Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Linnaeus; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary group in East Midlands is seeking a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join their team. You will oversee clinical operations, support team growth, and ensure high standards of care. Ideal candidates have leadership experience, a veterinary degree, and a passion for animal welfare. The role offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits, including extensive CPD opportunities.

Benefits

5-weeks holiday plus bank holidays

Relocation support

Employer contribution pension scheme

Life assurance

Extensive internal and funded external CPD

Qualifications

• Confident and experienced veterinary surgeon who provides leadership.
• Upholds high standards of care and drives clinical governance.
• Collaborative and able to support team culture effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee clinical operations and maintain standards of care.
• Work with the clinical director on rota planning and well-being.
• Engage in leadership meetings and contribute to team success.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Client service

Strong decision-making

Team collaboration

Education

Veterinary degree with clinical certification

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (Depending on experience)
Location: Kings and Rutland Veterinary Centre, Leicester and Rutland
Hours: 40 hours per week over 4 days, with a share of the weekend rota and protected admin time

We have a unique opportunity for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our team. This role can be based across any of our sites to best suit your needs, with the exciting chance to play a key part in the opening of our brand-new, purpose-built Veterinary Hospital at Melton in 2026. As Lead Veterinarian, you’ll work alongside our Clinical Director to maintain clinical excellence, support team growth, and help drive the ongoing success of our practice. Whether you’re an experienced vet looking for your next challenge, or ready to take that important step into leadership, this is your chance to grow, lead, and thrive. Come and join us - and help shape the future of veterinary care with us.

Why join us?

• Lead with purpose - make meaningful decisions, mentor others, and elevate standards of care.
• Varied caseload - from routine to more complex cases, giving you scope to continually develop.
• Collaborative team - work alongside friendly colleagues with postgraduate certificates who value mentorship and shared learning.
• Invest in your future - access leadership training, CPD support, and encouragement to pursue clinical interests and certificates.
• Excellent facilities - dedicated x-ray and dental facilities, 2 theatres, separate dog and cat wards and waiting areas.
• Work-life balance - enjoy a four-day working week (or spread across five days if preferred) with built-in admin time, plus flexibility for important appointments, family events, and emergencies.

The Team

We are a first opinion, RVCS-accredited veterinary hospital with 5 branches in Melton, Syston, Uppingham, Oakham, Market Harborough and Corby. We pride ourselves in offering on-site emergency care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our dedicated team of clinical and non-clinical staff provide high standards of bespoke, affordable care to our patients and our clients. We are heavily involved in the local community and actively support many local pet charities.

You’ll have the backing of a dedicated administrative team (HR, H&S, finance) to handle the non-clinical details, freeing you to focus on veterinary excellence. On-call duties will be minimal as we transition into our brand-new hospital in Spring 2026, with weekday shifts worked on a rota basis and a fair share of bank holidays.

As part of the Linnaeus family, you’ll also benefit from collaborating with like-minded colleagues across the group, attending clinical, business, and leadership meetings, and contributing to veterinary excellence on a wider scale.

What we’re looking for

• A confident and experienced veterinary surgeon able to provide clinical leadership and support the team.
• Upholds high standards of care and client service.
• Certificate holder (minimum requirement), ideally with a medicine or imaging bias.
• Drives clinical governance and ensures compliance with practice protocols.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Director on rota planning, team wellbeing, and operational decisions.
• Enjoys supporting others, building team culture, and leading with empathy and clarity.
• Strong clinical decision-making abilities and able to interpret diagnostics effectively.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and remains calm under pressure.
• Collaborative team player who helps maintain a positive culture and fosters excellent client relationships.

What we offer

• 5-weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Relocation support
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Staff discount
• Life assurance
• Generous staff discount for your pets
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Extensive internal and funded external CPD

About us

Rutland and Kings Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best - care for pets.

We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.

If you would like to apply for this position or would simply like to discuss it in more detail, please contact [e-mail] or complete the application form below.