Demo

Senior Director, Compensation

VCA Animal Hospitals
Los Angeles, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 11/23/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/23/2026

The Sr. Director, Compensation role is responsible for compensation and rewards strategy and execution for VCA in collaboration and alignment with Mars Veterinary Health Total Rewards team and policies. The Senior Director will develop and oversee the VCA Production based commission program for our network of Veterinarians.  This role will be a strategic and collaborative partner ensuring rewards programs are competitive, equitable, and aligned with both business goals and Mars cultural values.

This role requires a blend of analytical expertise, stakeholder partnership, and a deep understanding of multi-unit operations. It has dual reporting into the MVH Total Rewards team to execute Mars signature processes across MVH and deliver impactful, data-informed compensation programs across VCA in alignment with the overall MVH strategy and direction. Within the VCA Business Unit, this role will work closely with the VP P&O, VCA, Finance, and Field Leadership to inform the design and deployment of compensation strategy and policies. This role may require some travel.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Compensation Program Leadership

  • In partnership across the Mars Veterinary Health businesses, design and manage compensation programs for VCA, including base pay and incentive plans

  • Lead annual compensation planning and deployment cycles for VCA (merit, bonus, living wage, market adjustments) with a focus on transparency and equity, and in alignment with the MVH leadership team and Mars signature processes.

  • Conduct market benchmarking and job evaluations to ensure competitive pay practices across VCA roles in alignment with Mars Veterinary Health policies and in coordination with the overall MVH businesses.

  • Partner with VCA leadership to advise on compensation decisions, pay equity, and emerging trends.

  • Serve as key stakeholder and business unit representative across other total rewards initiatives and workstreams throughout the Mars ecosystem.

  • Implement and execute compensation governance and process protocols consistent with Mars rewards roadmap as well as business unit financial objectives

DVM Commission Strategy

  • Develop and optimize commission structures for veterinary doctors at VCA in coordination with Mars Veterinary Health.

  • Collaborate with Field Leadership and Hospital Leadership to ensure commission plans are motivating, sustainable, and aligned with clinical excellence.

  • Partner with Finance on all accounting of DVM Commission plans.

  • Monitor and analyze commission performance, ROI, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

  • Serve as a subject matter expert on DVM compensation models, including production-based and hybrid structures.

Analytics & Governance

  • Lead compensation and commission analytics, modeling, and reporting to support strategic decision-making.

  • Ensure compliance with employment laws, internal governance, and Mars standards.

  • Maintain documentation and controls for all compensation and commission programs.

Leadership & Collaboration

  • Manage and mentor a team of compensation professionals.

  • Partner with P&O BPs, Talent Acquisition, Finance, and Clinical leaders across VCA.

  • Work in coordination with Mars Veterinary Health Total Rewards to inform and deploy.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree required;

  • CCP or other professional compensation certification preferred.

  • 15 experience in human resources with progressive leadership w/in compensation or total rewards.

  • Proven experience designing and managing performance-based incentive programs for a dispersed workforce.

  • Demonstrated ability to implement process, governance and controls across a multi-site environment.

  • Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

  • Human Resources

  • Strategic Insights

  • People Leadership

  • Influencing w/o Authority

  • Process and Analytical rigor

Additional Info: Compensation is negotiable based on education, experience, and other relevant credentials. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $217,000 - $261,000. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only.

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com

Salary : $217 - $261

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Senior Director, Compensation?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Senior Director, Compensation career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$180,612 - $237,324
Income Estimation: 
$210,054 - $287,901
Income Estimation: 
$210,054 - $287,901
Income Estimation: 
$247,481 - $355,929
Income Estimation: 
$180,612 - $237,324
Income Estimation: 
$210,054 - $287,901
Income Estimation: 
$97,381 - $120,512
Income Estimation: 
$137,761 - $178,429
Income Estimation: 
$124,396 - $155,584
Income Estimation: 
$188,987 - $257,160
Income Estimation: 
$135,846 - $180,127
Income Estimation: 
$180,612 - $237,324
Income Estimation: 
$188,987 - $257,160
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at VCA Animal Hospitals

  • VCA Animal Hospitals Portland, OR
  • VCA North Portland Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Certified Veterinary Technician to join our Hospital! Location : 3000 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97217 ... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • VCA Animal Hospitals Pottstown, PA
  • Seeking a Veterinary Technician or experienced Veterinary Assistant full and part positions available! Location: 1424 Ridge Rd, Pottstown, PA 19465 Compens... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • VCA Animal Hospitals Latham, NY
  • Join us as an Associate Veterinarian at VCA Shaker and you’ll quickly discover that you’re well supported by world-class medicine, technology, facilities a... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • VCA Animal Hospitals Sacramento, CA
  • VCA Country Oaks Animal Hospital is adding a Veterinary Assistant to our growing team! Location : 4636 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95864 Compensation : ... more
  • 14 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Senior Director, Compensation jobs in the Los Angeles, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Lensa Los Angeles, CA
  • Lensa is a career site that helps job seekers find great jobs in the US. We are not a staffing firm or agency. Lensa does not hire directly for these jobs,... more
  • 19 Days Ago

  • Vicar Operating, Inc. dba VCA Los Angeles, CA
  • The Sr. Director, Compensation role is responsible for compensation and rewards strategy and execution for VCA in collaboration and alignment with Mars Vet... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!