Job Description
Job Description
Lead Veterinarian – Clinic Services | Shape the Future of Accessible Veterinary Care at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL)
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is seeking a collaborative, mission-driven Lead Veterinarian to provide medical leadership at one of the ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics. This is an opportunity for an experienced veterinarian who is passionate about high-quality, affordable care and ready to guide a clinical team while continuing hands-on patient work.
If you are energized by mentoring others, elevating medical standards, and building a strong clinic culture rooted in compassion and community impact, this role offers both professional fulfillment and meaningful leadership impact.
What Makes This Role Different
At the ARL, veterinary medicine is mission-focused not productivity-driven. Our clinics are privately owned and operated by the ARL, and we do not operate on commission or production-based compensation models. Patient care and accessibility come first. As Lead Veterinarian, you will provide day-to-day medical leadership and oversight within the clinic while continuing to practice medicine. You will mentor and support veterinarians and veterinary support staff, champion high standards of care and client communication, and help guide medical protocols and best practices. In partnership with operations leadership, you will ensure efficient service delivery while fostering a positive, growth-oriented team culture grounded in collaboration and respect.
You will join a team of experienced veterinarians across the organization who collaborate regularly and support one another. While this role is clinic-focused, you will benefit from being part of a broader veterinary team that spans multiple service areas.
Why the ARL
The ARL offers competitive, market-driven compensation along with a robust holiday and paid time off policy designed to support work–life balance. Because we do not operate under production pressure or commission-based pay models, veterinarians are empowered to focus fully on patient care and community impact. This is a mission-centered environment where your leadership directly supports pets and families in need, and where you have the opportunity to shape clinic growth and medical direction within a supportive veterinary leadership structure.
What You Bring
We are seeking candidates with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited institution and an active Iowa veterinary license, or the ability to obtain one. Several years of clinical experience are preferred, along with demonstrated leadership, mentorship, or supervisory experience. Successful candidates bring a commitment to accessible, high-quality veterinary care and strong communication and team-building skills. You are steady, solution-oriented, and motivated by impact, taking pride in clinical excellence while understanding the importance of affordability and community service.
If you are ready to lead a clinic team where compassion, collaboration, and mission drive every decision, we would love to connect with you.
Employment in this position is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the ARL may terminate the employment relationship at any time.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or applicable state regulations, the Animal Rescue League will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations.
Clinic opportunities are available Monday through Saturday based on scheduling needs and veterinarian preferred schedule.
Schedule flexibility Monday through Saturday based on candidate's availability and ideal schedule.