Veterinary Hospital Administrator

Timberline Veterinary Emergency and Specialty is the only locally veterinarian owned 24/7 emergency and multispecialty hospital for animals in Seattle.  We are looking for a hospital administrator to lead operations, drive a culture of excellence, and oversee all human resources functions in our rapidly growing practice. As a key member of our senior leadership team, the Hospital Administrator will set the tone for organizational culture, lead our teams, and ensure day-to-day operations run efficiently, safely, and in alignment with the Timberline Mission and PEAK principles.

Our Mission makes our hospital unique:

Leading through exceptional veterinary care 

and sustainable employee ownership

Our Peak Principles:

Our PEAK principles guide us in how we individually and collectively make decisions, respond to challenges, and choose directions of growth for our hospital. 

Patient Care -

Patient care is our guiding principle. We believe that patient care is most successful when it is performed with an evidence based, empathetic and compassionate team-based approach. We believe the best care for pets involves a partnership between pet owners, their primary care veterinarians, and our team. 

Engagement -

Engagement is a heightened connection that drives us to contribute to hospital success, support our team, and serve our community. Everyone should be challenged, heard, appreciated, and an integral part of our mission. 

Accountability - 

We maintain high standards for individual and team performance. We hold each other accountable to our mission statement and PEAK principles.  We are responsible for honest and ethical conduct and are willing to be judged on our performance. 

Knowledge Growth - 

Exceptional medicine is a moving target.  We are committed to continuous learning, questioning, and improving the quality of the care we provide. 

Job Description

The Hospital Administrator is responsible for leading all operational staff (including client care, veterinary assistants, liaisons, and technical support staff), overseeing HR systems and compliance, and ensuring alignment with TVES’s mission and long-term strategic goals. This position reports directly to TVES’s founders, CEO, and Board of Directors. 

The Administrator is expected to: 

• Lead and manage all hospital-wide non-clinical functions 

• Lead and execute all human resource responsibilities 

• Promote a culture of safety, engagement, and accountability 

• Serve as a visible and approachable presence for staff, clients, and referring veterinary practices 
  

This is a 5 day a week in person position that requires determination of a set schedule to provide visibility to all staff members. 

Essential Job Duties:

Team Leadership and Hospital Operations:

• Provide direct leadership to all non-DVM staff, including department leads 


• Ensure efficient hospital workflows, staff and resource allocation, and team communication among all hospital departments


• Lead hospital strategy and budgeting as it relates to hiring and staffing


• Participate in and influence strategic planning efforts with the senior leadership team 


• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented workplace culture 


• Lead initiatives for safety, staff wellness, and quality improvement 

Human Resources Management (Full Scope):

• Own all HR functions including recruitment (staff and doctors), interviewing, hiring, onboarding, performance management, and terminations 


• Maintain compliance with employment laws (FMLA, PFML, COBRA, OSHA, etc.) and ensure adherence to the employee handbook 


• Manage HR records, systems, and reporting; oversee time-off tracking and worker’s compensation cases 


• Annually update and communicate handbook policies (January) and benefit packages (May)


• Lead staff evaluations, 30 and 60-day check-ins, six month and first year review, annual performance reviews, and job satisfaction assessments 


• Design and implement leadership development, employee engagement, and retention programs 


• Develop and oversee Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) 


• Partner with the marketing team on recruitment campaigns and internal communications 

Client Service and Community Engagement:

• Directly manage the client care team to uphold exceptional customer service standards


• Review and update training materials, communication scripts, and client protocols


• Lead resolution of escalated client concerns and respond to online reviews


• Build and strengthen relationships with referring veterinary practices and the broader community

Additional responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned by the founders, CEO or Board of Directors to support the mission, operations, and continued growth of TVES

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, CVPM) preferred 

• 5+ years of experience in hospital administration, healthcare management, or veterinary operations - 24/7 operations experience preferred

• Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing HR functions, and navigating organizational change 

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills 

• Proficient with HR systems and hospital software (e.g., HRIS, practice management tools, Excel) 

• Knowledge of labor laws, benefits administration, and employee relations best practices 

Preferred Skills & Traits 

• Empathetic and emotionally intelligent leader 

• Strong organizational, analytical, and strategic planning abilities 

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, high-emotion environment 

• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development 


• Proven track record in building strong engaged teams

• Passion for animal care and community engagement 

Performance Expectations 

• Ensure staffing is aligned with operational needs, budget and growth

• Improve job satisfaction, recruitment and staff retention within first year 

• Maintain full legal and policy compliance across all HR functions 

• Uphold a high standard of client satisfaction and operational excellence 

Benefits

• Competitive Salary (commensurate with experience)


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• Retirement plan with employer match


• Generous PTO and holiday policy


• Professional development and CE support


• Pet care discounts


• Stock appreciation rights plan 

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Timberline Veterinary Emergency and Specialty is an equal opportunity employer.  We believe a diverse, inclusive team makes us stronger and better able to serve our clients and community.  We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities.