Practice Business Manager

Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Bishops Stortford is seeking a Practice Business Manager to oversee non-clinical operations and support the practice’s growth. The role requires business management experience and offers mentorship from current leaders. With no out-of-hours work and a supportive environment, this position is ideal for someone looking to make a significant impact while maintaining work-life balance.

Benefits

Salary between £35,000 and £45,000

Five weeks holiday plus bank holidays

Company pension

Relocation package up to £3,000

CPD encouraged and funded

Bring your dog to work

Qualifications

• Experience in managing operations and teams.
• Proven ability in financial administration.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical directors for operational efficiency.
• Oversee payroll and financial processes.
• Manage practice facilities and supplies.

Skills

Business management experience

Proactive approach

Data analysis

Tools

Sage Accounting & Payroll

Job description

Join our supportive and friendly team at Bishop’s Stortford Vets, where you can make a real impact in a rewarding leadership role at the heart of our thriving, growing practice.

Bishop’s Stortford Vets is an independent small animal hospital in beautiful Hertfordshire, which has been part of the community for over 120 years. We achieved RCVS-accredited status in 1985 and continually invest in the latest equipment and training to provide the highest standards of patient and client care. We also have exciting plans ahead, with an extensive redevelopment on the way.

Our fantastic Practice Manager, Neil, joined us in 2006 after spending 17 years in the banking sector. At that time, we had a team of 26. Today, we’ve grown to a team of 60, with two branch practices in Saffron Walden and Stanstead Abbots. Last year, Neil moved to a part-time role, and Rosie joined the team as Assistant Practice Manager. Rosie has now stepped into the Practice Manager role, overseeing the clinical and HR aspects of the practice. With Neil now planning to retire in 2026, we are looking for a Practice Business Manager to work alongside Rosie. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a key leadership role, contribute to the future success of the practice, and support the wider team.

“I have been the Practice Manager here since 2006, and I love working with my colleagues. Saying ‘I like my job’ may seem a simplistic way of describing my thoughts on working here, but it certainly is true. The practice provides high-quality care to the residents of Bishops Stortford. We are always looking for ways to improve, and you could be the person who helps us take that next step. Listening to the team is just as important as listening to clients; just because you are new or may be inexperienced does not mean you don’t have great ideas. We encourage you to speak up and let us know how we can do things better.

Supportive is another word I would use to describe working here. It's so nice to be in an environment where you feel you can discuss your needs and aspirations without feeling unheard. If you want to improve your skill set, we will support you with training and guidance to help you achieve your aims. If you are adaptable, work well with others, and are keen to support your team, let us know. We probably have the job you are looking for.” Neil, Practice Manage

Our team of 16 vets have many years of experience and a wide range of interests. With certificate holders in small animal internal medicine, surgery and ophthalmology, we can work up and manage the majority of cases in-house, including orthopaedic and most soft tissue surgeries. We have a superb nursing team of 29 RVNS, SVNs, and ACAs and an excellent admin team who keep everything running smoothly. We are also fortunate to have the expertise of our in-house laboratory manager and a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist, enabling us to offer hydrotherapy onsite.

What does our team say about us?

“I have worked at BSVH for over 18 years, starting as a receptionist for a few hours a week. Over the following years, my hours gradually increased, and I now work full-time, splitting my time between reception and office administration. I really enjoy working here, and although it may seem a little cliche, I do feel that I leave home in the morning and come into my second family at work. The partners and practice manager have been very supportive of my needs over the years at work and in my personal life, and I'm sure most of us here feel the same.

We are a close team and welcome and support all new team members. After a few months, I think most newcomers feel part of the team. BSVH is an interesting place to work, and every day is different. Although we are a much larger practice than when I first started working here, we still offer a high level of care with a personal touch, which our patients and their owners appreciate. I would thoroughly recommend a career at BSVH.” Jo Receptionist/Office Administrator

“It’s a genuinely lovely and supportive practice. The partners have always focused on patient care, not targets or incentives, so you can concentrate on doing a great job. As an independent practice, we can really focus on what matters to us and what we need within our practice, and I feel that it really shows in both our team’s engagement and in the level of service that we offer our patients.” Poppy MRCVS

“I began working at Bishops Stortford 18 months ago as a new graduate vet, and I haven’t looked back since. For me, it has been a great place to begin clinical practice. From day one, I have been actively encouraged to follow up on my own cases and treatment plans, backed by the support of my colleagues, where I’ve felt it’s needed. Having graduated during a global pandemic, this was very important to me. I was initially given additional support to ensure I was just as confident in my abilities as the rest of the team was from the start. BSVH has helped to shape who I am as a vet, and I look forward to plenty more learning and laughs with the team.” Aphra MRCVS

"I have worked at Bishops Stortford since July 2016 and have seen many ups and some downs, as is inevitable in the life of a busy practice. However, through all of this time, I have been proud to be part of a hardworking and caring team that always strives to work to the best of our ability, and I like to think we provide the best standard of care we can. The clinical directors have always been very supportive both in helping achieve clinical progression goals and with personal issues. Especially after the trials of the pandemic, I struggled with anxiety and burnout. Bringing my concerns to the directors, I was able to make changes to my working days and arrange a sabbatical, taking some time from work to reset and renew my interest and energy for the veterinary life!" Sarah MRCVS

About the role

Our practice is thriving, and to continue this momentum, we’ve created a brand-new Practice Business Manager role to support Rosie with the non-clinical, operational running of our busy hospital. This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved at a strategic level, working closely with the senior leadership team on the business side of the practice.

We are looking for someone with business management experience and a proactive approach to help drive the practice's future. Veterinary experience is not essential, but could be useful in understanding the specific needs of the practice.

Until Neil’s planned retirement in 2026, you will work closely with him to gain invaluable hands-on experience and insight into the day-to-day running of the practice, ensuring a smooth and well-supported transition. In addition to this mentorship, we’re happy to support professional development through management certifications or relevant leadership courses.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Proactively supporting Rosie and the Clinical Directors on practice operations, with some role overlap with Rosie to provide holiday cover and ensure continuity.
• Evaluating and monitoring practice performance through data analysis and reporting.
• Overseeing payroll processes and financial administration, including Sage Accounting & Payroll, HMRC submissions, and debtor management.
• Managing supplier relationships, utilities, and service contracts, ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability.
• Handling facilities management, coordinating maintenance, repairs, and general upkeep.
• Playing a pivotal role in planning and delivering our major rebuilding and refurbishment projects over the next 18 to 24 months.
• Supporting IT systems and ensuring effective use of practice management software.
• Professionally managing client feedback and non-clinical complaints to exceed client expectations.

We value everyone’s work-life balance, and the rota for this role is Monday-Friday (8.30-5). There is no out-of-hours or routine weekend work.

The local area and what we get up to outside of work

Bishops Stortford is a pretty market town, with plenty of cafés, restaurants and great schools, all surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. Many team members have dogs, so we have our own ‘doggie work team’ who join us in practice and walks during breaks. The practice is also just across the road from the local leisure centre for those who want a swim or workout before or after work, plus a large park for lunchtime walks. We enjoy getting together as a team and are busy organising our summer BBQ.

The area offers many outdoor activities, such as cycling, walking, open-water swimming, and fishing at nearby lakes, not to mention that we’re just over an hour from the Essex coast. There are excellent rail links, with a direct train service to London Liverpool Street that takes approximately 45 minutes, one to Cambridge that takes 30 minutes, and Stansted Airport is just 15 minutes away. So, keen travellers will find it easy to jet off for a weekend getaway.

We offer:

• Salary of £35,000to £45,000
• Monday-Friday (8.30-5)
• CPD encouraged, with management certification fully supported and funded
• Relocation package up to £3,000
• Five weeks' holiday, plus bank holidays
• Bring your dog to work
• Company pension

If you would like to learn more about us, please feel free to call us for an informal chat or apply now!