Lead Veterinary Surgeon | London | £80,000+ | Full-Time

Chatty Vets; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £80,000+

5.6 weeks annual leave

Pension contribution

RCVS membership covered

Discretionary VDS membership

CPD allowance £1,000+ and 3 CPD days

Staff discounts on treatments and meds

Job summary

GVC is supporting a modern, design-led small animal clinic group in London seeking a full-time Lead Veterinary Surgeon. This is a senior, hands-on role within a structured, standards-driven environment.

You’ll deliver high-quality first-opinion consults, use diagnostic imaging and internal medicine to support decisions, perform soft tissue surgery, and lead a team while driving clinical protocols and client communications.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in first-opinion small animal practice.
• Strong diagnostic imaging and internal medicine skills.
• Experience with soft tissue surgery to high standard.
• Ability to lead and mentor veterinary and student nurses.
• Excellent client communication and consent discussions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality first-opinion consults and case work-up.
• Use imaging and medicine to support evidence-based decisions.
• Perform soft tissue surgery and oversee peri-operative care.
• Maintain efficient clinical workflow and patient outcomes.
• Lead and uphold clinic standards and protocols.
• Support client acquisition and local marketing.

Skills

First-opinion consults

Diagnostic imaging

Internal medicine

Soft tissue surgery

Client communication

Job description

Who They Are
GVC is supporting a modern, design-led small animal clinic group in London seeking afull-time Lead Veterinary Surgeon. This is a senior, hands-on role within a structured, standards-driven environment.

What You’ll Do
As Lead Vet, you’ll combine strong clinical standards with visible leadership and day-to-day oversight, including:

• Delivering high-qualityfirst-opinion consults, case work-up and treatment planning
• Confident use ofdiagnostic imagingandinternal medicineskills to support safe, evidence-based decisions
• Performingsoft tissue surgeryto a high standard and supporting consistent peri-operative care
• Maintaining a smooth, efficient clinical workflow and supporting excellent patient outcomes
• Driving the use ofstructured clinical protocolsand supporting initiatives that improve standards of care
• Setting expectations for client communication—clear explanations of options, informed consent, and preventative care conversations

You’ll also carry leadership and operational responsibility within the clinic environment, including:

• Owning clinic delivery against definedclient care standards
• Supportingcommercial performanceand continuous improvement initiatives
• Providingpastoral careand leadership to the team, including guiding junior and student nurses
• Taking responsibility for day-to-day clinic operationsworking closely withcolleagues
• Supporting client acquisition activity and local marketing efforts as part of the wider clinic operation

What You’ll Gain

• Salary: £80,000+(depending on experience)
• 5.6 weeks annual leaveper year inclusive of public holidays (6.6 weeks after 1 year)
• Pension contribution
• RCVS membershipcovered, plusdiscretionary VDS membership
• CPD allowance of £1,000+per year plus3 days paid CPD leave
• Staff discountson treatments and medications for your own pets
• Private medical insurance
• Life assuranceandcritical illness cover