Lead Veterinary Surgeon | Chester

Global Veterinary Careers; Chester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 70,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded management study

Registration fees covered

Job summary

Global Veterinary Careers is supporting a well‑established small animal practice in Chester, Cheshire, on a path to refurbishment and new ownership. We seek a senior clinician to lead clinical standards across the site, with 30 hours over 3 days and no Sundays.

You will mentor vets, oversee complex cases, and promote best practice in anaesthesia, surgery and patient safety, while enjoying strong team support and insured caseload.

Qualifications

• RCVS registered veterinary surgeon is essential.
• Significant leadership or senior veterinary experience.
• Proven ability to mentor junior clinicians.
• Strong communication and team‑oriented collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical guidance across the practice with Head Vet oversight.
• Lead complex case decisions when Head Vet is unavailable.
• Mentor junior vets to build clinical confidence and capability.
• Promote best practices in anaesthesia, surgery and patient safety.
• Contribute to clinical protocols, audits and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with ownership to drive standards and rota flow.
• Manage a varied, insured small animal caseload with autonomy.
• Deliver care following RCVS guidelines and evidence-based practice.

Skills

Leadership

Senior vet

Mentoring

Governance

Education

BVMS/BVetMed

Job description

Lead clinical role, 3-day week, high insured caseload, no OOH or Sundays, exciting refurb & rebrand — Chester, Cheshire location.

Who They Are

This is a well-established small animal practice in Chester, Cheshire — a historic and vibrant city less than an hour from both Liverpool and Manchester, surrounded by beautiful countryside and offering an exceptional quality of life. The practice is located on the outskirts of the city centre, easily accessible via local transport routes, and is currently at an exciting turning point — with new ownership bringing a significant refurbishment and rebrand that is pushing the practice to new heights.

The team is close-knit and genuinely collegiate: 7 vets, 5 RVNs, 2 student nurses, and 3 receptionists, all supported by an experienced practice manager. The clinical team brings a variety of interests and a real depth of knowledge, creating an environment where learning and development happen naturally day to day. The client base is strong, with a high proportion of insured pets and proactive clients — enabling thorough case workup and a high standard of care.

This is a practice that values its people, communicates well, and has built a genuine sense of togetherness — a team that supports each other both clinically and personally. With the backing of new ownership investing in the practice's future, this is a rare opportunity to step into a meaningful leadership role at a genuinely exciting moment in the practice's journey.

What You'll Do

• Provide senior clinical guidance and oversight across the practice, working closely with the Head Vet and practice manager to maintain high clinical standards
• Support complex case decision-making, acting as the primary clinical point of contact in the absence of the Head Vet
• Mentor and support junior vets, helping them to develop their clinical confidence and fulfil their potential within the practice
• Promote best practice across anaesthesia, surgery, and patient safety — leading by example in all clinical interactions
• Assist with the development and implementation of clinical protocols, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with practice ownership and the Head Vet to share innovative ideas that enhance care standards, team performance, and daily rota flow
• Manage a varied first-opinion small animal caseload across a high proportion of insured clients, with the autonomy to work cases up thoroughly
• Deliver care aligned with RCVS best practice guidelines, maintaining high standards of patient safety, pain management, and evidence-based medicine

What You'll Gain

• Salary up to £70,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• 30 hours per week across 3 days, with 1 in 5 Saturdays 09:00–12:30 — no Sundays, no OOH
• A genuine leadership opportunity with real autonomy to shape clinical standards and the future direction of the practice
• Full support from new ownership, the Head Vet, and an experienced practice manager — allowing focus to remain on the clinical rather than administrative responsibilities
• Further study towards veterinary management courses or clinical qualifications — fully funded and actively encouraged
• Professional registration fees fully funded
• Exposure to a varied caseload with a high proportion of insured clients, enabling thorough and high-quality clinical work
• An exciting period of practice growth — joining at a pivotal moment following a significant refurbishment and rebrand
• A genuinely supportive team environment with strong communication and a real sense of togetherness

What's Needed

• RCVS registration (essential)
• Proven experience in a clinical leadership or senior veterinary role, or demonstrable readiness to step into such a position
• Confidence managing complex cases and supporting junior colleagues in their clinical decision-making
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-focused approach
• Ability to promote and implement best practice across anaesthesia, surgery, and patient safety
• Experience contributing to clinical protocols, audits, or governance processes
• Commitment to high clinical standards and evidence-based practice
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the vision to help shape the future of a growing practice

Permanent | Part-Time | 30 Hours | 3 Days Per Week | 1 in 5 Saturdays | No OOH | No Sundays