POSITION DESCRIPTION
Company: COVE Animal Health
Role: Head of Human Resources
Location: Northeast
COMPANY OVERVIEW
COVE Animal Health, backed by strategic healthcare investment firm Chicago Pacific Founders, is a rapidly growing, comprehensive veterinary care provider serving the Northeast. With a network of hospitals offering primary care, specialty services, urgent care, and 24-hour emergency care, COVE is committed to delivering exceptional medical care for pets and superior customer service for owners. The company's integrated approach encompasses primary care, emergency care, and advanced specialties such as surgery, neurology, oncology, and care for avian and exotic animals, all delivered by a collaborative team of board-certified specialists, emergency doctors, general practice doctors, and skilled support staff. Driven by a mission to elevate the standard of veterinary care, COVE combines cutting-edge medical expertise with compassionate service, positioning itself as a leader in the evolving landscape of animal healthcare.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Human Resources Leader is a senior executive responsible for leading COVE Animal Health’s people strategy and HR function during a critical phase of growth. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer, executive leadership team, and regional Group Presidents to support a multi-site, multi-state veterinary platform with a clinician-led operating model.
This leader will serve as both a strategic advisor and a hands-on operator, overseeing centralized HR shared services while supporting field leaders in a matrixed environment. A key priority is translating COVE’s mission, vision, and core values into clear expectations, systems, and behaviors that drive accountability, performance, and a strong, unified culture across the organization.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES
People Strategy, Culture, and Organizational Development
- Partner with executive leadership to embed COVE’s mission, vision, and core values across the organization.
- Ensure values are reflected in hiring practices, performance management, leadership behaviors, and accountability frameworks.
- Lead culture and change management initiatives that support organizational maturity while preserving local leadership and clinical autonomy.
- Design and implement leadership development, learning, and performance management programs.
HR Operating Model & Field Partnership
- Lead a hybrid HR operating model that includes centralized shared services and regional HR Business Partners aligned to Group Presidents.
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with Group Presidents and field leaders.
- Serve as a senior advisor and escalation point for complex employee relations, organizational design, and workforce matters.
Talent, Workforce, and Succession Planning
- Oversee talent acquisition, onboarding, retention, and succession planning for clinical and non-clinical roles.
- Partner with medical and operational leaders to support clinician pipeline initiatives, including externships, internships, and residency programs.
- Develop workforce planning strategies aligned with COVE’s growth and integration objectives.
HR Operations, Benefits, and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, regulations, and ethical standards across a multi-state footprint.
- Oversee employee benefits programs, vendor relationships, and open enrollment processes.
- Provide executive-level oversight of HR policies, procedures, and risk management.
Analytics, Systems, and Continuous Improvement
- Leverage workforce data, analytics, and HR systems to inform decision-making and identify trends.
- Establish goals, metrics, and operating rhythms to drive continuous improvement and enhance employee experience.
Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop the HR organization, including centralized HR functions and HR leaders in the field.
- Set clear priorities, expectations, and accountability across the HR team.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Advanced degree or professional HR certification preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior leadership roles within multi-site healthcare services organizations, ideally PE-backed.
- Demonstrated success operating in matrixed environments with shared services and strong field leadership.
- Experience supporting provider-led or clinician-heavy organizations such as veterinary, dental, vision, specialty healthcare, or similar settings.
- Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.
- Strong leadership presence with credibility across executive, clinical, and operational stakeholders.
- Analytical and problem-solving capabilities with experience using data to inform HR decisions.
- Deep knowledge of employment law, HR systems, and best practices in complex, multi-state environments.