Description
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the national not-for-profit association established in 1863 & representing over 108,000 veterinarians working in private & corporate practice, government, industry, academia, & uniformed services, is seeking an Assistant Director to join our Animal Welfare Division. Structured to work for its members, AVMA acts as a collective voice for its membership & for the profession. Our mission is to lead the profession by advocating for our members & advancing the science & practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal & human health.
Reporting to the Division Director, the Assistant Director helps support the association’s animal welfare-related advocacy efforts. More specifically, the Assistant Director assists the Director, other Division staff, & AVMA volunteer entities in developing & implementing AVMA policies & objectives related to the welfare of farm animals with a species emphasis including, but not limited to, cattle, swine, small ruminants, & camelids. They will facilitate & provide scientific staff support for assigned governance entities that develop & recommend proposed policy for the AVMA, & oversee approved programs & projects designed to achieve the association’s objectives related to the welfare of farmed animals. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with volunteer leadership & other staff to identify, research, & analyze related issues of importance to the profession, & assists in the development & maintenance of educational & informational materials & programs for use by veterinarians, governmental agencies, other non-governmental organizations, & the public. The Assistant Director serves as project lead for student & recent graduate educational initiatives related to animal welfare, including the coordination & management of the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest. They also support the Director by providing input & ideas that help achieve the strategic objectives of the Division, within the context of meeting overall objectives for the Public Policy team. Approximately 25% travel.
Deadline for application is 11/4/25. Application must include cover letter, resume, recent publications & salary requirements. Submit to: apply@avma.org
The AVMA offers a supportive & flexible hybrid or remote work environment & excellent benefits including heath, dental, vision, life, AD&D, short-term disability, & long-term disability insurance; FSA & HSA plans; 401(k) Plan; generous vacation & sick time; 11 Paid Holidays; Floating Holiday, Paid Parental Leave, an Employee Assistance Program, tuition & professional certification reimbursement, Compensatory Time Off, casual dress, 37.5 hour workweek, Association Forum/ASAE membership, & veterinary pet insurance.
A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $95,000 - $124,000. Compensation decisions take into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, certifications, geographic location, business needs, & organizational policies. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity & consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer.
Visit https://www.avma.org/AVMAcareers
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Requirements
To be successful in this role, you must be highly collaborative & passionate about AVMA’s mission & increasing member satisfaction & engagement. Additional qualifications include:
- DVM/VMD or PhD in animal science, animal welfare, animal behavior, or related field is required; DVM/VMD with additional advanced degree &/or board certification in animal welfare preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of, & expertise in farmed animal welfare issues & science.
- Must be able to synthesize information, & write clearly, logically, & persuasively on complex scientific subjects for scientific & non-scientific audiences.
- Must be able to manage multiple priorities & meet deadlines.
- Must possess excellent interpersonal & communication skills (both written & verbal).
- Must be able to effectively interact & communicate with members of the scientific & non-scientific communities.
- Must be able to organize, plan, & manage group meetings.
- Skilled in facilitation of consensus among multiple perspectives.
- Must be able to function well autonomously & as a team member.
- Familiarity with basic computer software required (e.g., Microsoft Word, Web browsers & search engines, Excel, PowerPoint).
