Arizona Humane Society logo
Arizona Humane Society
Phoenix, Arizona

Lead Veterinarian

VeterinarianFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Lead Veterinarian

The Arizona Humane Society is seeking a full-time Lead Veterinarian to join our Sunnyslope Veterinary Clinic. This is a great opportunity to combine clinical expertise with leadership while making a meaningful impact on animals and the community we serve. We're looking for a compassionate, experienced veterinarian who enjoys mentoring a team and working in a mission-driven environment. Keep reading to learn more!

  • Paws Up For Great Benefits!
  • Competitive salary
  • Generous PTO program
  • Up to 8 paid holidays per year
  • 401(k) with employer contribution
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Plans

Got student loans? Employment with AHS may qualify you for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program!

Discounts on veterinary services and other pet perks!

Day in the Life

The Lead Veterinarian serves as the clinical leader for the assigned hospital, providing high-quality medical and surgical care while mentoring veterinarians, veterinary students, externs, and support staff.

This role includes wellness and illness evaluations, diagnostics, treatment, vaccinations, surgery, high-volume spay/neuter, and humane end-of-life care, while ensuring patient safety, accurate medical records, and exceptional client experiences.

The Lead Veterinarian promotes evidence-based medicine, consistent standards of care, and continuous quality improvement across Arizona Humane Society clinics.

Working closely with the Director of Veterinary Services, Hospital Manager, supervisors, and fellow veterinarians, the Lead Veterinarian provides clinical guidance, supports complex case decision-making, assists with onboarding and training, and helps develop medical protocols, continuing education, and case rounds. This position also partners with hospital leadership on staffing, scheduling, workflow, performance feedback, and overall team development while providing veterinary support across AHS programs as operational needs require.

Job Requirements

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree
  • Current Arizona veterinary license, or ability to obtain Arizona licensure

DEA License or Ability to Obtain

  • Minimum of five years of clinical experience, with demonstrated proficiency in surgery and general practice medicine
  • Shelter medicine and/or high-volume spay/neuter experience a benefit, not a requirement
  • Previous leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience preferred
  • Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent clinical judgment and commitment to evidence-based medicine
  • Ability to build consensus while supporting organizational medical standards
  • Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with leadership and administrative duties
  • Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with clients, staff, volunteers, and community partners. Spanish language proficiency is a plus

Basic Mathematical and Dosage Calculation Skills Required

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn electronic medical record management software

Physical Demands/Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift, tether and/or move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to hear above the sound of the animals.

There will be exposure to dust, heat, cold and temperature changes; occasional wet floors, and animal noises, odors and dander. Most time will be spent in a typical air conditioned and heated office environment.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information

  • The Arizona Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a participant in the E-Verify program.
  • Ready to Join our team and make a difference every day?
  • Explore all of our current career opportunities here: Careers - Arizona Humane Society

Must pass pre-employment drug and background screening to be compliant with DEA requirements for dispensing controlled drugs.

Key Responsibilities

The Lead Veterinarian serves as the clinical leader for the hospital, providing high-quality medical and surgical care while mentoring staff and students. This role also involves developing medical protocols, overseeing clinical operations, and collaborating with leadership to ensure quality improvement.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a DVM or VMD degree with a current Arizona veterinary license and at least five years of clinical experience. Proficiency in surgery, general practice medicine, and demonstrated leadership skills are required for this position.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical leadershipStaff supervisionClient communication

Veterinary Medicine Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Arizona is 100.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.3% of Arizona clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 82% have no call, 96% require no weekends.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

13 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution9 jobs

1
$120k
2
$140k
4
$150k-165k
0
$165k-180k
2
$180k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution13 jobs · 9 employers

0
1-2
0
3-4
2
5-6
2
7-8
9
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Veterinarian

Pure Paws Veterinary Care · New York, New York

$160k-$180k
#2

Veterinarian

Veterinary Practice Partners · New York, New York

$160k-$180k
#3

Veterinarian - Tacoma, WA

$140k-$160k
#4

Veterinarian - Tacoma, WA

$140k-$150k
+ 11 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.7this job 1.5
Below most Veterinary Medicine listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,047 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Phoenix

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$406k
Typical market rent
$1,574/mo
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.3
State income tax
Up to 2.5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Arizona Humane Society logo

About Arizona Humane Society

Non-profit Organizations
Phoenix
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive Salary
Generous PTO Program
Up to 8 Paid Holidays
401(k) with Employer Contribution
Medical Insurance
Dental
Vision
PSLF Eligible