Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

British Veterinary Association; Ross-on-Wye; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in the Wye Valley seeks a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to oversee clinical operations and lead a supportive team. This role offers a competitive salary, relocation bonus, and a strong focus on continuous improvement and patient care, along with a supportive work environment emphasizing team wellbeing.

Benefits

7.6 weeks annual leave

£1250 CPD allowance

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• MRCVS-qualified with strong clinical experience.
• Proven leadership and mentoring skills.
• Deep understanding of clinical governance and RCVS standards.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high standards of care aligned with RCVS guidance.
• Oversee clinical operations and mentored team.
• Champion continuous improvement and lead audits.

Skills

Clinical governance

Mentorship

Leadership

Decision-making

Education

MRCVS qualification

Job description

Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Salary: £75,000 DOE

Welcome Bonus: up to £8,000

Relocation Allowance: up to £5,000

Vine Tree Vets have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our practice in the heart of the Wye Valley. You'll lead a supportive team of vets and nurses, manage clinical operations, and enjoy the freedom to shape a varied and rewarding caseload.

This role is ideal for an experienced Senior Vet ready to step up or a Clinical Director seeking a fresh challenge with a stronger clinical focus, working alongside an experienced Head Nurse and Practice Director.

You'll oversee all clinical aspects of the practice, ensuring high standards of care aligned with RCVS guidance, industry regulations, and IVC Evidensia best practices. Key responsibilities include clinical governance, protocol implementation, audits, quality improvement, and mentoring the team.

This is a leadership role that requires advanced clinical expertise, strong decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement - driving both operational excellence and outstanding patient care and you'll hold personal and team-wide accountability, in line with the Veterinary Surgeon role profile and RCVS standards.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love to hear from you!

This role can be offered on a full or part-time basis, between 30 to 40 hours per week, worked over 4 or 5 days between 8:30am and 7pm. There are no out-of-hours or on-call requirements, though participation in the Saturday morning rota will be expected.

Our established practice

Vine Tree Vets is located in the beautiful Wye Valley, within easy reach of the Forest of Dean, Bath, Gloucester, Bristol and the Cotswolds. Vine Tree has an extensive small animal case load, giving you exposure to a diverse caseload.

We are a purpose built, modern practice that was converted from a pub in 2015. We have two consulting rooms, one operating theatre, an imaging room (including digital x ray, dental x ray, bronchoscope, endoscope and ultrasound), a main prep room, a cat only prep room leading to cattery and a separate dog ward.

Lead our long-standing team

The team at Vine Tree is made up of 4 vets, 5 nurses, 2 receptionists and 1 practice director; with the longest team member being with us for over 25 years.

Our Vine Tree team is at the heart of everything we do; our priority is to create a wonderful team atmosphere where everyone looks after each other, regardless of their role, and is something we pride ourselves on. We understand the significance of supporting mental health within the veterinary profession and this is of particular importance to us. The team regularly get together to explore the outdoors, for dogs walks or just around the beautiful area.

What You'll Do:

Deliver outstanding clinical care across species

Mentor and support vets, nurses, and support staff

Champion clinical governance and continuous improvement

Lead audits, ensure compliance, and support CPD

Work closely with the Director of Practice on strategy and service development

Build strong client relationships and manage complex cases

What We're Looking For:

MRCVS-qualified with strong clinical experience

Proven leadership and mentoring skills

Deep understanding of clinical governance and RCVS standards

Passion for developing teams and delivering patient-first care

A collaborative, solution-focused approach

Bonus Points:

Postgraduate clinical or leadership qualifications

Experience as a Vet GDP advisor

Because our people matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

7.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays

Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday

Wellbeing

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline

Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay

Initiatives focused on colleague wellbeing

Development

£1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata

Certificate support

Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy

Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider

All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding

All our Vets get £1250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund

Infection Prevention and Control Programme

Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships

BVA membership

VDS cover

RCVS fees

Colleague Benefits

Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well

Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria

Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you

Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice