JRG Partners is excited to partner with a leading innovator in the animal health sector, seeking a highly accomplished and visionary Director of Veterinary Affairs. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of veterinary medicine, combining scientific expertise with strategic leadership to drive product development, market adoption, and unwavering commitment to animal welfare. If you are a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) with a passion for advancing animal health and a proven track record in a corporate or academic setting, we invite you to explore this impactful career opportunity.
Role Overview for Director of Veterinary Affairs
As the Director of Veterinary Affairs, you will be at the forefront of our client’s mission to improve the lives of animals worldwide. This is a strategic leadership position that demands a blend of deep scientific knowledge, exceptional communication skills, and a keen understanding of the regulatory and commercial landscapes within the animal health industry. You will serve as a critical liaison between internal R&D, commercial, and regulatory teams, and external stakeholders, including key opinion leaders (KOLs), academic institutions, veterinary practitioners, and professional organizations.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide expert veterinary guidance and leadership across the organization, ensuring that all initiatives align with the highest standards of veterinary science, ethical practice, and animal welfare. You will play a crucial role in developing and executing scientific communication strategies, supporting product launches, managing clinical trials, and fostering strong relationships within the veterinary community.
This role offers the flexibility of a remote work environment, allowing you to contribute significantly to a dynamic and growing company while maintaining work-life balance. The successful candidate will be instrumental in translating complex scientific data into actionable insights for various audiences, influencing both internal strategy and external perception. You will be expected to stay abreast of the latest advancements in veterinary medicine, emerging diseases, and regulatory changes, positioning the company as a thought leader in the animal health space.
This position requires not only scientific rigor but also a strong business acumen to navigate the commercial realities of the industry, ensuring that scientific integrity and commercial objectives are harmoniously integrated. Ultimately, your leadership will directly impact the development and successful introduction of groundbreaking solutions that enhance animal health and productivity.
Key Responsibilities of Director of Veterinary Affairs
Strategic Veterinary Leadership
Provide overarching veterinary guidance and strategic input across all corporate functions, including Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, Sales, and Business Development. Contribute to the development of long-term strategic plans that align with market needs and scientific opportunities.
Scientific & Medical Communications
Develop and execute comprehensive scientific communication strategies. This includes authoring and reviewing scientific publications, presentations, and educational materials for both internal and external audiences. Act as a primary scientific spokesperson for the company at conferences, symposia, and professional events.
Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Engagement
Build, maintain, and nurture strong relationships with key opinion leaders, veterinary specialists, academic researchers, and professional veterinary organizations globally. Facilitate scientific exchange, gather insights, and collaborate on research initiatives that advance the field.
Clinical Development Support
Provide expert veterinary oversight and input into the design, execution, and interpretation of clinical trials and field studies for new and existing products. Ensure studies adhere to ethical guidelines, regulatory requirements, and scientific best practices.
Regulatory Affairs Collaboration
Work closely with the Regulatory Affairs team to provide scientific justification and veterinary expertise for product registrations, label claims, and post-market surveillance activities. Assist in responding to regulatory inquiries and contributing to submission dossiers.
Product Support & Training
Serve as a top-tier scientific resource for the commercial teams (Marketing and Sales), providing in-depth product knowledge, technical training, and scientific support to address complex customer inquiries and challenges. Develop scientific messaging that resonates with veterinary professionals.
Market Intelligence & Trend Analysis
Monitor and analyze emerging trends in veterinary medicine, animal diseases, competitive landscapes, and regulatory changes. Provide timely insights to inform product development pipelines, marketing strategies, and risk mitigation efforts.
Animal Welfare & Ethical Oversight
Champion the highest animal welfare standards and ethical considerations in all company activities, from research and development to product use and marketing. Ensure compliance with all relevant animal care guidelines and regulations.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Foster a highly collaborative environment, working effectively with diverse internal teams (e.g., R&D, Legal, Quality Assurance, Commercial) to ensure a unified approach to product development and market engagement.
Budget Management
Manage departmental budgets effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for scientific initiatives, professional development, and external collaborations.
Team Leadership & Development
Potentially lead and mentor a small team of veterinary professionals, fostering their growth and ensuring their contributions align with departmental and corporate objectives.
Crisis Management & Issues Resolution
Provide expert veterinary input during product-related issues or crises, assisting in investigation, communication, and resolution strategies to protect animal health and corporate reputation.
Requirements for the Director of Veterinary Affairs
Education
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree from an accredited institution is mandatory. A Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., pharmacology, toxicology, immunology, epidemiology) or an MBA is highly preferred.
Experience
Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in the animal health industry, academia, or a related scientific field. This experience should include significant roles in medical affairs, scientific affairs, technical services, clinical research, or regulatory affairs within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or animal nutrition company. Experience in a leadership or senior scientific advisory role is essential.
Scientific Acumen
Demonstrated deep understanding of veterinary medicine, animal physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and current therapeutic areas. Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and translate complex data into clear, concise communications.
Communication Skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex scientific information effectively to diverse audiences, including scientific experts, veterinarians, commercial teams, and senior leadership. Fluent in English; additional language proficiency is a plus.
Strategic Thinking
Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop proactive solutions that align with business objectives and scientific principles.
Relationship Building
Proven ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships with KOLs, academic researchers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders.
Project Management
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Regulatory Knowledge
Familiarity with global regulatory requirements and guidelines relevant to animal health products (e.g., FDA CVM, EMA, VICH guidelines).
Travel
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required (approximately 25-40% of the time) for conferences, client meetings, and internal collaborations.
Technical Proficiency
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with scientific literature databases and presentation software.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client values its employees and offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional growth, personal well-being, and financial security. As a Director of Veterinary Affairs, you can expect:
Competitive Compensation
An attractive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with a performance-based bonus structure.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your family.
Retirement Planning
A generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions to help you secure your financial future.
Paid Time Off
Ample vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
Opportunities for continuous learning, professional certifications, and attendance at industry conferences to enhance your expertise and career trajectory.
Remote Work Flexibility
The ability to work remotely, providing flexibility and autonomy while staying connected to a supportive team.
Impactful Work
The chance to make a significant difference in the field of animal health, contributing to innovations that improve the lives of animals globally.
Collaborative Culture
A dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative work environment where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
Employee Assistance Programs
Access to resources supporting mental health, financial planning, and personal well-being.
How to Apply
If you are a highly motivated and experienced veterinary professional ready to take on a leadership role that drives innovation and excellence in animal health, we encourage you to apply. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization through JRG Partners, a trusted name in executive search for the animal health industry.
To express your interest and learn more about this exciting Director of Veterinary Affairs position, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and career aspirations through our dedicated portal. Visit our Animal Health & Nutrition Recruiting page to explore this and other opportunities. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing how your expertise can contribute to our client’s success.
