Veterinary Medical Director

Veterinary Medical Director

J Ventura California USD149K- USD226K / Year

Lead medical teams in a coastal community and shape standards of care as an Area Chief of Staff Veterinarian in Ventura, CA - with compensation up to $226,000. This full-time, hospital-based leadership role blends hands-on clinical work with developing and supporting a high-performing veterinary team.

The Hospital

• Busy, full-service general practice in a convenient retail setting with steady client flow and strong community visibility.
• Supportive, team-based culture with credentialed technicians and dedicated client service coordinators.
• Full-service in-clinic care including preventive medicine, routine surgery, and hospitalization support.
• Access to in-clinic diagnostics such as in-house lab testing and digital radiography, plus dental care capabilities.
• Structured onboarding, mentorship, and ongoing training to support clinical growth and leadership development.
• Collaborative relationship between medical leadership and practice management to deliver consistent, high-quality patient care.
• Streamlined workflows and electronic medical records to support effective, team-centered medicine.

Location

Based in Ventura - a laid-back coastal city with a historic, walkable downtown, year-round mild weather and immediate access to beaches, the Ventura Pier and Ventura Harbor, the launching point for Channel Islands day trips. The area offers a strong outdoor culture, lively dining and craft breweries, and easy connections along the California coast.

• Oceanfront living with San Buenaventura State Beach and the historic Ventura Pier close at hand.
• Gateway to Channel Islands National Park for kayaking, wildlife viewing, and unforgettable day trips from Ventura Harbor.
• Mild Mediterranean climate that encourages year-round outdoor activities.
• Walkable, historic downtown anchored by Mission San Buenaventura, galleries, and frequent community events.
• Active recreation scene - surfing, coastal bikeways, nearby hiking at Ventura Botanical Gardens and Arroyo Verde Park.
• Easy regional access via Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and US-101 - Santa Barbara about 27 miles north; Los Angeles roughly 68 miles south.
• Vibrant local dining and craft breweries plus annual highlights like the Ventura County Fair.
• Harbor Village waterfront for dining, shopping, and marine activities.

Benefits

• Competitive base compensation with production-based incentive eligibility.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• Continuing education allowance with paid CE days.
• State veterinary license and DEA fees covered.
• Professional liability insurance.
• Employee assistance and wellness resources.
• Uniform allowance.
• Potential relocation support.
• Flexible scheduling within hospital needs.
• Growth and leadership development pathways.

The Role

• Full-time, hospital-based position serving as a working manager - balancing clinical care with veterinary team leadership.
• Provide medical leadership across assigned local hospitals, fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture and consistent standards of care.
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor associate veterinarians; develop a strong leadership bench and succession plans.
• Validate clinical quality through medical record reviews, quality assignments, audits, and patient safety event reviews.
• Deliver a portion of direct patient care; clinical time is aligned to the needs and performance of assigned hospitals.
• Partner with practice management to meet medical and operational goals and drive key performance indicators.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, including controlled substance management and adherence to state and federal requirements.
• Serve as Responsible Veterinarian for applicable permits and oversight as required.
• Champion preventive-care approaches and excellent client communication, including timely resolution of escalated concerns.
• Manage medical equipment requests and help optimize hospital resources.

Requirements

• DVM or VMD degree from an accredited institution.
• Active California veterinary license (or ability to obtain prior to start).
• Eligibility for DEA registration.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• Proven clinical proficiency in general practice, including routine surgery and dentistry.
• Demonstrated leadership experience - mentoring, coaching, or leading veterinary teams.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills; comfort with EMRs and metrics-driven improvement.
• Ability to travel locally between assigned hospitals as needed.