Lead Veterinary Surgeon

WhatsApp Inc.; Wanlip; On-site; GBP 69,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Employer pension contributions

Life assurance

Staff discount scheme

CPD and leadership development

Electric car salary sacrifice

Birthday leave

Job summary

The opportunity at WhatsApp Inc. invites a veteran Veterinary Surgeon to join a forward-thinking practice as Lead Vet, overseeing clinical standards and mentoring the team.

This role supports relocation to a brand-new veterinary hospital, with emphasis on governance and growth of the service. The ideal candidate will be RCVS-registered, possess a certificate qualification, and have demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities in a busy small animal setting.

Qualifications

• RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon with strong clinical leadership experience.
• Minimum certificate qualification required.
• Experience mentoring veterinary teams.
• Ability to guide practice growth and governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership across the practice and maintain high care standards.
• Mentor graduate vets and junior clinicians.
• Manage varied small animal caseload including complex cases.
• Drive strategic development and growth of the practice.
• Support a collaborative team culture and governance compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon

Education

RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon

Certificate qualification

Job description

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will work closely with the Clinical Director to maintain clinical excellence, mentor and support the veterinary team, and help drive the continued success and growth of the practice ahead of an exciting move into a brand-new, purpose-built veterinary hospital. This is more than a standard veterinary surgeon role - it is an opportunity to influence the future direction of a modern and forward-thinking veterinary practice.

• Provide clinical leadership across the practice, maintaining exceptional standards of patient and client care
• Support and mentor veterinary colleagues, including graduate vets and less experienced team members
• Manage a varied small animal caseload, including both routine and complex medical and surgical cases
• Play a key role in the strategic development and growth of the practice
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and supportive team culture
• Help drive clinical governance and ensure compliance with practice protocols and best-practice veterinary medicine

About the Practice

The practice already benefits from a highly skilled clinical team, including multiple certificate holders and Advanced Practitioners in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, and actively encourages ongoing professional development and further qualifications. This busy and well-established small animal practice is preparing to relocate to a brand-new veterinary hospital, creating an exciting opportunity for a Lead Vet to help shape the future of the service from the ground up.

Team Support

• An experienced and dedicated nursing team
• Strong administrative and operational support including HR, finance, and health & safety
• A collaborative senior leadership team
• Access to excellent CPD and leadership development opportunities

Work-Life Balance

The practice is committed to supporting a healthy work‑life balance and offers:

• A 4-day working week
• Protected administration and leadership time
• Flexible support for important personal commitments and family events

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be an experienced RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon with strong clinical and leadership capabilities.

Applicants Should Have

• A Certificate qualification as a minimum requirement
• Ideally a medicine or imaging bias
• Previous experience supporting or mentoring veterinary teams
• Excellent clinical decision-making and diagnostic interpretation skills
• Strong communication and client care abilities
• A collaborative and empathetic leadership style
• The ability to thrive in a fast‑paced veterinary environment while remaining calm under pressure

Benefits Package

The practice offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Salary up to £77,000 DOE
• 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Relocation support available
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Employer pension contribution scheme
• Generous staff discount scheme
• Life assurance
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Extensive internal and funded external CPD
• Leadership development opportunities