Lead Veterinary Surgeon (Maternity Cover)

Holly House Veterinary Hospital; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks’ holiday including bankhols

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family leave and pay

Cycle to Work

Retail discounts and cashback

Reduced-cost veterinary care

Job summary

Holly House Veterinary Hospital in Leeds is seeking a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to uphold clinical standards and guide the veterinary team. The maternity leave cover is for 12 months with a preference for a surgical bias to manage complex cases.

You’ll work across surgical, medical and emergency services, leading clinical governance, mentoring staff, and driving continuous improvement in patient care. The role is 40 hours over 4 days per week with shared weekend duties and bank holidays, across

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree and RCVS registration with significant small/mixed practice experience.
• Experience mentoring, coaching and supporting veterinary colleagues.
• Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
• Experience contributing to clinical governance, audits and quality improvement.
• Ability to manage clinical complaints and provide professional guidance.
• Commitment to highest standards of patient and client care.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical standards, governance and delivery of patient and client care.
• Provide clinical leadership to the veterinary team and oversee complex cases.
• Drive continuous improvement in clinical quality and ways of working.
• Work across surgical, medical, and emergency departments with diagnostics.

Skills

RCVS registration

Leadership

Mentoring

Clinical governance

Surgical skill

Education

Veterinary degree

Tools

CT

Ultrasound

Laparoscopy

Job description

Salary up to £70,000 DOE plus up to £5,000 Relocation Allowance

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.

Join Holly House vets as a Lead Veterinary Surgeon and help shape the future of our thriving practice. Our Lead vet is going on maternity leave and we require a Lead vet ideally with a surgical bias to join us for 12 months.

Practice Highlights

Our Facilities and Environment As a general practice with mid-tier referral, certificate holder led departments in surgery, medicine, dentistry and exotics we have a varied caseload and cases are worked up to a high standard.

You would benefit from access to cutting-edge diagnostics such as CT, X-Ray, ultrasound, laparoscopy and endoscopy across our fully equipped practices. Our facilities include purpose-built consulting rooms, an isolation ward, and a spacious prep/theatre suite.

We utilise multiparameter monitoring for anaesthesia and a ventilator to ensure the highest standard of care. Handling both first opinion and referral cases, our focus remains on delivering exemplary care to every species.

Location and Team Conveniently located just off the ring road in north Leeds, near Roundhay Park, our practice boasts excellent transport links to the city centre.

Our team comprises 19 vets, 19 RVNs (including our dedicated night nurse team), 6 SVNs, 4 VCAs, and 10 receptionists working to provide 24 hour wrap around care to our patients at our hospital, general practice clinics and exotics only practice.

Having been open now for 30 years we have developed a range of annual team events and a full schedule of practice meetings as well as one to one career development and professional coaching available to all staff. Rotas are carefully crafted to consider work life balance and home time and breaks are prioritised

How You’ll Make a Difference

As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you will be the most senior veterinary clinician within the practice, responsible for leading clinical standards, governance, and the delivery of outstanding patient and client care.

You’ll provide clinical leadership to the veterinary team, oversee complex cases, and act as the primary source of clinical guidance and decision-making within the practice. Working closely with the senior practice leadership team, you’ll support the strategic direction of the practice and drive continuous improvement in clinical quality, outcomes, and ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

The position is 40 hours over 4 days per week on a rota basis, 1 in 6 weekends days, with a share of the bank holiday rota, planned in advance. We have 4 practices in the Leeds postcode, 3 in North Leeds and one in Ilkley, which will only require occasional holiday cover.

The role will work across surgical, medical, and emergency departments. Duties include consulting, client care, routine and complex procedures, triage, routine and complex inpatient care, and running diagnostic tests (lab/radiography/CT) across a range of species (cats/dogs/rabbits/reptiles/birds/small mammals).

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You are a highly experienced veterinary surgeon with strong clinical expertise and a passion for leadership and clinical excellence. You’ll bring:

• A Veterinary degree and registration with the RCVS with significant experience in small or mixed animal practice, including advanced surgical and medical capability
• Proven experience in mentoring, coaching, and supporting veterinary colleagues
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
• Experience contributing to or leading clinical governance, audits, and quality improvement initiatives
• The ability to manage clinical complaints and provide professional guidance in complex situations
• Professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the highest standards of patient and client care

How We’ll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
• Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world‑class learning resources.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

Up to 70,000 pa DOE