Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Veterinary Operations

Job Description

Position Title: Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Veterinary Operations

Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - On-site + Remote

Contract Start: January 1, 2026

Project Completion: April 15, 2026

Duration: Approximately 4 months (Full-time engagement)

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Veterinary Operations will provide specialized expertise in veterinary hospital and clinic operations to inform the planning, design, and execution of the Operational Planning Project. The SME will assess current workflows, advise on spatial utilization, and guide the development of practical, compliant, and efficient facility plans that align with both AAHA and SVMA standards. This is a single-individual engagement for the full contract duration—substitutions will not be accepted. The SME will work collaboratively with university stakeholders, architects, and the Organizational Change Management (OCM) team to ensure seamless operational continuity throughout the renovation phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze existing veterinary operational processes to identify efficiency, compliance, and spatial improvement opportunities.


• Advise on spatial layouts, functional adjacencies, and equipment placement for optimized workflow.


• Develop phasing and decanting strategies to maintain uninterrupted clinical services during renovations.


• Provide subject matter guidance to support facility design compliance with AAHA and SVMA standards.


• Collaborate closely with the OCM professional to identify and mitigate operational risks.


• Contribute to operational readiness and transition planning to ensure continuity of veterinary education and services.


• Attend all on-site meetings and workshop sessions as defined by the project schedule.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in veterinary hospital or clinic operations and facility planning, outside the University of Saskatchewan.


• Demonstrated knowledge of AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) and SVMA (Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association) standards and guidelines.


• Proven experience with renovation projects in occupied veterinary or medical facilities.


• Strong analytical and advisory skills with an understanding of operational workflows and facility design.


• Ability to work independently while collaborating with a multi-disciplinary project team.


• Availability to attend all required on-site workshops and planning sessions throughout the project duration.

Preferred / Asset Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to audit and evaluate functionality of veterinary hospitals or clinics.


• Previous experience managing or advising on occupied renovations while maintaining clinical operations.


• Strong ability to interpret and align operational and architectural planning requirements.


• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.


• Ability to understand and guide solutions for complex operational schedules involving shared or overlapping resources.


• Experience collaborating with higher education or veterinary institutions.


• Proven ability to balance regulatory compliance with operational practicality.

Key Skills

• Veterinary Operations & Workflow Optimization


• Facility Planning & Design Advisory


• Spatial & Equipment Layout Planning


• Phasing & Decanting Strategy Development


• Compliance with AAHA / SVMA Standards


• Operational Risk Mitigation


• Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication


• Occupied Renovation Support


• Operational Audit & Analysis


• Transition and Readiness Planning