Director of Hospital Operations / Veterinary Practice Administrator Just Cats Clinic | Reston, Virginia Full-Time | Senior Leadership Position We're Looking for a Leader Who Can Run the Hospital, Not Just Manage the Schedule. Just Cats Clinic is seeking an exceptional operations leader to take full responsibility for the business and administrative operations of our independently owned, feline-only veterinary hospital. We are an AAHA-accredited, Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice with approximately 35 employees and a team of veterinarians providing primary care, urgent care, advanced diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, and hospitalization. Our hospital operates seven days a week, 365 days a year, and offers a level of care and complexity that goes well beyond a traditional general practice. We need a leader who can take ownership of the entire operation, make sound independent decisions, build an outstanding team, and deliver measurable results. This is not a position for someone who needs daily direction. We are looking for an experienced administrator who sees problems, develops solutions, implements improvements, and takes accountability for outcomes. What You'll OwnPeople & Leadership Full responsibility for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and employee relations. Direct management and development of department supervisors and team leaders. Staffing plans, schedules, labor budgets, and workforce productivity. Building a professional, accountable, positive workplace culture. Addressing personnel issues independently, fairly, and consistently. Financial Performance Ownership of operating budgets, expense management, and financial performance. Monitoring revenue, labor costs, inventory, profitability, and key performance indicators. Identifying and implementing opportunities to increase efficiency and improve margins. Managing vendor relationships, purchasing, contracts, and cost controls. Preparing regular financial and operational performance reports for the Owner. Hospital Operations Complete oversight of daily hospital operations across all departments. Ensuring efficient patient flow, appropriate staffing, and exceptional client service. Developing, implementing, and enforcing standard operating procedures. Maintaining regulatory compliance, facility operations, and operational readiness. Independently resolving operational challenges and escalating only matters requiring owner or medical director involvement. Growth & Strategic Execution Translating strategic objectives into actionable plans and measurable results. Leading process improvements, technology implementation, and operational innovation. Improving appointment utilization, client retention, and team productivity. Identifying opportunities for sustainable growth. Developing a management structure that allows the hospital to operate effectively without constant owner involvement. The Person We're Looking ForYou are an experienced business and people leader who: Takes ownership rather than waiting for instructions. Makes thoughtful, confident decisions and accepts accountability. Understands financial statements, budgets, labor management, and operational KPIs. Knows how to hire, coach, develop, and, when necessary, make difficult personnel decisions. Establishes clear expectations and consistently follows through. Communicates directly, professionally, and respectfully. Can balance employee well-being, excellent patient care, client satisfaction, and financial sustainability. Is comfortable leading a complex, fast-paced healthcare organization. Brings solutions, not just problems.
Qualifications:
RequiredAt least five years of progressively responsible management experience, including substantial responsibility for personnel, budgets, and daily operations.
Demonstrated success leading a multidisciplinary team.
Strong financial literacy, including P&L interpretation, budgeting, labor management, and expense control.
Experience independently making operational and personnel decisions.
Proven ability to implement systems, establish accountability, and improve organizational performance.
Strongly Preferred:
Veterinary hospital management or comparable multi-provider healthcare management experience.
Experience overseeing 25 or more employees.
CVPM, MBA, MHA, or comparable business or management qualifications.
Experience with performance dashboards, practice management systems, and workflow automation.
We value demonstrated leadership ability and measurable results more than job titles or credentials alone.
Why Just Cats Clinic?
Independent Ownership: We are not owned by a corporation or private equity group. Our leadership team has the freedom to make decisions that are right for our patients, employees, and business.
A Modern Veterinary Hospital: We invest in advanced medicine, technology, automation, and operational innovation.
Real Authority: This position has meaningful responsibility and the autonomy to make decisions, implement improvements, and lead the organization.
Direct Access to Ownership: You will work closely with the Owner and Medical Director on strategy while independently managing business operations.
An Opportunity to Build: We want someone who can strengthen our management systems, develop our people, and help position Just Cats Clinic for long-term success.
Compensation & Benefits:
Competitive executive-level compensation based on experience and qualifications, with the opportunity for performance-based incentives tied to measurable operational and financial results.
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter addressing:
The largest team and operating budget you have independently managed.
An example of a measurable financial or operational improvement you personally led.
Your approach to building accountability and developing effective supervisors.
We are looking for a leader who will take ownership of the hospital's success. If you have the experience, judgment, and drive to run a complex veterinary business, we'd like to hear from you.