Director of Practice & Clinical Services - Small Animal

Inspiring Vet Care; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD allowance

Care Fund for vets

Mentors and coaches

Private medical insurance

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Inspiring Vet Care in Gateshead is seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to take on the Director of Practice & Clinical Services role on a fixed-term basis for 8-9 months to cover maternity leave, with a path to permanent Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon. The role blends hands-on clinical work with strategic leadership across governance, service development and team performance.

You will mentor colleagues, shape practice standards across multiple sites, participate in clinical governance,

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree and RCVS registration or eligibility.
• Extensive experience in small animal first opinion practice.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical delivery and governance across the practice.
• Mentor and develop veterinary colleagues and supervise teams.
• Drive clinical standards and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with leadership to shape service direction and development.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Clinical governance

Communication

Education

Veterinary degree

RCVS registration

Job description

Salary up to £90,000 DOE, Welcome Bonus up to £10,000 plus Relocation Allowance 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.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon ready to take the next step into leadership. We are seeking a Director of Practice & Clinical Services to join Sheriffs Highway Vets in Gateshead on a fixed-term basis for 8-9 months to cover maternity leave. This unique role offers the opportunity to combine hand-on clinical work with strategic leadership, influencing clinical standards, governance, service development and team performance while continuing to deliver outstanding patient and client care. Working closely with the leadership team, you will help shape the future direction of the practice, mentor and support colleagues, champion clinical excellence, and foster a positive, collaborative culture across the team.

Following the maternity cover period, the successful candidate will transition into a permanent Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon position within the practice. As Clinical Lead, you will continue to drive high clinical standards, support complex case management, lead clinical governance initiatives, mentor and develop veterinary colleagues, and work alongside the wider leadership team to deliver continuous improvement and exceptional outcomes for patients and clients. This is an ideal opportunity for a confident clinician with strong leadership skills who is passionate about developing people, influencing practice standards, and building a rewarding long-term career.

Practice Highlights

• Established four-site small animal practice (Gateshead, Sunderland, Ryton, Whickham)
• Large clinical team of 14 Veterinary Surgeons supported by experienced nursing and support staff
• Strong collaborative culture with a focus on mentoring and knowledge sharing
• Modern diagnostic and surgical facilities including Doppler ultrasound, ECG, digital radiography, dental x-ray, endoscopy, laparoscopy, orthopaedic surgery suite, and in-house laboratory
• Wide and varied first opinion caseload across multiple branches
• Strong support for certificate development and clinical interests across the team

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Senior Veterinary Surgeon, you will play a key role in both clinical delivery and supporting the wider team.

You’ll continue to develop your clinical skills and interests while sharing your knowledge and experience with colleagues, contributing positively to the clinical culture of the practice. You’ll be an integral member of the clinical team, delivering excellent care and supporting the ongoing development of those around you.

• Deliver high-quality small animal veterinary care across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics
• Support, mentor, and guide less experienced veterinary surgeons
• Contribute to clinical leadership and help maintain high clinical standards across the practice
• Work closely with the leadership team to support clinical direction and development
• Participate in a 1 in 3 Saturday rota across main and branch sites
• Work across multiple branches, including Gateshead, Sunderland, Ryton, and Whickham

Working Pattern

• Full-time: approximately 40 hours per week
• Typically 38 hours across four weekdays with a set day off
• 1 in 3 Saturday rota (alternating full-day and branch morning shifts)
• Flexible working discussions welcomed

Life in Tyne and Wear

Based in Gateshead, the practice is ideally located to enjoy everything the North East has to offer. From Newcastle’s vibrant city life and cultural scene to the stunning Northumberland coastline and nearby countryside, the area offers an excellent balance of urban and outdoor living.

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You are a confident and motivated veterinary surgeon who enjoys working as part of a team and is committed to delivering high-quality patient and client care. You’ll bring:

• A Veterinary degree and registration (or eligibility to register) with the RCVS
• Strong experience in small animal first opinion practice
• Confidence in clinical decision-making across medicine and surgery
• Experience or interest in mentoring and supporting colleagues
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• A collaborative and proactive approach to team working

How We’ll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and well-being. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
• Funded learning and development, including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks' holiday, including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• BVA membership, VDS cover & 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 may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Up to £90,000 DOE