* Lead Small Animal Vet * Up to £75k * No OnCall *

British Veterinary Association; England; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary association in the UK is seeking a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to provide clinical leadership within a progressive small animal service. You will oversee clinical operations, mentor colleagues, and support a positive practice culture. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a relevant veterinary certificate, with remuneration up to £75,000 per annum based on experience. A collaborative and growth-focused environment with substantial support and benefits is offered.

Benefits

Five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays

Relocation support

RCVS and VDS fees paid

Employer pension contribution

Life assurance

E-car salary sacrifice scheme

Enhanced family leave

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a clinical setting.
• Experience overseeing a clinical caseload.
• Ability to mentor and support junior colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and drive the development of the small animal service.
• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations.
• Lead and mentor colleagues including graduate vets.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Mentoring

Strong clinical decision-making

Collaborative approach

Education

Veterinary certificate (medicine or imaging)

Job description

Key Details:

• Working Days: 4 days per week with a 1:5 weekend rota
• Hours: 8:00 am–6:00 pm or 8:30 am–6:30 pm, with protected administration time
• Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Duties: Clinical leadership across consultations and surgery, mentoring colleagues, and supporting practice operations

About the Role:

• Our client is seeking a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to provide clinical leadership and drive the development of a progressive small animal service.
• The role will oversee day-to-day clinical caseload and contribute to business operations to ensure best-practice, bespoke, and affordable care.
• The successful candidate will partner with the Clinical Director to make sound clinical and operational decisions, shape protocols, and support a positive culture.
• Key responsibilities will include leading and mentoring colleagues, including graduate vets, supporting the transition into a new purpose-built hospital, and participating in the senior leadership team.
• The role will suit a certificate holder who brings proven leadership experience, strong clinical decision-making, and a collaborative approach. A certificate is essential due to PSS Hospital status requirements, with a preference for medicine or imaging.
• There is no on-call requirement. The weekend and bank holiday day rota is shared equally.

About the Practice:

The practice is a multi-site small animal service based in Melton Mowbray and Syston, with a new state-of-the-art hospital, including CT, scheduled to open in April 2026. It delivers high-quality healthcare supported by an experienced clinical team and a skilled nursing group. Robust administrative support across HR, finance, and health and safety enables the clinical team to focus on patient care and leadership.

The practice promotes mentorship, communication, and continuous learning, with access to extensive CPD and leadership development. It offers five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave, relocation support, RCVS and VDS fees paid, an employer pension contribution, staff discounts, life assurance, an e-car salary sacrifice scheme, and enhanced equal family leave. The culture is inclusive and growth-focused, with access to a wider network for clinical collaboration and development.

Job Reference No: JN-102025-33337