Clinical Director or Practice Director

Southdown Veterinary Group; North East; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RCVS & VDS fees paid in full

Generous CPD allowance

Health cash plan

Staff pet care discounts

Job summary

Southdown Veterinary Group is seeking a Clinical Director or Practice Director to join the team in Annfield Plain on a fixed-term contract. This key leadership role focuses on driving high-quality, patient-centred care and supporting operational performance.

The ideal candidate will be a Senior Veterinary Surgeon, responsible for clinical excellence and team mentoring, or a Practice Director with a commercial focus to enhance overall business performance.

Qualifications

• Must be an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon.
• Strong clinical and people leadership skills required.
• Passionate about developing others and mentoring team.

Responsibilities

• Drive high-quality, patient-centred care.
• Oversee complex cases and ensure best practices.
• Lead and engage teams, optimizing resources.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical Excellence

Mentoring

Commercial Strategy

Education

Senior Veterinary Surgeon

Job description

Clinical Director or Practice Director, Ashfield Vets, Annfield Plain, County Durham. Fixed term contract.

We are seeking a Clinical Director or Practice Director to join us on a fixed-term contract. This key leadership role will drive high-quality, patient-centred care while supporting operational performance and continuous service improvement.

Rota

Full time 40 hours a week. If you are seeking part time hours, please contact us to discuss options.

About the Practice

Become part of our journey at our recently relocated site, ideally located with easy access to both historic Durham City and the vibrant city of Newcastle.

Our practice is purpose built for high quality care, featuring three consultation rooms plus a dedicated nurse/cat consultation room, separate cat and dog waiting areas, an in‑house pharmacy, and a state‑of‑the‑art prep room and theatre. We also offer onsite parking with an electric car charging point.

You will be supported by an experienced team of two vets, four RVNs plus a PCA, SVN, reception team, and a Practice Manager who all contribute to smooth day‑to‑day running. Our RVN team are proactive with Schedule 3 and enthusiastic about running clinics, alongside nurse consults, they deliver geriatric and weight clinics. Teamwork is central to how we work. We discuss cases frequently to achieve the best outcomes, and we maintain a friendly, caring, well‑organised environment.

About You

We are seeking to appoint either a Clinical Director or a Practice Director, offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join our team in a pivotal role.

As a Clinical Director, you will be an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon, providing strong clinical and people leadership. You will lead on clinical excellence, oversee complex cases, and ensure best practice in line with RCVS and Clinical Governance standards. Passionate about developing others, you will mentor and support your team while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and delivering outstanding patient and client care.

Alternatively, as a Practice Director, you will be a commercially focused and strategic leader responsible for the overall operational and financial performance of the practice. Working closely with the Regional Director, you will drive business performance, optimise resources, and support sustainable growth. You will lead and engage teams, champion development, and ensure alignment with company values while enhancing both client and colleague experience.

Our Leadership Values

• Inclusivity – Valuing diverse perspectives and bringing out the best in everyone
• Collaboration – Encouraging open communication and addressing challenges early
• Accountability – Supporting honest conversations through regular feedback
• Role Modelling – Leading with integrity and consistency
• Empathy – Supporting wellbeing while driving high performance

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)
• CVS Pension Scheme
• Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, Advanced Clinical Services Network and Regional Clinical Leads for case support and mentoring
• Health cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and enhanced family leave policies
• Staff pet care discounts – 50% off services, MiPet food and medications

Interested?

Please click Apply Now, upload your CV and we’ll be in touch. For further details or an informal chat, please contact Jim in the recruitment team at [e-mail].

Join us at CVS

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to do their best work. We foster an inclusive and equitable workplace, where diverse perspectives are invited and people feel safe to speak up.

Wellbeing support is always available, from monthly line‑manager check‑ins to our network of 400 Wellbeing Champions, Pastoral Support Vets and personal mentors. We offer leading benefits and policies, such as our Health Shield which provides support for physical and mental health.

Our aim is to free up clinical colleagues to do what they do best, so we offer practices a wide range of operational support. Central expert HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, procurement teams are on hand to support with all aspects relating to the smooth running of each practice.

We prioritise investment in our facilities, delivering significant enhancements across numerous practices through a dedicated multi‑million‑pound improvement fund.

We are based in Annfield Plain, Durham which is commutable from Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton‑on‑Tees, Stanley, Consett, Chester‑le‑Street, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee, Seaham, Gateshead, Washington, Birtley, Blaydon, Ryton, Jarrow, Hebburn, South Shields, North Shields, Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, Houghton‑le‑Spring, Prudhoe, Ponteland, Cramlington, Morpeth, Hexham, Blyth, Ashington, Catchgate, Harelaw (Hare Law), Greencroft, Oxhill, New Kyo, East Kyo, West Kyo, Craghead, The Middles, South Moor, Quaking Houses, Shield Row, Kip Hill, Tanfield, Tanfield Lea, Tantobie, Lanchester, Dipton, Burnhope, Harperley, Maiden Law, Iveston and other locations in the County Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland area.