Director, People & Culture

ABOUT LAKEFIELD VETERINARY GROUP We believe exceptional veterinary care starts with exceptional people. We partner with hospitals across the country to preserve what makes each practice special - its people, culture, and connection to community - while providing the operational support, resources, and strategic leadership that allow teams to thrive. As we grow, we remain committed to creating an environment where team members feel respected, supported, and empowered to deliver outstanding care. Our Values Our culture is built on five core values that guide us in the way we work: Respect Learning Do the right thing Wow service Fun We expect all team members to actively demonstrate these values in their daily work and interactions. Position Summary The Director, People & Culture (P&C) serves as a trusted partner to business leaders and a key steward of Lakefield’s culture, team member experience, and people practices. This role is responsible for leading People Operations, Employee Relations, Benefits - Total Rewards, and our Regional HR Business Partner model while ensuring our hospitals receive consistent, practical, and people-centered support. Success in this role requires balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution, translating business needs into scalable people solutions that strengthen culture, drive consistency, and support organizational growth. The Director will spend meaningful time building relationships with hospital leaders and team members, developing a deep understanding of field operations and ensuring P&C remains closely connected to the realities of the business. This leader succeeds by balancing a strong field orientation with operational excellence while creating the people processes, tools, and support structures that enable hospital leaders to focus on delivering exceptional patient care and team member experiences. What you’ll do (Key Responsibilities) People Operations & Compliance Lead People Operations, ensuring accurate and compliant administration of payroll, HR systems, policies, and employee lifecycle processes. Partner with Payroll and Finance teams to ensure timely, accurate payroll processing and continuous improvement to ensure data integrity and controls. Partner closely with the Chief People Officer on identifying workforce needs and developing practical solutions for our Operations and Medicine teams. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws while balancing business needs and team member experience. Identify opportunities to streamline and strengthen people processes, creating consistency and scalability across a growing multi-state organization. Support Talent Acquisition processes and transactions. Total Rewards Oversee administration of Lakefield's benefits programs, wellness offerings, leave programs, and employee experience initiatives. Oversee compensation and total rewards programs, including market benchmarking, pay practices, annual compensation planning, and employee communication. Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend enhancements that support attraction, retention, and engagement. Employee Relations Serve as the organization's senior Employee Relations resource, providing guidance and consultation on complex workplace matters. Oversee investigations, performance management consultation, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and workplace risk assessments. Coach field leadership through challenging people situations using sound judgment, consistency, and an understanding of each hospital's unique culture, team dynamics, and business needs. Promote a culture of accountability, respect, and trust while mitigating organizational risk. Regional HR Business Partner Leadership Develop Lakefield's Regional HR Business Partner model at scale, in partnership with the Senior Manager, People & Culture, ensuring consistent support and partnership across hospitals and regions. Create the frameworks for coaching and the professional development of…