The posting
Join us as Hospital Administrator at VCA Valley Oak Veterinary Center in Chico, California and lead one of Northern California's premier emergency, specialty, and general practice hospitals. You'll partner with a talented team of 17+ doctors – including board-certified Internal Medicine and Surgery specialists – and an 80-person support team, all working in a 14,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility.
You'll be empowered to do your best work, backed by strong regional and medical leadership, and by a team you can count on. At VCA, the future of veterinary medicine is in our hands.
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM
- AAHA-accredited, multi-doctor, 24-hour emergency, specialty, and general practice hospital
- A large, established team – 17+ doctors (including board-certified specialists) and an 80-person support team – offering real scale and scope for a leader to make an impact
- Located just north of Sacramento at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills – a few hours from San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Mt. Lassen, and Mt. Shasta
- Chico offers small-town charm with big outdoor appeal: Bidwell Park's 3,600+ acres, water sports on nearby rivers and lakes, cycling, hiking, breweries, and a vibrant local arts scene
- Access to a nationwide network of specialists, mentors, and peer Hospital Managers/Regional Operations Directors for ongoing support
WHAT YOU'LL DO
As Hospital Administrator, you will lead the day-to-day operations of the hospital – partnering closely with the Medical Directors to deliver quality patient care, an excellent client experience, and a well-run, financially healthy business. Core responsibilities include:
- Team Leadership: Recruit, hire, train, schedule and coach a large, multi-department team.
- Financial Management: Own the hospital's budget, P&L, and expense control; monitor key performance indicators and drive toward contribution margin and revenue goals.
- Client & Patient Experience: Ensure consistent, compassionate service standards across the client journey, from check-in through follow-up care.
- Operations & Facilities: Oversee office management, scheduling, inventory, equipment, and facility maintenance to keep the hospital running smoothly.
- Marketing & Community: Support local marketing and promotion of hospital services, and represent the hospital within the Chico community.
- Communication: Serve as the connector between doctors, staff, clients, and VCA regional/support office leadership through regular meetings and transparent reporting.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for an experienced operator and people leader with a track record of leading large, service-oriented teams – ideally within veterinary medicine or another healthcare setting – who thrives on solving problems, developing people, and hospital culture.
- Veterinary or healthcare industry experience strongly preferred (hospital, urgent care, medical/dental practice, or similar patient/client-facing environment)
- Demonstrated success leading and developing large, multi-department teams (ideally 50+ associates) in a fast-paced, service-driven setting
- Strong financial acumen, including budget ownership, P&L management, and expense control
- Solid human resources fundamentals: recruiting, performance management, scheduling, and employee relations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to both frontline staff and senior leadership
- Ability to manage competing priorities and remain composed under pressure in a high-volume, 24-hour hospital environment
- High School Diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred
- Minimum of 3+ years managing a medical care facility, veterinary hospital, or other healthcare/service business operation with P&L responsibility
TOTAL REWARDS
As an Associate of VCA, eligible full-time Associates will be rewarded with a comprehensive package, including:
- Compensation: Salary is negotiable based on experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other relevant credentials. This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.
- Health & Well-being: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; fertility and gender-affirmation benefits; Lyra mental health platform (up to 12 sessions/year); Headspace app; paid parental, vacation, and sick leave.
- Financial Security: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match; 100% employer-paid life insurance and short/long-term disability coverage.
- Professional Development: Leadership development and mentorship programs, WOOF University® courses, and access to a nationwide network of Hospital Managers and Regional Operations leaders.
- Perks: Generous pet care discounts, student loan advisory services, and nationwide hospital transfer opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience managing a large team within a veterinary hospital, medical/health system, or comparable service-oriented business
- Licensure/certification such as CVPM (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager) a plus, but not required
- A commitment to practicing the highest standard of client service and upholding VCA's culture and values
VCA Animal Hospitals offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, pet care discounts, paid vacation, holidays and sick days, and health and well-being programs that provide resources and training. Compensation is negotiable based on education, experience, and other relevant credentials. The annual salary range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000. This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.
If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!
The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.
