Lead Veterinarian – Hunter Equine Centre

Apiam Animal Health; Scone; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully equipped vehicle

Generous CPD package

VSB registration + $1,000 annual pro.‑

Leadership Development Program

Job summary

Hunter Equine Centre, located beside Scone Racecourse in the Upper Hunter region, seeks a Lead Veterinarian to guide its growing equine service. You will oversee clinical operations across ambulatory, stud work, racetrack and performance horse cases, mentoring veterinarians and shaping the service's future.

The role offers a full-time leadership opportunity with a competitive package and the chance to work with successful thoroughbreds and sport horses in a dynamic team.

Qualifications

• Registered veterinarian, or eligible for full NSW registration.
• Minimum 5 years of equine veterinary experience across ambulatorial caseload.
• Experience in racetrack, yearling sales, stud or performance horse work is highly regarded.
• Strong client communication and decision-making skills.
• Interest in clinical leadership, mentoring and team development.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional management and oversight of clinical operations.
• Lead ambulatory equine practice, stud work, racetrack and performance horse cases.
• Conduct consultations and procedures to high standards.
• Participate in financial planning, performance reviews and operational planning with management.
• Mentor veterinarians and uphold high clinical standards and service delivery.
• Build and maintain relationships with breeding, racing and sport horse clients.
• Support a sustainable afterhours roster with fair call-out compensation.

Skills

Equine veterinary experience

Job description

Generous Salary Package

Full-time - leadership opportunity

Hunter Equine Centre is seeking a Lead Veterinarian to guide our growing team and help shape the future of our highly regarded equine service.

Located beside Scone Racecourse, Hunter Equine Centre is a dynamic team of passionate equine veterinarians servicing the Scone and Upper Hunter region. We provide a comprehensive and personalised ambulatory equine service across reproductive management, foaling, yearling sales, racehorse care and elite sport horse work. With long-established relationships across the Upper Hunter breeding and racing community, and a growing sport horse clientele, this is an opportunity to lead a respected service with strong foundations and exciting potential.

This role would suit a confident and experienced equine veterinarian who enjoys clinical variety, values strong client relationships and is ready to take on a leadership role across ambulatory practice, yearling sales support, racetrack and performance horse work. You will have the opportunity to mentor veterinarians, support high clinical standards and contribute to the continued growth and direction of the service.

This is an opportunity to inherit a thriving clinic with strong foundations and continue building on its success.

About the role

As a clinical lead, you will be responsible for the professional management and oversight of all clinical operations.

• Full-time position
• Provide clinical leadership across ambulatory equine practice, stud work, racetrack and performance horse cases
• Undertake daily veterinary clinical tasks including consultations and procedures to a high standard
• Participate in financial and budget activities, undertake performance reviews and assist in operational planning in collaboration with the clinic coordinator and management team
• Mentor and support veterinarians while helping maintain strong clinical standards and service delivery
• Work closely with an established client base across breeding, racing and sport horse enterprises and continue building strong relationships
• Sustainable shared afterhours roster: generally 1-in-2 during breeding season and 1-in-4 in the off-season, with paid out-of-hours call-out fees and time off in lieu during busy periods

About you

• Registered veterinarian, or eligible for full registration, in NSW
• Strong equine veterinary experience (minimum 5 years) with confidence across a broad ambulatory caseload
• Experience in racetrack, yearling sales, stud or performance horse work highly regarded
• An interest in sports medicine, lameness investigation or diagnostic imaging would be highly beneficial
• A practical, client-focused approach with excellent communication and decision-making skills
• Exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail and adherence to high standards of care
• A sincere interest in clinical leadership, mentoring and helping build a collaborative, high-performing team
• Previous leadership experience is highly regarded, however we would also welcome applications from experienced senior veterinarians looking to step into their first formal leadership role
• Step into a genuine leadership role within a respected equine practice in the heart of the Hunter Valley
• Work with some of the most successful and well-managed thoroughbred and performance horses in the region
• Enjoy a varied and rewarding caseload across breeding, racing, sport horse and ambulatory practice
• Access opportunities to expand your experience through our network of equine clinics in Queensland and Victoria
• Play a key role in mentoring veterinarians, developing the team and shaping the future of the service

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive remuneration packages - up to $200,000 commensurate with experience
• Generous afterhours compensation with strong additional earning potential
• Fully equipped vehicle
• Generous CPD package
• VSB registration + $1,000 annual professional membership support
• Leadership support through Apiam's Leadership Development Program and peer leadership network

If you are an experienced equine veterinarian looking for a leadership role with clinical variety, excellent clients, scope to develop your interests and the opportunity to guide a growing team, we would love to hear from you.