Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Spring Lodge Veterinary Group - Broomfield Road; Witham; On-site; GBP 67,500 - 82,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks’ holiday

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family leave

BVA membership

Cycle to Work scheme

Retail discounts

Job summary

Spring Lodge Veterinary Group - Broomfield Road in Witham is looking for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join their six-site practice. This position offers a salary of up to £75,000 DOE along with a relocation allowance of up to £5,000 and a welcome bonus of £5,000.

The candidate will be responsible for shaping clinical standards, helping to mentor less experienced vets while enjoying hands-on clinical work across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics.

Additional benefits include 6.6 weeks’ holiday, private medical insurance, and support for career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Registered with RCVS and strong clinical capability.
• Experience in a senior role is advantageous.
• Ability to foster a supportive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Shape clinical direction and standards.
• Support less experienced vets.
• Continue hands-on clinical work.

Skills

RCVS registration

Strong clinical capability

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Salary of up to £75,000 DOE

Relocation allowance up to £5,000

Welcome bonus up to £5,000

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. We are looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to step into an additional Clinical Lead role, joining our established Clinical Lead team within a six-site practice in Essex. This is a key position for a confident clinician who enjoys a varied caseload while helping to shape clinical standards, support colleagues, and contribute to the continued growth of our practice.

You won’t be leading alone, you’ll work alongside our existing senior leadership group, adding your experience and perspective to a collaborative Clinical Lead structure that already supports our teams across all sites. This role has been created to strengthen our leadership capacity as we continue to expand, evolve, and invest in clinical excellence.

A Role That Balances Clinical Work and Leadership

You’re an experienced Veterinary Surgeon with RCVS registration, strong clinical capability, and a natural ability to support and guide others.

You will play a key role in shaping clinical direction, supporting less experienced vets, and working closely with the wider leadership team, whilst continuing to enjoy hands-on clinical work across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics. You’ll have the opportunity to influence how the practice grows and evolves, contributing to clinical standards, continuous improvement and a strong, collaborative culture amongst our six clinics.

As an established six-site small animal practice, we have a large clinical team supported by experienced support staff we offer strong support for certificate development and clinical interests across the team.

If you’re an experienced vet ready to shape the future of a well-established practice while continuing hands-on work, this could be the perfect next step.

Clinical Responsibilities

• You’ll contribute to shaping clinical direction and standards.
• Support less experienced vets and work with the wider leadership team.
• Continue hands-on clinical work across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics.
• Influence how the practice grows, evolves, and maintains a strong, collaborative culture.
• Operate within a six-site six-clinic environment across a broad caseload.

Qualifications

• RCVS registration and strong clinical capability.
• Experience in a senior role is advantageous; ability to communicate well and build relationships.
• Ability to create an environment where people feel supported to do their best work.

Clinical Resources and Working Environment

• Broad mix of patients including cats, dogs, small furries and wildlife; caseload includes routine work and complex cases.
• Access to ultrasound, endoscopy, ECG, full IDEXX lab, digital and dental x-ray, and a range of laparoscopic and orthopedic equipment.
• Main site with separate cat and dog areas, multiple consult rooms, three theatres, dedicated imaging and lab spaces, purpose-built wards, and staff facilities; opportunities to work across multiple branches.
• Shifts: 40 hours over four days, 8:00–18:30 last appointment; 1 in 5 Saturday mornings; 1 in 8 emergency day cover for own clients; no on-call; weekend time off balanced with rest days.

What We Offer

• 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.

Salary of up to £75,000 DOE