years of veterinary clinic or shelter operations experience, including people management
Demonstrated success leading teams in fast-paced, high-volume environments
Strong understanding of veterinary clinic workflows and medical terminology
Excellent organizational, communication, and conflict-resolution skills
Proficiency with practice management systems, scheduling tools, and basic reporting
Demonstrated ability to manage inventory and manage to a budget
Ability to remain calm, decisive, and solution-focused in high-pressure situations
Proficient in safely handling animals

Nice To Haves

Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT/CVT)
Experience in shelter medicine, municipal shelters, or HQHVSN programs
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams within a nonprofit or public-facing organization

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operations of shelter veterinary clinic supporting exams, surgeries, treatments, population health, and emergency care
Ensure efficient patient flow across departments while maintaining medical quality and animal welfare standards
Develop, implement, and maintain clinic workflows and SOPs aligned with shelter medicine best practices and KC Pet Project protocols
Monitor daily capacity and adjust staffing, scheduling, and workflows in response to shelter population needs
Ensure compliance with Department of Agriculture, DEA, state veterinary regulations, and internal safety standards
Directly supervise veterinary support staff, including RVTs, veterinary assistants, and clinic support personnel
Partner with the Chief of Veterinary Medicine on veterinarian scheduling, onboarding, and operational support
Partner with the Chief of Veterinary Medicine on veterinary student externship program
Lead hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, and corrective action processes
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, psychological safety, and mission alignment
Proactively address burnout risks in a demanding shelter environment through staffing balance and workflow improvements
Develop and manage clinic staffing schedules to support 7-day operations and fluctuating intake demands
Ensure adequate coverage for surgeries, exams, treatments, emergencies, and special initiatives
Support cross-training to improve flexibility and continuity of care
Manage clinic inventory, purchasing, and vendor relationships to support cost-effective, uninterrupted operations
Collaborate with veterinary and shelter leadership on clinic budgeting and expense tracking
Monitor and report key performance indicators such as surgery volume, turnaround time, supply utilization, and staffing efficiency
Support grant reporting, audits, and data collection related to medical operations
Serve as a primary liaison between the Veterinary Clinic and Animal Care, Intake, Behavior, Foster, Adoption, and Facilities
Support population management strategies that balance animal welfare, staff capacity, and organizational outcomes
Participate in planning and execution of special projects, including disease outbreaks, emergency response, transport initiatives, and community spay/neuter efforts
Promote high standards of medical care, infection control, and workplace safety
Identify operational gaps and implement sustainable improvements
Support training in fear-free handling, shelter medicine protocols, and efficient high-volume workflows
Champion continuous improvement while maintaining compassion for both animals and staff
Perform additional duties as assigned.