Head Veterinary Surgeon

Vetted Recruitment; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance

Sponsorship available

Job summary

Head Veterinary Surgeon role in Newcastle upon Tyne, permanent with flexible working options. The position offers up to £75,000 per annum, relocation allowance and sponsorship for candidates with UK experience.

You’ll join a well-equipped veterinary group and have the opportunity to shape clinical standards while remaining hands-on with patient care. You’ll lead surgical, medical and emergency cases, coach colleagues, and collaborate with the Practice Manager on rota planning, budgeting and

Qualifications

• Experienced veterinary surgeon with strong surgery, medicine and emergency care.
• Proven ability to coach and develop colleagues.
• UK veterinary registration and relevant clinical leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical standards while managing surgical, medical and emergency cases.
• Coach and develop veterinary team through regular check-ins and assessments.
• Oversee service development, budgeting and rota planning.
• Maintain high standards of patient care in line with RCVS guidelines.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Surgery

Medicine

Emergency care

Team coaching

Job description

Head Veterinary Surgeon

Newcastle upon Tyne

Permanent | Full-time, part-time or flexible working

Up to £75,000 per annum, flexibility depending on experience

Re-location allowance

Sponsorship available, must have UK experience

Ready to shape clinical standards, develop colleagues and retain the hands-on veterinary work you enjoy? Whether you’re an established Head Veterinary Surgeon or an experienced Senior Vet ready to progress, this role offers the opportunity to influence both patient care and practice development.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Head Veterinary Surgeon for an established, well-equipped veterinary group. Based in the happening area of Newcastle Upon Tyne, you’ll join a friendly, supportive team serving communities across the Newcastle area, with access from Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland.

The full-time rota is 40 hours per week, with part-time and flexible arrangements welcomed.

Your role and impact

You’ll combine clinical leadership with practical casework, managing surgical, medical and emergency cases while helping colleagues deliver consistently high standards of care. Compassionate communication and trusted client relationships will be central to your approach.

Working closely with the Practice Manager, you’ll lead and motivate the veterinary team, oversee regular check-ins and competency assessments, and contribute to salary discussions and rota planning. You’ll also help shape service development, budgeting and financial planning, balancing excellent clinical outcomes with the effective running of the practice.

There is scope to introduce progressive medical and surgical techniques, improve the client experience and help guide the practice’s future, ensuring care will be delivered in line with best practice and RCVS guidelines.

The clinical environment

You’ll work alongside long-standing veterinary surgeons, registered and student veterinary nurses, patient care assistants and reception colleagues, with support from a Senior Clinical Director.

Facilities include biochemistry, haematology, X-ray and ultrasound, with dental radiography being introduced. Beyond the practice, specialist telemedicine advice, an advanced clinical support network and regional clinical leads provide access to case support and mentoring.

Central operational teams support HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance and procurement, helping clinical colleagues focus on their patients. The wider organisation also invests in practice facilities through a dedicated improvement fund.

What you’ll bring

You’ll be an experienced veterinary surgeon with strong clinical capability and confidence across surgery, medicine and emergency care. Just as importantly, you’ll enjoy coaching colleagues, building their confidence and supporting their development.

A proactive, solutions-focused approach, resilience and sound professional judgement will help you succeed. This role will suit someone who collaborates well, communicates with compassion and wants to make a lasting contribution to clinical standards and team development.

The package and professional support

Alongside the salary and relocation support, the package includes fully paid RCVS and VDS fees, a generous CPD allowance, access to a professional veterinary library and more than 450 courses. Fully funded postgraduate qualifications, including CertAVP and PgCert pathways, cover tuition, examinations and study leave.

You’ll also receive up to 33 days’ holiday with the option to buy or sell leave, a pension scheme, a health cash plan, an Employee Assistance Programme and enhanced family leave policies. Staff pet care discounts include 50% off services, alongside discounts on food and medications.

Ongoing development includes on-the-job learning, collaboration with experienced colleagues and opportunities to explore leadership or specialist pathways. Wellbeing support includes regular line-manager check-ins, wellbeing champions, pastoral veterinary support and personal mentoring, within an organisation committed to an inclusive and equitable workplace.