Veterinary Emergency Group

Senior Director, Legal Counsel

Veterinary Emergency Group • $265K — $330K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • J.D. from an accredited law school and active license to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
  • 7+ years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years in-house in healthcare, veterinary, or a high-growth environment.
  • Strong proficiency in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and advising on employment law.
  • Familiarity with compliance frameworks, data privacy laws, and multi-state/multi-country regulations.
  • Practical, business-oriented mindset with a focus on clarity, speed, and partnership.
  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, thriving in a collaborative, in-person culture.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to business and clinical teams, delivering proactive, business-minded legal guidance.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with a balance of speed, clarity, and protection.
  • Support corporate governance and entity management for U.S. and Canadian operations.
  • Partner with the People team on employment law and investigations, ensuring compliance and company culture.
  • Enhance and scale compliance programs across data privacy, regulations, and ethics.
  • Collaborate with leaders in Operations, Growth, HR, IT, and Marketing to align legal strategy with business goals.
  • Design tools and templates to help teams work quickly within legal frameworks.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits starting on day one, including free therapy or counseling access.
  • Paid parental leave of up to 10 weeks at 100% salary; inclusive fertility and family-building care.
  • Unlimited PTO for vacation or sick days as needed.
  • Generous employee referral program encouraging team growth.
  • Casual office attire and a pet-friendly workplace, with perks like free food and lunches twice a week.
  • Company laptop and monthly cell phone reimbursement.
Full Job Description
THE JOB

At VEG, we find a way to say YES-and this role brings that mindset to how our Legal team at VEGquarters (VQ) helps leaders across VEG make sound decisions and keep important work moving.

As Senior Director, Legal Counsel, you'll work with leaders across the business to understand what they're trying to accomplish, identify the legal risks and considerations that matter, and give clear recommendations they can act on. You'll own complex matters across commercial contracts, employment, corporate and governance, compliance, privacy, regulatory, and other legal issues that come with running and growing VEG.

You'll help create a Legal experience where people understand their options, know what you recommend, and can move forward with confidence. That means knowing when a risk truly matters, when something can move, when deeper review is needed, and how to find a workable path forward whenever one exists.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Strategic Legal Partnership: Serve as a trusted advisor to VEG's business and clinical teams by delivering proactive, business-minded legal guidance that enables smart, fast decision-making.
  • Commercial Excellence: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts across vendors, technologies, and services ensuring a balance of speed, clarity, and protection.
  • Corporate Governance: Support entity management and corporate governance for VEG's growing U.S. and Canadian footprint, advising on key strategic and cross-functional initiatives.
  • Compliance Leadership: Enhance and scale compliance programs across data privacy, regulatory frameworks, and ethics-driving a culture of integrity and accountability.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with leaders across Operations, Growth, HR, IT, and Marketing to align legal strategy with business priorities.
  • Process and Playbook Development: Design repeatable tools, templates, and training that help teams move quickly and confidently within clear legal guardrails.


WHAT YOU NEED
  • J.D. from an accredited law school and active license to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
  • 7+ years of relevant experience, including at least 2 years in-house (healthcare, veterinary, or high-growth environment preferred).
  • Strong experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and advising on employment matters.
  • Familiarity with compliance frameworks, data privacy, and multi-state/multi-country regulations.
  • Practical, business-oriented mindset with a focus on clarity, speed, and partnership.
  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills; thrives in a collaborative, in-person culture.
  • 4 days in office required; HQ located in White Plains, NY.


WHO YOU ARE
  • Empathetic, instinctively taking a people-centric approach, whether supporting your colleagues or making an effort to understand different perspectives
  • Have a sense of humility; acknowledging mistakes, sharing credit with others, and lifting up your team's' accomplishments
  • Feel a strong sense of ownership over your work, taking responsibility for outcomes and staying committed to achieving long-term, impactful results
  • Curious by nature; you ask insightful questions and continuously seek out opportunities to learn and grow your skills and knowledge


HOW WE INVEST IN YOU
  • Competitive Compensation ($265,000 - $330,000) + bonus + benefits.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits that start on day one, and access to free therapy or counseling
  • Paid parental leave, up to 10 weeks at 100% of regular salary, and offering inclusive fertility and family-building care for all types of families
  • Unlimited PTO to use for vacation or sick days-however you need it!
  • Generous employee referral program, so our awesome people can bring in more awesome people.
  • And the little (big) things, like casual office attire, ability to bring your fur baby to work, cool VEG swag, food in the fridge for when you're hungry and free lunches twice a week!!
  • Company laptop and a monthly cell phone reimbursement


BETTER TOGETHER: WHY IN-PERSON MATTERS AT VEG HQ

Our hospitals thrive on in-person collaboration, and VQ is no different. Time in the office sparks stronger connections, meaningful conversations, and better results-all bringing our core values to life. We prioritize being present because our values are best achieved side by side. Plus, we make getting here easy with free parking and a shuttle from the White Plains Metro-North station.

About Veterinary Emergency Group

Veterinary Emergency Group is the veterinary emergency care, that provides emergency and urgent care for pets, also it open nights, weekends, and holidays to help with all of your pet’s emergencies, provides animals and their families with timely medical care for acute problems at times when they need it.

Veterinary Emergency Group Careers

There has never been a better time to join the team at Veterinary Emergency Group—the leading network of emergency veterinary clinics.

Work You’ll Do

Join Veterinary Emergency Group’s top-tier team to assist in transforming pet care across the nation. This is an opportunity to be part of a movement that values innovation, leadership, and professional growth. Lead in a unique role within the veterinary industry, at the crossroads of advanced veterinary care and exceptional service delivery. Work alongside a team of skilled professionals dedicated to revolutionizing emergency veterinary services. Engage in a culture that celebrates diversity and fosters continuous professional development. Collaborate with the largest group of emergency veterinary experts, enhancing job opportunities through shared knowledge and expansive networking.

Introducing the Veterinary Emergency Group Professional Pathways

The team is building a leading career development pathway to help veterinary professionals master their skills in emergency care.

Do Innovative Work

Be part of a group that pioneers advancements in veterinary medicine with over 2,000 dedicated professionals at the intersection of technology, medical expertise, and compassionate care.

Drive Veterinary Innovation

Deliver targeted solutions and exceptional care through a depth and breadth of medical experience and innovation that’s second to none.

Be Part of a Great Team

Work with cutting-edge veterinary technology and harness the capabilities of a team that’s integral to the future of veterinary care.

Future-proof Your Career

Advance your career with limitless opportunities supported by unmatched training, development, and certification programs.

Explore

Discover how Veterinary Emergency Group leads in applying innovative diagnostic tools and treatments to save lives every day.

The Veterinary Emergency Group Difference

The combined expertise, focus on compassionate care, and a commitment to innovation helps clients and their pets experience better emergency care outcomes. Clients trust Veterinary Emergency Group for new strategies and solutions that drive forward the field of veterinary emergency services.

Stay Connected

Join the Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. Veterinary Emergency Group looks for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. SEARCH VETERINARY EMERGENCY GROUP JOBS

Keep Up to Date

Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the professionals who work at Veterinary Emergency Group.

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251 employees
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