Director, Health Services, Quality

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is western Canada's regional college of veterinary medicine.  It is part of a comprehensive academic health sciences group on the university campus, with access to facilities including the Canadian Light Source and the Biomedical Beamline and Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Sciences, VIDO Intervac. For further information, please visit

The Veterinary Medical Centre at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is a state-of-the-art facility serving western Canada as an AVMA and AAHA accredited clinic and referral centre.

The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.  The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 24,000.

Primary Purpose: The Director is responsible for ensuring all aspects of quality, safety, risk reduction and excellence in patient care within the Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC), supporting the mission of the WCVM in patient care, student learning and discovery. The Director, Health Services, Quality & Safety Operations, is responsible for providing leadership, strategy and direction for services provided by the Managers of Health. Services

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this position is a key member of the Veterinary Medical Centre Senior Leadership Team. This position requires strong relationship building skills, strong clinical knowledge of hospital care as it relates to excellence in patient care standards, judgment, and discretionary decision-making skills. The work is high volume and decisions being made range from mundane to critical. A high level of adaptability is required for continuous planning, dealing with multiple projects, and competing deadlines. This position will be subject to frequent interruptions, unpleasant odors and veterinary hospital dress code.

Located at the WCVM, the VMC is a premiere 24/7 emergency referral and primary care center that provides quality care and specialized services for a wide range of animal species. The VMC admits over 17,000 cases annually, including referral cases from veterinarians across Western Canada.  The environment is fast paced and dynamic, therefore the Director must be able to balance competing priorities and projects.  The incumbent will be required to deal with sensitive and emotional situations that require tact and confidentiality.

Accountabilities:

Leadership:

• Develop, implement and ongoing evaluation of a learning and quality care standards environment, which supports the college's mission of student learning, patient care and discovery;
• Achieve the outcomes of the VMC by collaborating with, encouraging, supporting, coaching, developing and mentoring others who may or may not have formal reporting responsibilities to the position;
• Models a high standard of performance and professionalism. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in formal and informal teams with people across the different functions of the VMC, which include administrative departments, faculty, interns and residents, and other departments within the WCVM;
• Collaborate with VMC leadership, WCVM leadership, Faculty, and Strategic Business Advisors.

Mentorship / Executive and Staff Development

• Coach, lead and provide mentorship to ensure managers closely collaborate with the Associate Dean Clinical Programs and Student Services to ensure clinical services align with 4th year teaching schedules;
• Ensuring and measuring skill development in clinical teaching, mentoring of DVM and Veterinary Technology students within the RVT staff. 
• Lead recruitment, orientation, training, coaching, disciplinary action, and development activities with VMC management staff to build and maintain a highly effective team;
• Primary lead for Occupational Health and Safety, including Occupational Health Committee oversight, infection prevention and control and biosafety, and other safety related protocols such as rabies testing, staff immunization, and liaison with public health.
• Primary lead for ensuring all accreditation requirements and met and standards are upheld.
• Advise managers on policy, new initiatives and emerging challenges;
• Promote and nurture a culture of diversity, collegiality, and acceptance with the VMC, WCVM, and university.

Strategy:

• In conjunction with the COO, for strategic people planning and budgetary implications of annual and future goals in clinical care alignment in the mission of patient care, teaching and discovery;
• Collaborates as a member of the senior leadership team, the director assists to update and plan budget for strategic direction, optimizing the operational plan for clinical care excellence;
• Create and implement long and short-term strategies to incorporate best practice for infection control;
• Measure skill development in clinical teaching using appropriate curriculum guidance, and mentoring of DVM and Veterinary Technology students within the operational and support staff; 
• Primary lead in application of new equipment and supplies, for leading practice in patient care and quality outcomes and ensuring timely scheduling of patient care;
• Primary lead in monitoring patient care outcomes/satisfaction for changes in evidence based leading practice;
• Represents the VMC on committees and strategy teams for high-level programs and projects.
• Receives research applications for review and approval as appropriate;

Administration:

• Provide oversight with the managers to ensure staffing and operations budget is on target;
• Develop, implement, evaluate and amend procedures and policies related to the efficient and effective operation of the VMC, in relation to its mission of patient care, student learning and discovery and professional and/or regulatory standards;
• Have or acquire knowledge of hospital operations and standards;
• Manage the department budget, which includes setting and adjusting staffing requirements to meet the needs of the hospital from a patient care and student learning standpoint;
• Minimize exposure to risk by ensuring policies, procedures are followed.

Education:  A Bachelor degree in a Health Science Discipline is required. Licensure as a healthcare professional is strongly preferred. Certifications and/or post graduate degrees in leadership or healthcare administration would be an asset. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience: Minimum eight (8) to ten years (10) of proven successful experience in a leadership role preferably in a hospital, within the veterinary or health care field.  Experience in hospital administration is an asset. Education and/or certification in infection control would be an asset. Must have experience working in and promoting a diverse and inclusive environment.  

Competencies 

Leadership / Vision

The demonstrated ability to build a shared, compelling and credible vision of the future, influencing

people to ensure outcomes that support achieving the vision; a culture of leadership.

Management of People and Processes

Demonstrated ability to build trust, manage performance, develop people and delegate work appropriately.  Ability to work with staff, users and stakeholders to develop and define process.

Support for Progress

The demonstrated ability to initiate, implement, and support innovation and institutional change and

enhance programs and services.

Results Orientation

Focuses on results and completing objectives within the framework defined by the University's plans

and policies.

Personal Effectiveness

Demonstrates an ability to reflect, clarify and commit to what is important, take responsibility for

growth and development, and contribute to positive and productive work and learning environments.

Communication

The demonstrated ability to convey information and ideas to individuals in a manner that engages

the audience and helps them understand, retain, and respond to the message.

Relationship Building

The demonstrated ability to develop the rapport necessary to build, maintain and/or strengthen

partnerships and relationships inside and outside of the University.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Department: Veterinary Medical Centre
Status: Permanent

Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $93, ,808.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Managerial

Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 4

Posted Date: 1/9/2026

Closing Date: 1/22/2026 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.