Referral Relationship Manager

The Referral Relationship Manager (RRM) serves as a key liaison between Premier Veterinary Group- Chicago and the referring veterinary community, driving hospital growth through strategic relationship management, outreach, and engagement.

This role is responsible for cultivating strong partnerships with referring veterinarians and key decision-makers, while also leading the planning and execution of referring DVM and client engagement events, marketing initiatives, and community partnerships. The RRM leverages data, insights, and relationship-building to improve referral performance, enhance the referral experience, and support hospital growth.

Working collaboratively with hospital leadership, marketing partners, and cross-functional teams, this position balances field engagement, strategic planning, event execution, and administrative coordination in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.

This position has a dual reporting structure, reporting directly to the Referral Group Manager (functional manager) with a secondary reporting line to the local Hospital Director.

Compensation & Schedule

Annual Base Pay: $70K–75K annually
Incentive Plan: Eligible to participate based on compliance and performance standards; participation does not guarantee payout.
Schedule: ~40+ hours/week, including ~3.5 days in the field engaging referring practices and 1.5 administrative day at the hospital or home office.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Referral Growth & Relationship Management

• Develop and execute referral outreach strategies aligned with hospital performance goals and market opportunities.
• Build, maintain, and grow strong relationships with referring veterinarians, practice managers, and key decision-makers.
• Maintain a consistent engagement cadence through in-person visits, phone, email, and events, tailoring outreach to individual practice needs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the referring community, ensuring timely, professional communication.

Event Planning & Community Engagement

• Plan and execute CE programs, symposiums, hospital tours, open houses, and referring practice recognition events.
• Track event performance, attendance, referral impact, and ROI.
• Manage and grow community partnerships, including shelters, emergency responders, and local organizations.

Marketing Strategy & Execution

• Partner with hospital leadership and marketing teams to develop and execute campaigns promoting services, clinicians, and hospital capabilities.
• Leverage centralized marketing resources to support local growth initiatives.
• Collaborate on development and distribution of marketing collateral and engagement campaigns.

Data, Analytics & Business Planning

• Utilize CRM systems, referral dashboards, and analytics tools to track performance and inform strategy.
• Develop and execute a quarterly Joint Business Plan (JBP) outlining growth objectives and key initiatives.
• Analyze market trends and competitive landscape to identify opportunities and risks.
• Maintain deep knowledge of hospital services, specialties, and differentiators.

Referral Process Optimization

• Monitor and evaluate the referral experience to identify gaps and improve service delivery.
• Partner with hospital leadership to resolve issues and enhance referring veterinarian satisfaction.

Administrative & Operational Responsibilities

• Manage referral engagement and marketing budgets and track performance against plan.
• Maintain accurate activity tracking, reporting, and documentation.
• Participate in hospital workflow shadowing (initial and ongoing) to stay current on services and operations.
• Support hospital leadership and growth initiatives as needed.

QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• Mission-Driven: Inspired to improve the lives of pets and people.
• Grit & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High Standards: Demonstrates accountability and pride in high-quality work.
• Curiosity: Seeks continuous learning and creative solutions.
• Self-Starter: Works independently and drives results.
• Relationship-Oriented: Builds trust and communicates effectively.
• Growth Mindset: Coachable, adaptable, and committed to improvement.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and active auto insurance.
• Reliable personal transportation with ability to track mileage for reimbursement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and hospital activities.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred (or equivalent experience).
• 3–5 years of experience in roles involving relationship management, sales, marketing, customer engagement, or business development.
• Veterinary or animal health industry experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills across in-person, phone, email, and virtual platforms.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, reporting tools, and data-driven decision-making.

ABOUT PREMIER VETERINARY GROUP, CHICAGO

Our hospital in Chicago is equipped similarly to human hospitals, offering state-of-the-art surgery suites, ICU capabilities, and a full-service in-house laboratory. We provide advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and treatment for complex and chronic conditions, along with support from a dedicated veterinary social worker.

Premier Veterinary Group Chicago delivers the highest quality emergency and specialty care 24/7/365. Our team is deeply committed to the bond between pets and their families and provides referral services across specialties including Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, and more.

Learn more at: https://www.premiervets.net/

Ethos Veterinary Health is at the forefront of innovation and world-class medicine. As the premier network of over 140 specialty and emergency hospitals across North America, Ethos brings together a dedicated community of more than 1,500 specialized doctors providing care for nearly 2 million pets annually. The integrated and collaborative network of veterinary professionals utilize state-of-the-art technology and a scientific, evidence-based approach to deliver compassionate, unparalleled care and rewarding careers. Committed to revolutionizing veterinary medicine, Ethos sets the standard in veterinary excellence. Discover more at EthosVet.com. 

Ethos Veterinary Health offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees.  The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process.  For positions based in Colorado, Ethos Veterinary Health provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act. 

Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.