Clinical Director – Equine Only Practice (Highlands) – 04/08/26

Irish Equine Veterinary Association; Inverness; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.8 weeks holiday

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family leave

BEVA membership

RCVS fees

Cycle to Work

Green Car scheme

Retail discounts

Pet care discounts

Job summary

inspiring vet care in Inverness invites a senior equine veterinarian to step into Clinical Director (Director of Practice & Clinical Services) overseeing clinical standards, team development and the strategic direction of the Highlands practice.

You'll balance leadership with an active clinical caseload, helping deliver outstanding patient care, drive service development and sustainability while enjoying a unique lifestyle in the Scottish Highlands.

Qualifications

• Senior equine vet with leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead and develop veterinary teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and focus on practice performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical governance, standards and decision-making across the practice.
• Develop clinical protocols, patient pathways and quality improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and support a small, engaged veterinary team.
• Work with operations on workforce planning and long-term sustainability.
• Drive service development, investment priorities and strategic growth.
• Act as senior clinical ambassador for clients and referring practices.
• Maintain an active clinical caseload aligned with your interests.
• Participate in the shared out-of-hours rota.

Skills

Equine veterinary surgeon

Leadership

Commercial awareness

People development

Stakeholder management

Education

CertAVP or equivalent

Job description

Clinical Director – Equine Only Practice (Highlands)

Salary up to £80,000 DOE, Relocation Allowance up to £5,000 & Welcome Bonus up to £5,000.

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK's number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.

This is more than a leadership appointment. It's an opportunity to shape the future of equine veterinary care in one of the UK's most unique regions.

A Rare Leadership Opportunity in the Highlands

Kessock Equine Vets is the only dedicated equine practice in the Highlands, delivering a highly respected 24/7 ambulatory and emergency service to a loyal and diverse client base.

With strong foundations, an excellent reputation and a committed clinical team, the practice is well positioned for its next chapter. We're looking for an experienced equine vet ready to step into a Clinical Director role, taking ownership of clinical standards, team development and the future direction of the practice.

This is a role for someone seeking more than management. It's an opportunity to influence strategy, lead clinical excellence and leave a lasting impact on the practice and the wider equine community.

Practice Highlights

• The only equine-exclusive practice in the Scottish Highlands
• A genuinely hands-on leadership role within a close-knit, experienced team
• Diverse ambulatory and emergency equine caseload
• Opportunity to shape clinical standards, service development and future investment
• Culture built on trust, autonomy and clinical excellence
• Flexible balance of leadership and clinical responsibilities
• Outstanding lifestyle location with access to mountains, coastline and outdoor living

How You'll Make a Difference

As Clinical Director (Director of Practice & Clinical Services), you will lead the clinical and strategic direction of the practice, working closely with the Practice Manager to deliver outstanding patient care, develop a high-performing team and support sustainable practice growth.

You'll play a highly visible leadership role, helping shape the future of the practice while maintaining an active clinical caseload aligned with your interests and expertise.

Working Pattern

• Up to 40 hours per week
• 1 in 4.5 out-of-hours weekends

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical governance, standards and decision-making across the practice
• Develop clinical protocols, patient pathways and quality improvement initiatives
• Mentor and support a small, highly engaged veterinary team
• Work collaboratively on operational performance, workforce planning and long-term sustainability
• Drive service development, investment priorities and strategic growth
• Act as a senior clinical ambassador for clients and referring practices
• Maintain an active clinical caseload aligned with your interests and strengths
• Participate in the shared out-of-hours rota

Lifestyle & Location

Based in Inverness, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, this role offers a rare combination of senior clinical leadership and an exceptional quality of life.

If you value space, spectacular landscapes and outdoor living alongside a rewarding veterinary career, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy both.

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You are a senior clinical leader with strong equine expertise, commercial awareness and a passion for developing people and services. You'll bring:

• Significant experience as an Equine Veterinary Surgeon, ideally with advanced qualifications such as CertAVP or equivalent
• Proven leadership experience with responsibility for supporting and developing veterinary teams
• Strong commercial and financial awareness with an interest in practice performance and sustainability
• The ability to engage, motivate and develop high-performing teams
• Experience contributing to clinical governance, audit and continuous improvement initiatives
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• A collaborative, values-led leadership style with a commitment to exceptional patient and client care

How We'll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we're committed to supporting you in a senior clinical leadership role. When you join us, you'll benefit from:

• A senior leadership position with genuine autonomy and influence over the future direction of the practice
• Clear career pathways into wider clinical and operational leadership opportunities
• Ongoing leadership development and access to the inspiring vet care Academy
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on clinical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.8 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• BEVA membership, VDS cover and RCVS fees
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

We're committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.

Whether you're looking to shape the future of an established equine practice or take the next step in your leadership career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

£0 - £80,000 a year

Up to £80,000 DOE