Clinical Director

CVS Veterinary Group; Basingstoke and Deane; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RCVS & VDS fees paid

CPD allowance & library access

33 days holiday

Relocation package

Vet Oracle & mentoring support

Health plan & EAP

Staff pet discounts

Job summary

Highcroft Veterinary Hospital, part of CVS Veterinary Group, seeks an experienced Clinical Director in Bristol. This leadership role combines clinical oversight with team development in a well-equipped hospital.

You’ll mentor surgeons, oversee First Opinion and MiNightVet teams, manage client relations, and uphold high clinical standards. With market-leading learning and strong support networks, you’ll guide strategic growth, oversee operations, and embed the core values across the hospital.

Qualifications

• This role requires leadership in a hospital setting.
• Mentor and develop surgeons and teams across the hospital.
• Balance clinical excellence with business performance and growth.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality clinical care and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead and support the veterinary team to achieve clinical and commercial outcomes.
• Collaborate with Regional Director and leaders to support practice success.
• Monitor financial performance, KPIs and operational metrics.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new services and growth.
• Promote collaboration and flexible teamwork for patient care.
• Drive clear, consistent communication across the practice.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Client focus

Commercial awareness

Mentoring

Job description

Title: Clinical Director

Practice: Highcroft Veterinary Hospital

Location: Whitchurch, Bristol

Salary: up to £100k FTE - this is subject to experience

Type: Permanent / 40 hours per week

Are you passionate about bringing out the best in people, inspiring and motivating others in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment?

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Highcroft Vet Hospital for an accomplished, innovative, and highly motivated Clinical Director.

At CVS, we put our colleagues first, giving you the support you need to provide the best possible care. From clinical to non-clinical challenges, you'll always have the resources and teams alongside you. We'll be your biggest supporter - it's in our nature.

With market-leading learning, on-the-job training, and collaboration with skilled colleagues, you'll have the tools to grow-whether you're building confidence early in your career or looking to deepen your expertise. From advancing in your current role to exploring new leadership or specialist pathways, we provide the support and opportunities to help you achieve your goals.

Life at Highcroft Whitchurch

Highcroft Vet Hospital is a well-equipped small animal hospital in Whitchurch, Bristol, offering exceptional care for dogs, cats and exotic pets. With advanced facilities including CT imaging, multiple surgical theatres, dedicated wards and separate cat and dog reception areas, we provide a wide range of services from routine healthcare to complex medical and surgical treatments.

Our friendly and experienced team is at the heart of everything we do. We are passionate about delivering outstanding patient care and creating a welcoming environment for both pets and their owners. With advanced certificate holders, our own out-of-hours service, and additional support such as a pet ambulance and chauffeur service, we are committed to going the extra mile for our patients.

As a busy first-opinion hospital, Highcroft offers a varied and rewarding working environment. We are proud of our supportive culture, where teamwork, professional development and a shared love of animals help make Highcroft a special place to work and visit.

Our Vet team includes certificate holders in Surgery, Canine Medicine, Feline Medicine, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Imaging, Exotics, ECC and Dentistry.

Located in Whitchurch, South Bristol, the hospital enjoys excellent transport links and easy access to both the city centre and surrounding countryside. Bristol is a vibrant, diverse city renowned for its culture, green spaces, independent restaurants and excellent quality of life, making it a fantastic place to live and work.

The role

This leadership role is ideal for an experienced veterinary professional with strong people management skills and confidence in emergency medicine, ideally within a hospital environment. You'll support and mentor surgeons, oversee the First Opinion, MiNightVet and Exotics teams, and manage client complaints professionally while ensuring high clinical standards across the hospital.

Based within a well-equipped hospital and supported by a CertAVP led team, this is an excellent opportunity to combine clinical leadership with team development in the vibrant and highly desirable city of Bristol.

As Clinical Director, you'll work closely with our Regional Director and act as a champion for our core values, coaching and supporting colleagues to embed these into everyday practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering high-quality clinical care while driving continuous improvement across the practice.
• Leading and supporting the veterinary team to achieve excellent clinical and commercial outcomes.
• Collaborating closely with the Regional Director and wider business leaders to support practice success.
• Monitoring and interpreting financial performance, KPIs and operational metrics.
• Identifying opportunities to introduce new services and grow the practice.
• Promoting a collaborative and flexible approach across teams to ensure exceptional patient and client care.
• Driving clear and consistent communication throughout the practice.

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking clinical team including vets, RVNs, PCAs, receptionists and administrative support. Our practice has significant potential for growth, and we’re looking for a leader who can help us realise that opportunity.

About you

• Driven by a shared passion to provide the best possible care to animals, committed to delivering outstanding care for patients and clients.
• A natural mentor and team player, supporting, developing and inspiring colleagues to thrive.
• Client-focused, creating positive experiences that build trust and long-lasting relationships.
• An experienced leader, leading by example and acting as a positive role model who embodies our values.
• A strong people leader, able to foster engagement, collaboration and high-performing teams.
• An excellent communicator, building strong relationships with colleagues, clients and stakeholders alike.
• Commercially aware, with the ability to balance clinical excellence with business performance and growth opportunities.

The benefits

• RCVS & VDS fees paid in full
• Generous CPD allowance, BSAVA library access, 450+ courses, and fully funded postgraduate qualifications (CertAVP, PgCert) with tuition, exams, and study leave covered
• Up to 33 days holiday (with option to buy/sell)
• Relocation package and visa fees covered (where applicable)
• Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, Advanced Clinical Services Network and Regional Clinical Leads for case support and mentoringHealth cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and enhanced family leave policies
• Staff pet care discounts - 50% off services, MiPet food and medications