Manager, University Relations
National Veterinary Associates
Job Description
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.
