Head Veterinary Surgeon

CVS Veterinary Group; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RCVS & VDS fees paid

Generous CPD allowance

Up to 33 days holiday

CVS Pension Scheme

Health cash plan

Job summary

The Harrogate Vet, part of CVS Veterinary Group, is seeking a Head Veterinary Surgeon to join our busy practice in Harrogate. This permanent, full-time role offers 40 hours per week with a salary up to £70,000 depending on experience.

You will lead the clinical team, mentor colleagues, and oversee diagnostic workups and patient care across the hospital and clinics. We provide strong support, ongoing CPD, and a collaborative environment to advance your leadership and clinical skills.

Qualifications

• Driven by a shared passion to provide the best possible care to animals.
• Confident in clinical skills and able to lead diagnostic investigations with precision.
• Natural team player who supports colleagues to deliver excellent care.
• Focused on client care and building trust with pet owners.
• Comfortable managing a varied caseload and contributing to clinical standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the veterinary clinical team and oversee day-to-day medical care.
• Mentor and support staff, including 1-2-1 sessions for professional development.
• Drive high standards of diagnostics, treatment and patient outcomes.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Team leadership

Client care

Communication

Job description

Head Veterinary Surgeon

The Harrogate Vet – Harrogate | Permanent contract | Full-time, 40 hours – Salary: up to £70,000 depending on experience

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head Veterinary Surgeon to join our team at The Harrogate Vet. This is a full-time role, working 40 hours a week across 4 or 5 days.

At CVS, we put our colleagues first, giving you the support you need to provide the best possible care. From clinical to non-clinical challenges, you'll always have the resources and teams alongside you. We'll be your biggest supporter - it's in our nature.

With market-leading learning, on-the-job training, and collaboration with skilled colleagues, you'll have the tools to grow, whether you're building confidence early in your career or looking to deepen your expertise. From advancing in your current role to exploring new leadership or specialist pathways, we provide the support and opportunities to help you achieve your goals.

Life at The Harrogate Vet

Located on either side of Harrogate, the practices are easily accessible from Leeds, York and surrounding areas, with the stunning Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close by for those who enjoy the outdoors. We also offer the opportunity to work from your preferred practice. Leeds Road provides a welcoming community‑practice feel, while Ripon Way operates a 24/7 hospital and takes referrals for advanced imaging.

Our facilities include digital x-ray, dental x-ray, ultrasound, multiparameter monitoring, endoscopy, CT scanning, in‑house lab equipment, a cat‑only consulting room, and separate cat and dog wards. We also have a well‑established team with certificate holders in surgery, medicine and imaging, giving you the support and facilities you need to deliver outstanding care.

With ISFM Gold Cat Friendly accreditation, Zero Pain Practice status and a strong fear‑free ethos, the practice is committed to providing personalised care alongside a supportive environment that encourages professional growth.

This role would suit someone who is keen to progress the practice clinically, is confident leading a team and holding 1-2-1 sessions, and is passionate about supporting professional development.

About you

• Driven by a shared passion to provide the best possible care to animals. You're committed to delivering outstanding care to our patients and supporting their owners, day and night.
• Confident in your clinical skills. You'll be able to take on cases and carry out diagnostic investigations with precision.
• A natural team player. You'll enjoy working closely with colleagues, sharing knowledge and supporting the wider team to provide the best possible care.
• Naturally focused on client care. You know how to create a positive, reassuring experience that builds trust and long‑lasting relationships.
• Comfortable handling a varied caseload. As a vet, you'll offer guidance to the wider team and contribute to shaping clinical standards.

The 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 the option to buy/sell)
• CVS Pension Scheme
• Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, the 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

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 and 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.