Equine Head Receptionist

CVS Vets; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

National minimum wage alignment

Five weeks' annual leave

Staff discount on veterinary bills

Staff discount on Animed Direct

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

CVS Vets in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head Receptionist to lead our busy reception team within a thriving equine clinical environment. You will champion outstanding customer service, manage two receptionists, and support the Practice Director with admin and finance tasks, ensuring smooth daily operations.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication, empathy with clients, and in-depth equine knowledge.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Receptionist / Administrator or in a demanding, client-focused role.
• Experience in a veterinary setting is a bonus.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage a team.
• In-depth equine knowledge from owning or working with horses.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team of two receptionists to deliver excellent customer service.
• Support the Practice Director with admin tasks, finance, health & safety and rotas.
• Answer calls, manage diaries, and greet clients to ensure a positive experience.
• Handle appointments, queries, payments, and arrange medication orders.
• Demonstrate resilience, empathy and superb communication with the public.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Team management

Equine knowledge

MS Office

Database skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database software

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Head Receptionist to join our friendly and experienced team of equine vets, nurses and administrators providing first opinion work, 24/7 emergency care and elective surgery. If you have a passion for outstanding customer service, with experience from a similar role managing a team and are keen to make a difference, in a busy veterinary environment, we would love to hear from you.

• Managing the team of two receptionists, to ensure we provide excellent customer service
• Multi-tasking administration tasks and supporting the Practice Director in various duties including finance, Health & Safety and rotas
• The role will also include answering calls, diary management, and welcoming clients to ensure every call or visit is a positive experience
• You will manage appointment bookings, handle queries and take payments, while also arranging medication orders.
• Previous experience as a Receptionist / Administrator or in a demanding, client-focused role is a must; experience in a veterinary setting is a bonus!
• Strong leadership skills and experience managing a team would be highly beneficial
• You will need to have in-depth equine knowledge from either owning or working with horses
• Resilience and the ability to handle emotional situations with kindness and professionalism
• Strong communication skills paired with genuine empathy
• Outstanding customer service skills and experience with the public
• Positive attitude and superior teamwork abilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems
• Joining a CVS Vets-owned practice is more than just starting a job-it's the beginning of a rewarding career with one of the UK's leading veterinary groups.

Our mission is simple yet meaningful: to provide the best possible care for animals, and this dedication guides everything we do. With a network of over 500 practices and more than 8,000 devoted professionals, you'll become part of a supportive community focused on one goal: putting pets first. It's in our nature - to care, to support, to learn and to progress. That's what sets us apart at CVS Vets.

We understand that benefits matter. Here are just a few of the perks you'll enjoy:

• Salary aligned with the National Minimum Wage
• Five weeks' annual leave (pro rata) per annum, plus bank holidays
• Staff discount scheme on Veterinary bills and care
• Staff discount on Animed Direct, our online dispensary, where you can benefit from discounts on pet medicines, products and food
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
• And lots more, as part of our commitment to help you feel recognised, supported and appreciated!