Medical Director, Veterinarian | Best Friends Animal Clinic
Listed compensation
Up to $175,000
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Medical Director (DVM) | Best Friends Animal Clinic | Hanahan, South Carolina
Lead, Mentor, and Shape the Future of a Growing Veterinary Practice
Best Friends Animal Clinic is seeking a Medical Director (DVM) to lead our collaborative four-doctor small animal veterinary practice in Hanahan, South Carolina. This is an exciting opportunity for a veterinarian who is passionate about clinical leadership, mentorship, team development, and high-quality veterinary medicine while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Located just outside Charleston, our hospital is supported by an experienced team, loyal client base, and modern technology that allows our doctors to practice exceptional medicine every day. We're looking for a leader who is excited to guide the future of the practice while continuing to make a meaningful impact through patient care.
Who We Are
Best Friends Animal Clinic is a full-service veterinary hospital dedicated to providing exceptional companion animal medical, surgical, and preventive care. Our mission is to help pets live long, healthy lives by combining advanced medicine with compassionate care.
Our Hospital Features
- Digital radiology
- Therapy laser
- Access to specialists in ultrasound, acupuncture, and chiropractic care
- Five fully trained veterinary technicians
- Long-tenured, collaborative support staff
- Strong client relationships and a community-focused reputation
Our culture is built on teamwork, respect, mentorship, and continuous learning. We believe in supporting one another while delivering the highest standard of veterinary care.
About the Role
As Medical Director, You Will
- Provide clinical leadership and help establish medical best practices
- Mentor and support associate veterinarians and support staff
- Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
- Partner with hospital leadership to support strategic growth initiatives
- Maintain an active clinical caseload while balancing leadership responsibilities
- Help drive medical excellence and exceptional client experiences
- Support innovation and the continued expansion of services
- Core Competencies
- Veterinary Leadership
- Medical Director Experience
- Small Animal Medicine
- Companion Animal Care
- Veterinary Surgery
- Preventive Medicine
- Veterinary Diagnostics
- Associate Veterinarian Mentorship
- Clinical Team Development
- Medical Protocol Development
- Hospital Growth & Strategy
- Practice Management
- Client Communication & Education
- Team Building & Engagement
- Change Management
- Workflow Optimization
- Relationship Building
- Compassionate Patient Care
What We Offer
- Leadership role with clinical and administrative responsibilities
- Up to $175,000 Base Salary (varies based on qualifications/experience) plus leadership stipend
- Quarterly production bonus with no negative accrual
- Generous sign-on and relocation assistance
- Equity incentive opportunities for Medical Directors
- No on-call responsibilities
- No emergency hours
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (with HSA options)
- Generous PTO with rollover
- Paid parental leave and bonding time
- Annual CE allowance plus paid CE days
- Paid professional dues and AVMA PLIT coverage
- Personal pet discounts
- Medical autonomy to pursue your clinical interests
- Support from a highly skilled and fully utilized team
- Collaboration with an experienced Medical Advisory Board
- Additional wellness and professional benefits
- Why Hanahan, South Carolina?
Located just outside Charleston, Hanahan offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and coastal living. Residents enjoy scenic waterfront views, outdoor recreation, excellent schools, and easy access to Charleston's world-class dining, culture, and historic attractions.
Whether you enjoy boating, fishing, beach weekends, or exploring the Lowcountry, Hanahan offers an exceptional quality of life with all the conveniences of a growing coastal community.
Join Our Team
If you're looking for a Veterinary Medical Director opportunity where you can lead a talented team, influence the future of a thriving hospital, and continue practicing exceptional medicine, we'd love to connect.
Apply today to learn more about joining Best Friends Animal Clinic as our next Medical Director in Hanahan, South Carolina.
Our salary ranges are primarily determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
The Company offers competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision benefits, vacation, sick leave, 401(k), and more depending on location. You will be provided more detailed information about compensation and benefits for your specific location.
Where required under applicable law, the company provides eligible employees with paid sick leave, health emergency leave, and similar benefits programs, all in accordance with the requirements of state and local law depending on the location of the practice you support.
Western Veterinary Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Western Veterinary Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact hr@westernvetpartners.com.
Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and the legitimate needs of the business.
Candidate Privacy Notice
Key Responsibilities
The Medical Director will provide clinical leadership, mentor associate veterinarians, and establish medical best practices to ensure high-quality patient care. They will also partner with hospital leadership to drive strategic growth, manage clinical caseloads, and foster a collaborative team environment.
Requirements
Candidates must be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with experience in clinical leadership and small animal medicine. Strong communication, mentorship, and practice management skills are required to lead the hospital team effectively.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
The cost-of-living index for South Carolina is 93.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.6% of South Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 88% have no call, 78% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 10 · above average in veterinary medicine | ranked against 3,392 Veterinary Medicine listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | not listed | Veterinary Medicine median $170k (middle half $155k–$175k)20 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost of living | South Carolina index 93.7 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in South Carolina | 83 active | 3,434 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 88% no call · 78% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus | South Carolina healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 29% state a sign-on bonus · 6% offer loan repayment101 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 1,287 in the last 30 days | 483 the 30 days before (+166%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +1.8% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Medical Director, Veterinarian | Best Friends Animal Clinic at Western Veterinary Partners a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Veterinary Medicine — ranked against 3,392 active Veterinary Medicine listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.
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