Clinical Director

Tower Veterinary Group; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Joining bonus

Relocation support

CPD allowance

CPD days

Health plan

Life insurance

Pension

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Tower Vets is seeking a Clinical Director to lead a small animal practice in York, with responsibility for the Fulford main site and branches at Haxby and Acomb. The role combines strategic leadership with a smaller clinical commitment in the initial years, enabling you to shape the practice’s future and culture.

You will lead a warm, collaborative team across three sites, promote clinical excellence, champion staff development, and help grow services such as nurse clinics while maintaining a

Qualifications

• Must be an experienced MRCVS with sound clinical judgment and decision-making authority.
• Willingness to develop leadership, strategic direction and business aspects of the practice.
• Strong communication with colleagues and clients, fostering a supportive team culture.

Responsibilities

• Mentor vets and team leaders, supporting career growth and confidence.
• Create an environment where staff feel heard, valued and able to ask for help.
• Maintain high clinical standards and identify opportunities to improve patient and client care.
• Set clear priorities and translate ideas into practical changes.
• Oversee clinical and operational performance with senior business support.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Strategic thinking

People development

Education

MRCVS qualification

Job description

A team who look after each other. A role where you can help them thrive.

Some teams make you feel welcome from your very first day. At Tower Vets, that warmth comes naturally. Our people care deeply about their patients, their clients and each other, and they're quick to make a new colleague feel part of the team.

We're looking for a Clinical Director who will bring that same kindness to leading the practice. Someone who listens, takes time to understand people and finds satisfaction in helping others grow in confidence and do their best work.

You might already be a Clinical Director, or an experienced vet ready to develop your leadership skills. What matters most is finding the right person for our team: a thoughtful, approachable colleague who will value what makes Tower special and help us build on it.

A practice with roots, and room to grow

Tower Vets has been caring for animals in York since the 1950s. Today, we're a small animal general practice across three sites, with a longstanding reputation for professional care and a family feel.

You'll be based primarily at our main site in Fulford, within easy walking distance of York's beautiful city centre, with overall responsibility for the practice, including our branches at Haxby and Acomb.

We're a welcoming bunch, with a strong sense of looking out for one another, and we want our next Clinical Director to nurture that while helping us take the next steps clinically.

That warmth extends beyond the working day. From dog walks and paddleboarding to taking on the Muddy Dog Challenge together, we enjoy getting outdoors and spending time with each other. Our photos give you a little glimpse of life at Tower - including muddy paws, beach walks and plenty of laughter.

Our work centres on first-opinion general practice, with visiting support for orthopaedics and ultrasound. There's scope to develop how we work, expand our nurse clinics, and support colleagues in building their interests and skills.

Time to lead and make a difference

We've been laying the foundations for the practice's next chapter, strengthening our supportive culture and how we work together. We're now looking for a Clinical Director to build on that progress, bringing clinical direction, fresh ideas and a thoughtful approach to making improvements with the team.

You'll take time to understand what's working well, listen to colleagues and agree clear priorities, helping everyone feel involved and supported as the practice develops. This role has a substantial focus on leadership, strategy and practice development, with a smaller clinical commitment envisaged during the first couple of years to give you the time and space to do this well.

Working alongside our Practice Manager, Head Nurse, Head Receptionist and clinical colleagues, you'll help shape the clinical and operational direction of our three sites. You'll also have an experienced colleague in Nigel, our former practice owner, who works at Haxby and brings a wealth of knowledge about Tower, its clients and the local community.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting, mentoring and developing our vets and team leaders.
• Creating an environment where people feel heard, valued and comfortable asking for help.
• Maintaining high clinical standards and identifying opportunities to improve patient and client care.
• Setting clear priorities and helping the team turn ideas into practical changes.
• Overseeing the practice's operational and financial performance, with support from the wider business.

You'll have autonomy to shape the practice's future, supported by your Business Development Director and VetPartners' central teams, with expertise available when you need it.

The person behind the title

You'll be an experienced, confident MRCVS who can make sound clinical decisions and support colleagues with theirs.

Just as importantly, you'll be a compassionate leader who takes pride in the team's success and is someone people feel comfortable talking to. You'll communicate clearly with colleagues and clients, listen carefully and offer encouragement, while setting expectations and following things through. You'll also be able to prioritise, delegate and help others build the confidence to take responsibility.

Previous leadership experience would be valuable, but you don't need to have held a Clinical Director title. If you have a natural affinity for supporting people and want to develop the strategic and business side of your career, we'd love to hear from you. Training and support will be provided.

Make yourself at home in York

Thinking about a move? York offers plenty to enjoy, from its historic streets and independent shops to cafés, restaurants and riverside walks.

Further afield, the Yorkshire countryside, North York Moors and coast offer plenty of inspiration for days off, whether you're happiest walking the dogs, exploring somewhere new or heading to the beach.

With relocation support available and a team who are quick to make new colleagues feel welcome, we'd love to help you picture your next chapter here.

A working pattern that works for you

We're happy to discuss different hours and working patterns. Our surgeries are open Monday to Friday, 8.30 am-7 pm, and on Saturday mornings, with out-of-hours care provided by York Emergency Vets.

We can talk through how the leadership and clinical elements of the role could fit together, alongside a working pattern that works for you.

Salary and benefits

• £65,000-£85,000 DOE.
• Joining bonus available.
• Relocation allowance and support available.
• £1,750 clinical CPD allowance and five CPD days.
• Additional leadership training, separate from your clinical CPD.
• 6.6 weeks' annual leave, including bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell holiday.
• Health Cash Plan, discounted private medical insurance and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Workplace pension and life insurance.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Access to wider training and career development through VetPartners.

Could you see yourself here?

If you'd enjoy getting to know a lovely team, helping people flourish and shaping the future of an established York practice, we'd love to talk.

Whether you're exploring your first Clinical Director role or considering your next move, please get in touch for a friendly, informal conversation.