Job Description

The Organization: Who is Emancipet?

More than a career, it’s a movement. Emancipet, the leading non-profit veterinary care provider in the United States, is on a mission to make veterinary care affordable and accessible for everyone. For the past 25 years, we’ve been building a national network of veterinary clinics that provide low-cost, high-quality and compassionate care in underserved communities. Our clinics have the power to transform communities into places where no one must forgo veterinary care for their pets because the cost is out of reach. You are invited to join the movement!

We are dedicated to building and supporting a diverse workforce. Emancipet is committed to centering social justice in our work. We continuously evaluate our systems, policies, practices, language and programs to ensure they create equitable access, opportunities, engagement and inclusivity — especially for people from historically marginalized communities. We strive to live by our values and be an organization where the culture created by our diverse staff and board advances our mission and vision and supports organizational excellence and sustainability.

The Department: Who is People and Culture?

It’s not just what we do, but how we do it that makes the difference. The People and Culture department at Emancipet supports the heart of our organization — our people. We are responsible for creating and maintaining the systems, resources and workplace culture that empower our team to thrive. From talent recruitment and onboarding to staff development, compensation, compliance and employee relations, our work helps ensure that Emancipet is a place where people feel valued, respected and supported in doing meaningful work every day.

We champion a people-first approach that balances equity, accountability and compassion. We listen deeply, respond with integrity and act with transparency and purpose. Whether through strategic initiatives, day-to-day support or cross-functional collaboration, we are committed to building an inclusive and mission-aligned workplace where every team member can grow and succeed.

The Chief People Officer will report to the CEO and serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. They will oversee a team of three focused on workforce development — ensuring alignment between our strategic goals and the experience of staff at every level.

The Opportunity: Tell me more about the Chief People Officer position

As a key strategic leader, the Chief People Officer (CPO) is responsible for developing and implementing Emancipet’s human resources strategy to support our people, culture and mission. This role is about more than HR — it’s about nurturing a workplace that values equity, fosters growth and strengthens our collective impact.

The CPO will lead Emancipet’s efforts in talent recruitment and retention, staff development, employee relations, compensation and benefits and organizational culture. As a strategic partner to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the CPO will ensure that our people strategies align with and drive Emancipet’s long-term goals for growth, sustainability and impact.

In this position, you will be responsible for the following:

People Strategy & Leadership (25%)

• Design and implement people strategies that align with Emancipet’s mission and strategic goals.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, bringing a people-first lens to key decisions.
• Develop and monitor key people metrics and workforce planning tools (e.g., quarterly scorecard) to support strategic decision-making and align staffing with organizational growth.
• Manage and develop the Learning and Training Team and oversee relationships with external HR vendors to ensure seamless and compliant operations.

Organizational Culture & Employee Engagement (25%)

• Champion a values-driven, inclusive work environment across all Emancipet locations, building strong relationships with staff at every level.
• Support the development of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and other initiatives that amplify employee voice and experience and shape inclusive, responsive policies and practices.
• Partner across departments to ensure consistent, equity-centered staff experiences and provide in-person HR leadership through regular travel.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Development (20%)

• Operationalize inclusive recruitment, onboarding and retention processes that attract, retain and support a mission-aligned workforce.
• Strengthen training and workforce development programs that support employee success, growth and leadership development.
• Develop and maintain succession planning tools to intentionally cultivate internal leadership and ensure organizational continuity.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with veterinary programs, workforce development groups and community organizations to position Emancipet as an employer of choice in the field.

Performance Management & Compensation (20%)

• Oversee organization-wide performance management systems that emphasize feedback, development and accountability.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee on matters related to pay strategy and oversight.
• Design and implement competitive, equitable compensation and benefits programs integrating market data and equity audits to ensure internal parity.
• Leverage HR analytics to identify trends, inform performance management and guide recognition, compensation and retention efforts, collaborating across departments to build effective data systems.

Compliance & Risk Management (10%)

• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations across Emancipet’s current and future markets, including federal, state (e.g., TX, PA), and local requirements such as OSHA and veterinary-specific regulations.
• Develop and maintain compliant, current and accessible HR policies and documents, including key resources such as the Employee Handbook.
• Partner cross-functionally — including with Finance and Operations — to identify and mitigate HR-related risk and ensure strong internal controls.
• Embed Emancipet’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity into every facet of HR policy and practice.

What You Bring (and We Know No One Has It All!)

• A deep commitment to Emancipet's mission and values — compassionate service, teaching and learning, optimism and excellence.
• A passion for cultivating inclusive, engaging and values-driven workplace cultures.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in people operations, HR leadership or organizational development, including a minimum of 2 years of managing teams directly.
• Experience leading and mentoring hybrid or remote teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth and accountability.
• Strategic leadership skills and a relationship-centered leadership approach—able to partner with executive leadership, coach managers, collaborate cross-functionally and engage staff at every level while centering compassion, trust and accountability.
• Ability to build strategic partnerships with external stakeholders, from academic programs to community organizations.
• Strong business acumen and a systems-level understanding of how people strategy fuels impact in a mission-driven organization.
• A track record of designing and scaling people strategies and systems that center equity, drive organizational effectiveness and prioritize employee wellbeing.
• Experience strengthening training, onboarding and professional development programs that support individual growth and organizational capacity.
• Experience building and managing competitive, equitable compensation and benefits programs.
• Data-informed decision-making skills with experience using HR analytics to identify trends and strengthen performance, recognition and retention.
• Deep knowledge of employment laws and best practices in HR compliance, employee relations and risk management.

You Don’t Have to Check Every Box! We recognize that candidates bring diverse skills and experiences, and you may be a great fit even if you don’t check every box. If you’re passionate about our mission and confident in your ability to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation & Benefits

The Chief People Officer position is full-time, with a salary range of $130,000-160,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Emancipet offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous Paid Time Off – 9 paid holidays and 120 hours of PTO, increasing with tenure, with the ability to roll over 40 hours each year.
• 401(k) Plan – Emancipet match of 50% of your contribution, up to 5% of your annual pay.
• Health Insurance – 100% Emancipet-paid coverage for employees, spouses and their children, with zero co-pays, zero out-of-pocket expenses, and most common prescriptions at $0.
• Dental Insurance & Vision Insurance – 100% Emancipet-paid coverage for employees, spouses and their children.
• Telehealth – 100% Emancipet-paid telehealth for your entire household, partner/spouse and all children under 26, regardless of insurance status. This provides $0 visits for urgent care, mental and behavioral health care, pharmacy, and health advocacy services.
• Life AD&D Insurance – 100% Emancipet-paid employee coverage, including estate planning service, travel assistance, and identity theft protection.
• Voluntary Benefits – Additional coverage options, including accident, cancer, supplemental life, short- and long-term disability, and more.
• Support for Your Pets- $324 per year in free services or products through Emancipet.

Location

The Chief of People position is based in Austin, TX and operates on a hybrid schedule. The role requires up to 20% travel to our central office in Austin or to clinic locations in Killeen, Austin, Houston or Philadelphia.

Deadline and How to Apply

This position will remain open until filled. We encourage early applications, as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis beginning June 23, 2025.

To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter detailing why you're a great fit for this role via our website: https://emancipet.org/careers/

Want to learn more about our work? Watching our short documentary: https://www.emancipet.org/documentary

Emancipet is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Emancipet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other status protected by law.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone belongs. We actively seek team members who share our values and bring unique perspectives to our mission.

All candidates eligible to work in the United States are encouraged to apply. However, we are unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

#LI-Hybrid

Job Tags

Similar Jobs