Head Veterinary Surgeon

CVS Group UK; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RCVS & VDS fees paid in full

Generous CPD allowance

BSAVA library access

Fully funded postgraduate certificates

Up to 33 days holiday

CVS Pension Scheme

Vet Oracle telemedicine and mentoring

Job summary

CVS Group UK is seeking a senior veterinary surgeon and leader for Firstvets sites in the North Shields area. You will coach and mentor the veterinary team, upholding clinical standards and delivering high-quality patient care aligned with RCVS guidelines.

You will have access to market-leading learning, on-the-job training, and collaboration with skilled colleagues to grow your expertise. A welcome £5,000 bonus and relocation support are available, with salaries up to £75,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Experienced veterinary surgeon with strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Able to coach, empower the team and maintain high clinical standards.
• Proactive and solutions-focused with excellent client communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and inspire the veterinary team, upholding exceptional clinical standards and a culture of excellence.
• Deliver outstanding care to clients and patients in line with best practices and RCVS guidelines.
• Work closely with the Practice Manager to maintain and elevate clinical standards, contributing to strategic planning and service development.
• Manage the veterinary team, including routine check-ins, competency assessments, salary discussions, and rota planning in collaboration with the Practice Manager.
• Participate in business performance activities such as budgeting, financial planning, and optimisation of client service.
• Be clinically confident across surgical, medical and emergency cases; lead on innovation in medical and surgical techniques.
• Build strong relationships with clients through first-class care and compassionate communication.

Skills

Leadership

Veterinary surgeon

Education

BVMS/BVetMed

Job description

Salary Description

Up to £75,000 per annum, Depending on experience. Welcome bonus £5,000. Also relocation support available.

Rota: 40 hours per week. We’re happy to discuss part-time and flexible options.

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 its 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 Firstvets

Across our three sites (Heaton, Forrest Hall, North Shields), our fantastic team includes long standing experienced Vets, RVNs, SVNs, Patient Care Assistants and receptionist team. You will also be supported by our Senior Clinical Director. Patient and client care are at the heart of everything we do. We continually strive to enhance our clinical standards and customer experience. We have a range of facilities including biochemistry, haematology, x-ray, ultrasound and we are in the process of getting dental radiography! You'll be joining an established, friendly, and supportive team within a well-equipped, forward-thinking group.

About you

You'll be passionate about coaching, empowering your team, and consistently driving high standards of patient and client care. Your leadership will be key to our continued development as a centre of excellence. You will be an experienced veterinary surgeon with strong clinical capability and a natural mentor who enjoys developing and supporting colleagues. Proactive and solutions-focused, you will bring resilience and a positive outlook while collaborating effectively as a team player who adds professionalism and energy. As a forward-thinking leader, you will be eager to help shape the future of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and inspire the veterinary team, upholding exceptional clinical standards and a culture of excellence.
• Deliver outstanding care to clients and patients in line with best practices and RCVS guidelines.
• Work closely with the Practice Manager to maintain and elevate clinical standards, contributing to strategic planning and service development.
• Manage the veterinary team, including routine check-ins, competency assessments, salary discussions, and rota planning in collaboration with the Practice Manager.
• Participate in business performance activities such as budgeting, financial planning, and optimisation of client service.
• Be clinically confident and able to manage both surgical, medicine and emergency cases.
• Lead on innovation by introducing progressive medical and surgical techniques to enhance patient outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with clients through first-class care and compassionate communication.

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 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

We are 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.

This role is based in North Shields commutable from Backworth, Birtley, Blaydon-on-Tyne, Boldon Colliery, Bowburn, Brandon, Brunswick Village, Burnopfield, Chester-le-Street, Chopwell, Cleadon, Consett, Corbridge, Coxhoe, Cramlington, Crawcrook, Cullercoats, Dinnington, Dudley, Durham, Earsdon, Easington, East Boldon, East Rainton, Ebchester, Felling, Gateshead, Great Lumley, Guide Post, Haswell, Hazlerigg, Hebburn, Hetton-le-Hole, Holywell, Houghton-le-Spring, Jarrow, Kibblesworth, Killingworth, Lamesley, Langley Park, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newburn, North Shields, Pelton, Pelton Fell, Penshaw, Peterlee, Pittington, Prudhoe, Riding Mill, Rowlands Gill, Ryton, Sacriston, Seaham, Sherburn, Shiney Row, Shiremoor, Shotley Bridge, South Hetton, South Shields, Stanley, Stocksfield, Sunderland, Throckley, Tynemouth, Wallsend, Washington, West Boldon, West Rainton, Whickham, Whitburn, Whitley Bay, Wideopen, Wylam, Annitsford, Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth, Cambois, Choppington, Ellington, Linton, Lynemouth, Morpeth, New Hartley, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Newsham, Old Hartley, Ovingham, Pegswood, Ponteland, Seaton Delaval, Seaton Sluice, Seghill, Stakeford, Widdrington Station and other locations within the Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland areas.