Lead Veterinary Surgeon (Veterinary Surgeon)

Tempus Recruitment; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join a well-established small-animal practice in Cheltenham. This full-time role offers the opportunity to provide clinical leadership within a supportive team, ensuring the delivery of exceptional care to clients and patients. With flexible hours and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and generous annual leave, this position is perfect for a proactive candidate looking to make a significant impact in veterinary care. Join a dedicated team committed to excellence in a picturesque setting.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Health Cash Plan

Life Assurance

Annual Leave

Clinical CPD Funding

Cycle to Work Scheme

Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan

Discounts on Products and Services

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering exceptional patient and client care.
• Experience in managing and mentoring a veterinary team.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for clinical leadership of the veterinary team.
• Develop tailored treatment and care plans for patients.

Skills

Clinical Leadership

Veterinary Surgery

Patient Care

Team Management

Education

RCVS Registration

Veterinary Degree

Job description

Lead Veterinary Surgeon (Veterinary Surgeon)

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This range is provided by Tempus Recruitment. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

The Package

• Private Medical Insurance from day one.
• Health cash plan from day one (covering dental, physio, and optical services) with 24/7 Private GP Service.
• Life Assurance 3 x salary.
• Access to 24-hour counselling by phone or in person should you feel you need support.
• 5 weeks’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 6 weeks with length of service.
• An additional ‘Day for You’, a paid day’s leave for you to use as you wish.
• Clinical CPD: £1,500 per year plus 3 days’ paid leave.
• Internal CPD and access to Clinical Communities.
• Funded certificate opportunities.
• VDS, RCVS, and BVA fees paid.
• Sabbatical based on length of service.
• Interest-free Season Ticket Loan.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Discounts on products and services.
• Support for Certificates of Sponsorship for a Tier 2 (General) Visa and relocation support.

Job Description

Introduction

An experienced Lead Veterinary Surgeon is needed to join a well-established small-animal practice in Cheltenham. The position offers clinical leadership within a supportive team environment in a picturesque area, with flexible hours and an excellent benefits package.

Our client is a corporately owned practice offering a wide range of services, including lap spays, a separate dental theatre, imaging suite, spacious wards, in-house lab, and diagnostic equipment. The team includes experienced veterinary surgeons with special interests in surgery, cardiology, and ophthalmology. The clinic is well-equipped to provide comprehensive and compassionate patient care.

Working Hours / Rota

This is a full-time position, with 40 hours per week and a fair share of weekends. The role offers a structured rota to ensure work-life balance while contributing to the clinical leadership of the team.

Role Description

As the Lead Vet, you will be responsible for the clinical leadership of the veterinary team, ensuring the delivery of exceptional care to clients, patients, and colleagues. You will maintain the highest standards of regulatory, operational, and practice compliance. Working closely with the Practice Manager, you will also be responsible for maximizing the clinic’s commercial performance. The role includes developing tailored treatment and care plans, mentoring team members, and promoting best clinical practices within the wider community.

Team Size

The clinic is made up of 5 veterinary surgeons, alongside qualified nurses, SVNs, and reception staff. You will work with an experienced and collaborative team dedicated to providing excellent veterinary care.

Practice Details

The practice is located in Cheltenham, a picturesque town offering plenty of local amenities, including boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars. The clinic provides a full range of services, from routine procedures to complex surgeries, supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be an RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon with strong clinical leadership skills. You will have a proven track record in delivering exceptional patient and client care and have experience in managing and mentoring a veterinary team. The role requires a proactive approach to clinical leadership and the ability to implement a progressive clinical culture within the practice.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Health Care Provider

Industries

• Veterinary Services