Manager, University Relations

Job Summary: The Manager, University Engagement supports the organization’s strategy and partnerships with veterinary colleges and universities across the United States and Canada in support of a network of more than 1,000 veterinary hospitals. This role is responsible for strengthening the organization’s presence within the academic veterinary community and building long-term university relationships.

The Manager partners closely with Talent Acquisition, the House Officer Program Manager, Medical Operations, and hospital leadership to create a cohesive university outreach. This role serves as a key liaison between the organization and veterinary students, faculty, interns, residents, and academic leaders to promote career opportunities, professional development, and the organization’s commitment to advancing veterinary medicine.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Program Development

• Aid in the development and implementation of a comprehensive university engagement strategy aligned with organizational growth and talent objectives.
• Identify emerging trends in veterinary education and workforce development to inform organizational strategy.

University & Academic Partnerships

• Aid in the development and management of strategic relationships with veterinary colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the organization’s academic presence through partnerships, sponsorships, educational initiatives, and collaborative programs.

• Represent the organization at veterinary school events, conferences, career fairs, and industry meetings.

Student & Early Career Engagement

• Aid in the development and execution of strategies to engage veterinary students and early-career professionals throughout their academic journey.
• Create programs and initiatives that increase awareness of career opportunities within the organization’s hospital network.
• Support mentorship, externship, scholarship, and student representative programs.
• Build strong relationships with veterinary student organizations and specialty interest groups.

Collaboration with Talent Acquisition

• Partner closely with Talent Acquisition to support recruitment strategies for veterinarians, specialists, interns, residents, and early-career clinicians.
• Aid in the development of university recruitment plans aligned with workforce and hiring priorities.
• Support campus recruiting efforts, candidate engagement activities, and pipeline development initiatives.
• Analyze recruitment trends and recommend strategies to improve hiring outcomes and brand visibility within veterinary schools.

House Officer Program Partnership

• Collaborate with House Officer Program leadership to support internship and residency recruitment, engagement, and program visibility.
• Promote the organization’s internship and residency opportunities within veterinary colleges and academic networks.
• Assist in strengthening relationships between specialty hospitals, academic institutions, and house officer candidates.
• Support educational programming and professional development initiatives for interns and residents.

Key Deliverables/Outcomes:

• Strengthen the organization’s relationships with veterinary colleges and universities across North America.
• Increase student and early-career engagement with the organization’s hospitals and programs.
• Support recruitment goals through strategic university partnerships and campus engagement initiatives.
• Enhance visibility and participation in internship, residency, and house officer programs.

• Develop impactful educational presentations, university programming, and recruitment initiatives.
• Create sustainable talent pipelines that support long-term organizational growth and clinical excellence.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in veterinary medicine, university relations, academic partnerships, or related field.
• Strong understanding of veterinary education, internship/residency programs, and clinical career pathways.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Willingness to travel extensively to veterinary colleges, conferences, recruiting events, and hospital locations across the U.S. and Canada.