Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Beech House Veterinary Centre, Bitterne; Eastleigh; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established veterinary practice in Eastleigh is seeking a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join their team. You will lead a dedicated group of 6 vets and ensure exceptional care for small animals. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £78,000, a supportive work environment, and the flexibility to achieve a work-life balance. This is a rare opportunity to make a significant impact in a top-tier veterinary clinic.

Benefits

6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family-friendly leave and pay

24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme

£1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD

Colleague benefits including cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Registered veterinarian with a degree in veterinary medicine.
• Experience in small animal practice required.
• Proven leadership skills to manage a diverse veterinary team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 6 vets in a fast-paced veterinary practice.
• Deliver exceptional veterinary care to small animals.
• Manage and support a team of nurses and receptionists.

Skills

Leadership

Veterinary surgery

Team management

Education

Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our well-established practice, Beech House, in Bitterne.

Find a place to excel

Beech House is a busy small animal practice with 6 consult rooms, a large theatre, a fully equipped lab, an isolation area and a separate dog/cat ward.

Equipment

At Beech House we have the following equipment: Piped Isoflo anaesthesia, Digital x-ray, Ultrasound machine, ECG (both in‑house & access to external reading & interpreting), Air‑driven dental station, Laboratory capable of full biochemistry & haematology.

Vets Now Southampton is based in our practice and our Vets can hand over cases directly to the out‑of‑hours team rather than transferring like other local practices.

Beech House is a very short distance from New Forest National Park, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Winchester. The surgery is easily accessible via bus and train with stations for both in Bitterne.

Work‑life balance that works for you

Our flexible approach to rota patterns and working hours tips the scale of your work‑life balance. We know that everyone has demands and priorities outside of their career and we want to make it brilliantly easy for you to strike the right balance. Whether you are looking to fix or flex your work patterns, we can find the right solution for you.

You will enjoy a 40‑hour week over 4 days with 1 in 4 Saturday mornings. We are flexible and welcoming to a candidate wanting to discuss the possibility of a 20‑hour+ per week working pattern to fit their needs as well as the practice needs. No OOH as we have Vets Now on site.

Proud to Be Part of IVC Evidensia

At IVC Evidensia, we’re driven by the passion and commitment of our people - across clinical, operational, and support teams. With over 2,500 clinics and hospitals in 20 countries and around 41,000 employees, we work together to care for around 25,000 animals every day. United by a shared purpose – Healthy Animals, Happy Owners – we’re proud to champion long‑term animal health and welfare through the dedication of every individual across our international network.

About the Team and Culture

You will be leading a team of 6 vets while supported by 5 registered nurses, 2 student nurses, 1 animal care assistant and 5 receptionists. The team at Beech House are experienced but very welcoming, coming from across the local area and further afield.

You Matter to Us – Your Benefits at a Glance

• Work‑life Balance & Wellbeing
  • 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays – plus your birthday off
  • Private medical insurance
  • Enhanced family‑friendly leave and pay
  • 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Development
  • £1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD
  • Certificate and advanced learning support & Access to Vetlexicon online resources
  • World leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres
  • £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Professional Memberships
  • BVA membership
  • VDS cover
  • RCVS fees
• Colleague Benefits
  • Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
  • Retail discounts and cashback offers
  • Reduced‑cost veterinary care for your own pets

This is a rare opportunity to step into a meaningful leadership role in a fantastic clinical environment, backed by a supportive and experienced team.

Apply today or get in touch for an informal, confidential chat.

Up to £78,000 DOE.